MARTA
At the State of MARTA event on Jan. 30, General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood reported the initiatives under way that will “define the future of transit in metro Atlanta, addressing the region’s growing population and increasing transportation needs.” He also unveiled the first CQ400 train from Stadler; MARTA in 2019 awarded the $646 million contract for 254 rapid transit cars, to be delivered by the end of 2028, and in 2022 revealed the cars’ exterior design.
“When I stepped onto that new train this morning, it felt like stepping into the future,” Greenwood said during the event. “These new railcars are an inspiration to everyone at MARTA and to our customers who will get to experience a cleaner and safer ride—and hopefully one that shows them how transit can make their lives easier and their trip more enjoyable. The future of transit begins now at MARTA, and the State of MARTA is strong.”
During Greenwood’s State of MARTA address, he highlighted several key projects under way:
- CQ400 Railcars: The new cars feature an open gangway design, upgraded lighting and seating, digital displays, charging stations, and improved safety measures. “The first batch” of cars, MARTA said, will be “arriving for testing and planned deployment later this year.”
- Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC): MARTA in December awarded Stadler Signaling North America a $500 million contract to equip its rapid transit network with Stadler’s NOVA Pro CBTC technology.
- Zero-Emissions Vehicles: MARTA Rapid Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines will debut along the Summerhill corridor this year. They will feature zero-emissions vehicles equipped with wireless charging, custom interiors, and ADA-friendly platforms.
- NextGen Bus Network: MARTA said its comprehensive bus network redesign will offer faster, more reliable service. Frequent service routes will expand from five to 18 corridors, providing 15-minute service to 245% more riders. The new network, the transit authority said, will also feature consistent seven-day service and 12 on-demand zones for underserved areas.
- Fare Payment Upgrades: MARTA’s AFC 2.0 system will allow riders to use credit cards, smartphones and smartwatches for seamless entry. Additionally, the transit authority said, improved faregates will improve security and accessibility.
Greenwood also addressed MARTA’s work under way to improve the customer experience. He said the transit authority is boosting safety through its real-time crime center, joint bike patrols, and expanded MARTA Police presence. Additionally, he touched on transit-oriented development. Projects like Marchon at King Memorial and Quill at Candler Park are said to have transformed station areas into vibrant, walkable communities, addressing housing affordability while fostering economic growth. Future projects at Indian Creek and Kensington are slated to do the same. Finally, real-time train arrival information, a redesigned MARTA app, and updated station information screens will ensure riders have the tools they need for a smooth transit experience, according to MARTA.
Greenwood said MARTA is undertaking its largest system expansion and modernization effort since its founding, with efforts under way to complete:
- New MARTA Rapid Lines: Construction is continuing on the MARTA Rapid Summerhill line, with additional lines planned for Campbellton Road, Southlake, and SR-54. These projects aim to transport riders more efficiently through congested areas and connect them to the larger MARTA network, according to the transit authority.
- Transit Hubs: New transit hubs in Clayton County, South DeKalb, and Stonecrest will improve connectivity and access for bus customers.
- Station Modernization: MARTA is investing $1 billion to upgrade all 38 rail stations and will soon begin a project at Five Points Station to create a transit hub and city center.
Additionally, Greenwood discussed MARTA’s commitment to “preparing future leaders through partnerships with organizations like Cristo Rey High School, which offers students valuable work experience.” The transit authority offers an Apprenticeship Program for bus technicians, as well.
“The future is now, and it’s happening at MARTA,” MARTA Board Chair Jennifer Ide said. “We are breaking ground, launching innovative services, and expanding our system to meet the needs of our growing region. Together, we’re building a brighter, more connected future for metro Atlanta.”
Sound Transit
The second segment of Link 2 Line service—the new 3.4-mile, two-station Downtown Redmond Link Extension—will open for service May 10, with two-car trains running every 10 minutes, 16 hours per day, Sound Transit reported Jan. 30 (see map, below). The initial segment of the 2 Line between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Station launched April 27, 2024.
“In just a few short months, we will open two new stations that will provide more connections and economic opportunity for workers, students and visitors throughout the region,” Snohomish County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dave Somers said during the Jan. 30 announcement. “The people who live, work, and play here deserve a quality system that takes them out of traffic and on to their next destination.”
“Building on last year’s opening of the 2 Line and looking forward to the connection across Lake Washington this year, the opening of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension continues the Eastside’s transformation and welcomes a new era that will make life better for people across our region,” added King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Vice Chair Claudia Balducci.
Sound Transit expects the full 2 Line to open in late 2025 with the completion of the 1-90 segment of East Link. When finished, the I-90 segment will add the Mercer Island and Judkins Park stations to the 2 Line and connect to the 1 Line at the International District/Chinatown Station in downtown Seattle.
Starting May 10, the 2 Line will serve the following stations:
- South Bellevue
- East Main
- Bellevue Downtown
- Wilburton
- Spring District
- BelRed
- Overlake Village
- Redmond Technology
- Marymoor Village
- Downtown Redmond
Service will run from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days per week, and connect with the regional transit network at South Bellevue, Bellevue Downtown, Redmond Technology, Marymoor Village, and Downtown Redmond stations.
Separately, Sound Transit recently adopted the name Pinehurst Station for the NE 130th Infill Station Project.
MTA
MTA on Jan. 30 reported “significant progress” on its efforts to combat fare evasion. From June 2024 through December 2024, subway fare evasion was down 26%—from 14% of subway riders evading the fare to 10%—and local and express bus network fare evasion was down by 9.1%—from 50% of riders evading the fare last summer, down to 45%.
According to MTA’s Blue-Ribbon Panel report, “the situation regarding fare evasion had reached crisis levels,” MTA said, with the agency losing an estimated $690 million in unpaid fares and tolls in 2022.
To drive down fare evasion, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA have utilized recommendations from the report “to advance a comprehensive strategy that has included strategic deployment of enforcement and ongoing modernization of turnstiles and fare gates, as well as other measures,” MTA said. This effort has also included strengthening coordination with the NYPD “to boost on-the-ground resources and increase the number of summonses for fare evasion.”
Following are among the results of their strategy:
- NYPD Collaboration: NYPD issued 143,100 TAB summonses for subway fare evasion in 2024, a 96% increase from 2019. NYPD also created a new uniformed Bus Enforcement Unit that has been deployed alongside the MTA’s “EAGLE Team” to support fare compliance across all five boroughs.
- Bus Fare Enforcement—MTA EAGLE Team: Following recommendations from the Blue-Ribbon Panel report, MTA said it “took a data-driven approach to optimize deployment of the EAGLE Team,” the MTA’s civilian bus fare inspection team, to the bus stops and times of day with the highest concentration of fare evaders. EAGLE Team inspectors are charged with inspecting fares on local and SBS bus routes, and with NYPD support, the officers both educate members of the community on fare payment options and issue summonses. MTA said it has stepped up EAGLE Team deployment, enforcing bus fare payment on 148,000 buses at more than 370 stops since September 2024. In 2025, the agency will also implement sensors and screens on buses to further track and deter fare evasion.
- Subway Fare Enforcement—Gate Guards: MTA has deployed unarmed gate guards across more than 208 subway stations, an expansion from 50 stations. The agency said it is “optimizing” deployments based on station characteristics, ridership patterns, and more.
- Environment—Improving the Fare Control Environment: Expanding on several successful pilots from 2024, MTA said it is rolling out “data-backed modifications” to more fare gates across the subway system and expects to see an “even greater” impact by combining efforts.
- Turnstile Modifications: “MTA has made steps to tackle evasion tactics at the turnstiles to create stronger, more resilient barriers against fare evasion,” the agency said. “This includes reconfiguration of turnstiles to prevent back-cocking at 75% of all turnstiles and installation of turnstile fins at 20 fare control areas, which have dissuaded and reduced the number of individuals jumping the turnstile.” In the coming months, MTA is slated to implement a newer generation of fins, pilot additional anti-jumping interventions, and complete anti back-cocking modifications at the remainder of the turnstiles systemwide.
- Stopping the “Superhighway” of Fare Evasion: Delaying the opening of the emergency exit gate by 15 seconds has proven to be cost-effective in pilots, reducing gate evasion by nearly 40%, according to MTA. The agency said it will roll out this delay at exit gates in at least 150 stations in 2025, beginning at 34 St-Penn Station, Canal St, 161 St-Yankee Stadium, and Jay St-MetroTech.
- Modern Fare Gates: MTA replaced traditional emergency exit gates with new, accessible wide-aisle gates at Atlantic Av-Barclays Center, 34 St-Penn Station, and Astoria Blvd, and introduced a new full array at Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av, where fare payment increased by 20% compared with 2023. MTA in December 2023 released a Request for Information (RFI) for new fare gates. After receiving and evaluating 12 responses from vendors, MTA began in-lab testing of what it called “promising gate technology.” MTA said it will be conducting in-system testing and implementation of new fare gates at 20 stations by the end of this year, and at an additional 20 stations in 2026. MTA will prioritize stations with higher ridership traffic and accessibility features and those with high fare evasion. Initial installation is scheduled to begin at 42 St-Port Authority, Delancey St-Essex St, and Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av. MTA said its proposed 2025-2029 Capital Plan “will accelerate this implementation even further, including $1.1 billion to install modern fare gates in at least 150 stations systemwide.”
- Additional Strategies to Reduce Fare Evasion: MTA in 2024 began adopting “best practices in behavioral change to further reinforce the need for fare payment,” it said. “Through campaigns that highlight the humanity of transit workers and create a sense of collective responsibility to digital signs on buses stating that fares are required, the MTA is resetting social norms around fare payment.” According to MTA, its work with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) to encourage student use of OMNY cards reinforces the importance of fare payment. Since the launch of student OMNY cards in September, there has been a 51% increase in rides and 18% increase in weekly active rides among students. The new partnership with NYCPS has resulted in consistent fraud monitoring to ensure student cards are being used by the student to which they are assigned. MTA has also created 15 Customer Service Centers that will be integrated with enrollment in Fair Fares, the City of New York’s program to provide eligible New Yorkers with half-fare MetroCards and OMNY accounts, as well as the MTA’s Reduced-Fare program.
“Fare evasion undermines the very system that moves New York City and provides essential transportation for our communities,” MTA New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said. “Our team has made real progress, driving down fare evasion for the first time in years. We will continue to explore all measures and means to ensure fare compliance and sustain a system that is equitable for all.”
