MARTA Rapid A-Line Features
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective public transportation system that uses dedicated bus lanes to avoid traffic congestion. Our BRT system includes features such as frequent service, electric buses, and well-designed stations with pre-payment systems to speed up boarding. BRT provides a flexible low-cost service. BRTs help improve air quality and promote sustainable urban mobility. BRT systems are designed to be fast, reliable, and accessible for passengers. Continue reading below for more information on what the Rapid A-Line BRT project has to offer.
- 14 new stations with level boarding, real-time arrival information, and off-board fare collection so you can pay before you board.
- Brand-new 60-foot articulated electric buses
- Trips every 10 to 12 minutes during peak hours
- Total travel time from Five Points south to Carver will be 12 to 15 minutes
- 85% dedicated bus lanes with transit signal priority to bypass traffic
General improvements provided by the MARTA Rapid A-Line project.
Rendering of MARTA Rapid A-Line stations
Current Status (October 2025):
Under Construction!
Follow our progress! Sign up for newsletters and construction alerts here by selecting Rapid A-Line under Expansion Projects.
Monthly Station Feature
Introduced to maximize station accessibility, the Monthly Station Feature aims to improve ease and mobility at the station for all passengers. Please check out this month’s station feature below!
Cantilevered benches enhance user experience. These benches are specifically designed with functionality and user convenience in mind, offering several key benefits, such as:
- Eliminating potential obstacles to patrons when moving about the station
- Creating enhanced ease of station maintenance and cleanliness
- Optimizing space and enhancing the station’s visual appeal
Construction Overview
Construction will impact the travel routes in several ways. Please see the information below on what you can expect during construction working hours from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM:
Construction activity will cause periodic lane reductions along MLK Jr. Drive, Mitchell Street, and Capitol Avenue. This will impact on-street parking and sidewalk access in this area. Please see the links below for more details. Please plan accordingly as these lane closures will impact travel times, sidewalks, cycle tracks, and parking lanes.
On street parking:
On street parking will be closed in locations along the route during the next phase of construction as the team continues to prepare for the future Rapid station installations and road widening. All drivers along the route should adhere to posted signage such as the restricting parking access signs. Please refrain from blocking vehicles parked in on-street parking spots along Hank Aaron between Crumley Street and Glenn Street. Any vehicles that obscure construction activity will be towed at the owners expense.
On street parking spots will be closed in the following locations:
MLK Jr. Drive between Washington Street and Shirley C. Franklin Boulevard Mitchell Street between Shirely C. Franklin Boulevard and Washington Street Capital Avenue SW between Capital Square SW and Memorial Drive SW
Construction Impacts
Please anticipate traffic lane closures and pedestrian and bicycle detours for necessary road widening work at the following locations:
-
All Revised Traffic Control Plans Along the Route (Active October 2025)
- Mitchell Street and Shirley C Franklin Boulevard : Lane closures, road closures, sidewalk closures, pedestrian, and vehicular detours surrounding Mitchell Street, Shirley C Franklin Boulevard, and Washington Street
- MLK Jr Drive and Capitol Avenue : Lane closures; sidewalk closures, pedestrian, and vehicular detours surrounding MLK Jr Drive, Piedmont Avenue, Decatur Street, and Jesse Hill Jr Drive
- Capitol Avenue : Northbound between Fulton Street and Memorial Drive
- Right exit ramp : from I-20 westbound onto Capitol Avenue
- Intersection of Hank Aaron and Haygood Avenue : Installation of platforms, utilities, and sidewalk improvements
- Hank Aaron southbound just north of the railroad tracks at McDonough Boulevard: Ongoing installation of Carver Station, including the bus turnaround lane
- Hank Aaron and Ormond Street : Lane and sidewalk closures along Hank Aaron Drive moving south from the intersection of Ormond Avenue
- MLK Jr. Drive and Piedmont Avenue : Lane and sidewalk closures along the northeast corner at the intersection of MLK Jr Drive and Piedmont Avenue
Low impact construction may continue after scheduled hours when traffic is at its lowest, but crewmembers will comply with local noise ordinances. The construction crew may also work during weekends to maintain the project schedule during periods of inclement weather. Please look for posted signage for detailed parking and lane restriction instructions when traveling the corridor.
Bus Stop Impacts:
Several existing bus stops along the corridor will be intermittently impacted by construction. Please refer to the rider alert above, which is also posted at bus stops, for information about service to bus stops during construction.
For assistance with trip planning, please visit MARTA’s
Plan a Trip web page, download the
MARTA On the Go app, or contact MARTA Customer Service at (404)848-5000. For information about MARTA’s ADA complementary paratransit service, visit the
MARTA Mobility webpage or call (404) 848-4037.
Project Overview
Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – now known as MARTA Rapid A-Line, will provide a 5-mile roundtrip route that connects Downtown Atlanta to the Capitol Gateway, Summerhill, Peoplestown, and the Atlanta BeltLine with fast, frequent premium transit service. Connections to
MARTA’s heavy rail system will be provided at Five Points, Georgia State, and Garnett stations.
The project is funded through a Federal TIGER Grant and the More MARTA program with the City of Atlanta. Planning and design work took place between Spring 2019 and Summer 2022. Following preliminary utility work that started in 2022, construction kicked off with an official groundbreaking in June 2023. Due to the nature of construction and unexpected delays, construction will be completed after 2025 with revenue service beginning thereafter.
Project Map:
Resources:
Community engagement on the planning and design for this project has been taking place since 2019. Please see the materials below for a variety of presentations and other project information.
Project Information:
Previous public meetings:
*This material is based upon work supported by the USDOT under FTA FY 2017 TIGER Grant No. GA 2020-022-00. Any opinion, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the USDOT.
Previously Released Newsletters:
Previously Released Construction Alerts:
Contact
For general project questions, contact our MARTA Rapid Response Team:
Houston Harris & Brett Conn
[email protected]
404.848.3006
Follow our progress! Sign up for project email updates
here by selecting Rapid Summerhill under Expansion Projects.