MARTA Reveals New Railcar Exterior Design

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Last fall, MARTA riders and potential riders cast their votes for the exterior design of the agency’s new railcars. The “Minimalist: Option A” (pictured above) won by a narrow margin.

Last fall, MARTA riders and potential riders cast their votes for the exterior design of the agency’s new railcars. The “Minimalist: Option A” (pictured above) won by a narrow margin.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) riders have spoken. The transit agency on Jan. 12 unveiled their exterior graphic-design choice for the 254 rapid transit cars that will start arriving from Stadler in 2023.

During a month-long campaign last fall, riders and potential riders could vote for one of four themed graphic options—“inspired by MARTA colors, and the dynamism and movement of trains”—on the agency’s website or social media pages.

The “Minimalist: Option A” design (pictured above) won with 2,193 total votes, beating by a narrow margin “Flowing Ribbons: Option A,” which garnered 2,186 votes (below).

“Flowing Ribbons: Option A”

The most prominent feature of the “Minimalist” design is on the front of the train, MARTA said, “where a lighted ‘smile’ denotes the color of the respective rail line—Red, Gold, Green or Blue—so riders will know from a distance that their train is approaching.” 

MARTA’s three iconic colors “flow in a strip along the vehicles’ flanks, carrying your eye down the length of the train and highlighting the aerodynamic design,” the transit agency added.

In 2019, Stadler landed the $646 million contract to build the cars, which will be delivered by the end of 2028.

Tags: , , ,