A Better Breeze Is Coming

Tap. Ride. Go.

A better Breeze is coming to MARTA beginning March 28, 2026, and for everyday riders in Buckhead and across Atlanta, it is a clear upgrade to how transit fits into daily life. The new system is designed to make riding easier, faster, and more flexible, whether you commute every day or just a few times a week. The biggest change riders will notice is how simple it becomes to pay. With better Breeze, you will no longer need to plan ahead or manage multiple cards and apps just to get on a train or bus. Riders will be able to:

• Tap a credit or debit card directly at faregates or bus validators

• Use a mobile wallet on a phone or watch

• Ride with a new, account based Breeze card

• Use a new Breeze mobile app launching in April

Fares are not changing. A one way trip will still cost $2.50. What does change is the experience. New faregates and equipment are designed to be faster and more reliable, helping reduce delays and confusion at stations. The system works across rail, bus, streetcar, Mobility, and regional partners, creating a more consistent ride no matter how you travel. There is an important transition period to plan for. Current Breeze cards and the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app will not work on the new system. Any remaining balance on your current card or app must be used before it expires, as balances do not carry over.

Key dates to keep in mind include:

• March 28 through May 2, 2026: Both fare systems will operate during the transition period

• May 2, 2026: Final day old Breeze fare media can be used

• Any unused balance after May 2 will be lost

Starting Monday, January 29, 2026, the Lenox Road faregates at the intersection of Lenox Road and East Paces Ferry will temporarily close for construction as MARTA replaces older equipment. Because there is no room for temporary gate access at that entrance, riders will be redirected to emergency gates during construction. There are no changes to rail or bus schedules, and private shuttles will continue to access the bus loop.

Here is what riders should expect during the closure:

• To access trains: Use the emergency gate at the north entrance near Resurgens Plaza

• To access Bus Route 27 or shuttles: Use the lower concourse emergency gate to reach the bus loop

• All riders: Allow an extra 10 minutes for your trip and follow posted signage. Fare is still required to exit at your destination

While these short term disruptions can be inconvenient, they are part of a systemwide upgrade that will make riding simpler once the transition is complete. Better Breeze is especially helpful if your commute changes week to week or includes more than one mode of travel. Many riders combine MARTA with The Buc shuttle for short trips within Buckhead, or connect transit with walking and biking for the first or last mile. Simpler fare payment and open tap to pay make these kinds of mixed commutes easier and less stressful.

You may also be able to save money on your ride. Some workplaces participate in Livable Buckhead’s Discount MARTA Pass Program, which offers monthly unlimited MARTA passes at a reduced rate. If you ride MARTA regularly, it is worth asking your employer whether they participate or would consider joining. Taken together, better Breeze, The Buc shuttle, discounted passes, and Buckhead’s growing network of walking and biking connections make getting around more flexible and easier to stick with. Starting this spring, riding MARTA should feel less like a chore and more like the easy choice.