MARTA invests in bus safety features, resumes front door boarding, onboard fare collection

Nearly $250,000 has been invested in bus safety features for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) fleet of buses.

The new features allow for the resumption of front door boarding and onboard fare collection beginning Sept. 7.

MARTA has outfitted its entire fleet of 539 buses with polycarbonate shields around bus operator cabs, antimicrobial air filters that clean the air onboard and mask dispensers.

“At the onset of this health crisis, MARTA implemented operational adjustments such as rear door boarding to limit contact between operators and customers. Our most recent safety measures, installing bus operator shields and air filters, allow us to return to front door boarding and onboard fare collection,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “We are grateful to our customers for continuing to mask up and social distance, and we remain committed to making MARTA a clean, safe place for everyone who relies on essential transit service.”

Every MARTA bus now has antimicrobial air filters that remove viruses and other airborne pathogens from the circulated air onboard and a tissue-like mask dispenser mounted near the front door. For additional customer convenience, MARTA Transit Ambassadors continue to distribute masks at rail stations and bus bays throughout the system. To date, MARTA says it has handed out 459,000 masks.