MARTA Asks Public to ‘Design Their Ride’

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is asking the public to weigh in on interior features of its 254 new Stadler railcars that will start arriving in 2023.

Stadler was awarded the $646 million contract for 127 two-car rapid transit trainsets (with an options for up to 50 additional sets) in 2019.

Some interior elements, like the open gangway between each pair of cars, have been determined, but the public can express priorities and preferences by voting on options for seating, luggage storage, bike areas, maps/wayfinding, handrails/stanchions, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility (download the initial railcar mockup presentation below). MARTA will seek feedback on exterior features in the coming months.

“Most important, these new railcars will provide a safer, more efficient ride, improving reliability and reducing rail delays caused by the aging fleet,” MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker said. “We also want these trains to be comfortable, look good, and have all the bells and whistles that make riding convenient and enjoyable.”

Regular and potential riders may provide input via the MARTA homepage or its social media pages.

In other developments, Knorr Brake Company LLC (KBC), the U.S. passenger rail subsidiary of Knorr-Bremse, late last month secured a subcontract with Stadler to supply braking systems for the new MARTA fleet.

Download the Initial Railcar Mockup Presentation: