‘The future is now:’ MARTA unveils new railcars at annual address

MARTA’s got a brand new look.

The regional transit agency gave community members a sneak peek of its new railcars on Jan. 30. The updated fleet will be fully rolled out in early 2026. 

On Thursday morning, community members crowded on the Lindbergh Center MARTA station platform to watch the agency’s CEO, Collie Greenwood, roll in on a major MARTA development: new railcars. 

It’s a big upgrade from the existing railcars, with updated seating and lights to go along with digital map displays, device charging stations and wider doors. The new cars also feature open gangways for easier movement between cars. 

The official railcars won’t fully launch until 2026, but Atlanta residents are already praising the move. Design principal and Beltline rail advocate Matthew Rao called it the agency’s biggest development in 25 years. 

“This is a wholesale change in MARTA’s ability to deliver a world-class product,” Rao said. 

Rao used MARTA when it first opened in 1979, and he’s been a loyal rider ever since. While the resident said he has criticized MARTA before, he thinks the new cars are a “buoying of the entire Atlanta community.”

Rao wasn’t the only high-energy attendee. As the crowd explored the new railcars, screens repeated a message: “The future is now.” 

It was echoed by MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood as he took the stage after the preview to give the annual State of MARTA address hosted by the transit agency and the Council for Quality Growth. Throughout the presentation, he teased several developments for the bus and rail systems in the coming years. 

Much of the presentation focused on streamlining and improving existing infrastructure. Greenwood announced improvements to the payment systems, where riders will now be able to use credit cards, smartphones and smartwatches to pay for rides. He also announced enhanced safety measures in the works. 

The announcement comes in the weeks following the murder of MARTA bus driver Leroy Ramos over an alleged fare dispute on Jan. 3,  which sparked demands for better safety measures among transit workers. 

Greenwood said MARTA is now working on security with joint bike patrols and establishing a real-time crime center. The agency is also enhancing and updating its existing stations. The CEO did not mention Ramos. 

The state of MARTA focused heavily on improvements to the existing bus system. Greenwood announced a strategic redesign of the bus network called Nextgen Bus Network, which will expand routes from 5 to 18 corridors of frequent service. The CEO also said that “245 percent more riders will receive service within 15 minutes.” 

He also discussed MARTA’s upcoming BRT route in Summerhill, which is set to debut this year. The bus-only lanes will feature zero-emissions vehicles with wireless charging and ADA-friendly platforms. 

“The future of transit begins now in MARTA, and the state of MARTA is strong,” Greenwood said. 

Notably absent from the lengthy address was any mention of new MARTA rail stations. In 2024, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced four new stations at Krog Street/Hulsey Yard, Joseph E. Boone, Armour Yards and Murphy Crossing. 

Little news on the stations has come since. The highly-debated plan for light rail on the Beltline also wasn’t mentioned, though Council for Quality Growth Board Chair Clyde Higgs hinted at the transit project in his remarks. Higgs is also the President and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc.

“From its inception, the Beltline has always been about transit and economic development and shaping the city’s core,” Higgs said. 

The CEO promised the popular path would partner with MARTA to ensure the region’s transportation future. MARTA Board Chair Jennifer Ide said the cutting-edge technology and continued safety work will do just that. 

“MARTA is positioning itself as the backbone of Atlanta’s future,” Ide said.