MARTA To Cut Bus Routes, Double Up On Essential Service

ATLANTA, GA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announced Thursday it will be implementing an "essential service" plan that will reduce bus routes and double up service on the busiest routes due to the impacts of the new coronavirus.

The shift in service will go into effect on Monday, April 20. MARTA will run 40 bus routes and a new circulator service, which will provide transportation to 17 hospitals, 22 urgent care centers, 85 grocery stores and 16 job centers.

More buses will also be added to the 34 busiest routes.

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Bus ridership is down 40% due to social distancing protocols and the governor's shelter-in-place order. According to Thursday's announcement, ridership is still high enough to result in unacceptable crowding, despite MARTA's crowd mitigation efforts, such as 'Bus Full' signs and seat spacing signs.

The "essential service" plan will place the entire fleet of buses on 41 routes. All buses will have decals encouraging riders not to board a bus that has no open seats and to wait for the next bus.

MARTA police officers will be at stops along the busiest routes to assist with overcrowding.

"This Essential Service plan will serve the largest number of people and with these important destination in mind, provide as much coverage in our service area as possible," said Marta General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker in a prepared statement.