MARTA
MARTA is the common name for Atlanta's rapid transit system, consisting of a network of bus routes linked to a heavy rail metro system. It is operated by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
Shoppers in Fulton and DeKalb counties pay an extra 1% sales tax to support MARTA. Metro Atlanta's other counties, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton have refused to join the system since it was planned, instead creating their own bus systems; Cobb Community Transit in 1989 (July 10), Gwinnett County Transit in 2001 (Nov. 5), and C-TRAN in 2001 (Oct. 1) respectively. The system does not receive financial support from the state of Georgia, though it does receive U.S. federal transit subsidies and grants for capital development. By law, half of all MARTA revenues (sales tax plus fare box) must be spent on operations, half on capital expenditures like expanding the system.
Rail
Two main lines cross the city, meeting at the Five Points station downtown. The south line goes to Hartsfield International Airport, the north line to North Springs and to Chamblee and Doraville on the northeast line. The west line goes to Hamilton E. Holmes station, and the east to Indian Creek station. There is also a short stub line, the Proctor Creek branch, with one station (Bankhead), extending from the west main line after Ashby station.
The most likely expansion of the rail system at present will be an extension of the west line from Hamilton E. Holmes to Fulton Industrial Boulevard.
The north line may eventually be extended to Windward Parkway in Alpharetta with three stations. Extension of the Northeast and South lines is blocked by nonparticipating counties, though the south line may be extended another station with the planned construction of an additional terminal at the Airport.
Stations
North/south (orange line)
Bus
