MARTA rail

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MARTA rail
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (logo).svg
MARTA CQ310 leaving Chamblee Station at night IMG 1002.JPG
MARTA Société Franco-Belge CQ310 Gold train leaving Chamblee Station
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerMARTA
LocaleAtlanta, Fulton and DeKalb Counties, Georgia
TerminiNorth Springs (Red)
Doraville (Gold)
Indian Creek (Blue)
Edgewood/Candler Park (Green)
Airport (Red/Gold)
H.E. Holmes (Blue)
Bankhead (Green)
Stations38 (Five Points, 11 North, 4 Northeast, 7 South, 9 East, 5 West, 1 Proctor Creek)
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemMetropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
Services
Operator(s)MARTA
Daily ridership216,400[1]
History
Opened1979 (East-West)
1981 (North-South)
Technical
Line length48 mi (77 km)
CharacterElevated, underground, at-grade
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail

The MARTA Rail network, a component of the MARTA transit system in Metro Atlanta, has four service lines: the Red, Gold, Blue, and Green Lines. The Red and Gold Lines mainly run along the North-Northeast corridor, and the Blue and Green Lines run along the West-East corridor. The two corridors connect at the Five Points station and is the only station where all four lines could transfer.

Rail system[]

Schematic map of the MARTA rail system

All trains are identified by their destinations, and an automated announcement system announces train destinations, bus and other transit connections, and landmarks that at each rail station.

Each station also has a secondary designation that provides the cardinal direction (typically north, south, east, or west) and relative distance from the central Five Points station. For instance, Lindbergh Center is the sixth station from Five Points traveling north, and has the secondary designation (N6). Northeast of Lindbergh Center on the Gold Line, stations are designated with NE while continuing the numbering, so Lenox is (NE7). Similarly, Bankhead is on a branch from the main east-west trunk and is designated (P4),[2] a legacy of the original Proctor Creek name for the Green Line.[3]

During daytime hours, trains on the Red and Gold lines service the entire north-south trunk line and split north of Lindbergh Center (N6). All MARTA trains are identified with a destination on electronic LCD signs on the front and sides of the train and on each car. After 9pm, the Red Line is short-turned and runs as a shuttle between North Springs (N11) and Lindbergh Center (N6), connecting to the Gold Line at Lindbergh Center.[4] The connection is scheduled, with southbound Red trains arriving at Lindbergh Center just before Gold trains continuing southbound, and in reverse, northbound Gold trains arrive at Lindbergh just before Red trains leave northbound.

Blue and Green lines service the east-west trunk line together between Ashby (W3) and Edgewood–Candler Park (E4). At Ashby, Blue Line service continues to H.E. Holmes (W5) while Green Line trains divert to Bankhead Station (P4). Green Line service terminates at Edgewood–Candler Park, while the Blue Line continues east to Indian Creek. After 9pm, Green Line service is short-turned and operates as a shuttle between Bankhead (P4) and Vine City (stop W2). On weekends before 9pm, Green Line service is short-turned at King Memorial (stop E2).[4]

Older system maps used orange to denote the North-South line and blue for the East-West line, including the Northeast and Proctor Creek branches.[5] Lines were identified by the direction of travel and/or terminii.[3][6] MARTA switched to a color-based route naming system in October 2009, so the North-South or North Springs-Airport line became the Red Line, for example.[7] The former Northeast line that served Doraville, known as the "heart of Atlanta's Asian community", was initially named the Yellow Line, which Asian-Americans found derogatory.[8] It was renamed to the Gold Line in 2010 in response to the complaints.[9]

Many suburban stations offer designated free daily and paid long term parking in MARTA-operated park and ride lots.[10] These stations also have designated kiss and ride passenger drop off parking spaces closest to the stations' entrances.

Operation[]

The MARTA rail system operates between approximately 4:45 a.m. and 1 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.[11]

Typical system headways[11][12]
Period Headway
(min.)
Weekday Daytime
(6 AM – 7 PM)
15
(non-rush) 20
Nights
(9 PM+)
20
Weekends 20

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Atlanta, train headways were reduced to 15 minute intervals between trains during most weekday hours and 20 minutes at other times.[12]

Historical system headways
Period Headway (min.)
1979–2005 2005–2020
Weekday Rush
(6–9 AM & 3–7 PM)
8 10
Non-rush 12
Nights
(9 PM+)
15 20
Weekends 10/15 20

Originally, MARTA operated trains every eight minutes during the day on weekdays on each route. When two routes operated on the same tracks, the effective headway was cut in half, and the North-South Line operated on a combined four-minute headway between Lindbergh Center and Airport stations on the trunk. On Saturdays, it was every ten minutes (five minutes combined on the North-South Line trunk), and on Sundays it was every 15 minutes (7.5 minutes on the North-South Line trunk). At night, trains operated every 15 minutes.[13]

After budget cuts in 2005 affected the rail system, headways were increased by 25–50% to 10 minutes weekdays during rush hour and 12 minutes during midday, and 20 minutes nightly and weekends. For combined service, headways decrease to 5 minutes during rush hour and 6 minutes during midday and 10 minutes on the weekends during the day. All rail lines operate 20 minutes during late night (8:30pm weekdays, 8:50pm weekends) as the Red Line was short-turned and only ran from North Springs to Lindbergh Center; likewise the Green Line was short turned and operated from Bankhead to Vine City. Due to ongoing rail system maintenance, weekend headways were variable and could range from the normal 20 minutes to as much as 24 minutes, with the Green and Red lines occasionally being truncated all weekend. During weekends in the latter case, headways along the shared lines will increase from 10 minutes to 20 minutes.[14]

Stations[]

Blue and Green Lines
Legend
 Blue 
E9
Indian Creek
Parking
E8
Kensington
Parking
E7
Avondale
Parking
E6
Decatur
E5
East Lake
Parking
 Green 
E4
Edgewood/Candler Park
Parking
E3
Inman Park/Reynoldstown
Parking
E2
King Memorial
Parking
E1
Georgia State
0
Five Points
W1
GWCC/CNN Center
W2
Vine City
Parking
W3
Ashby
Parking
 Green 
P4
Bankhead
W4
West Lake
Parking
 Blue 
W5
Hamilton E. Holmes
Parking
Gold and Red Lines
Legend
 Red 
N11
North Springs
Parking
N10
Sandy Springs
Parking
N9
Dunwoody
Parking
N8
Medical Center
Parking
N7
Buckhead
 Gold 
NE10
Doraville
Parking
NE9
Chamblee
Parking
NE8
Brookhaven/Oglethorpe
Parking
NE7
Lenox
Parking
N6
Lindbergh Center
Parking
N5
Arts Center
N4
Midtown
N3
North Avenue
N2
Civic Center
N1
Peachtree Center Atlanta Streetcar
0
Five Points
S1
Garnett
S2
West End
Parking
S3
Oakland City
Parking
S4
Lakewood/Fort McPherson
Parking
S5
East Point
Parking
S6
College Park
Parking
South Yard & Shops
Red
Gold
S7
Airport enlarge… Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Parking
  • † denotes a terminal station
  • Until 1994, the NE codes were designated as N
Station Code Lines Jurisdiction Structure type Opened Station entries/day (2013)[15] Reference
Airport S7     College Park Elevated June 18, 1988 9,173 [16]
Arts Center N5     Atlanta Underground December 18, 1982 6,605 [17]
Ashby W3     Atlanta Underground December 22, 1979 1,791 [18]
Avondale E7   Decatur At-grade June 30, 1979 4,327 [19]
Bankhead P4   Atlanta Elevated December 12, 1992 1,903 [20]
Brookhaven/Oglethorpe NE8   Brookhaven Elevated December 15, 1984 2,357 [21]
Buckhead N7   Atlanta At-grade June 8, 1996 2,643 [22]
Chamblee NE9   Chamblee Elevated December 19, 1987 3,785 [23]
Civic Center N2     Atlanta Underground, elevated December 4, 1981 2,692 [17]
College Park S6     College Park Open-cut June 18, 1988 9,026 [16]
Decatur E6   Decatur Underground June 30, 1979 3,821 [19]
Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center W1     Atlanta At grade December 22, 1979 2,107 [18]
Doraville NE10   Doraville Elevated December 12, 1992 5,521 [20]
Dunwoody N9   Dunwoody Elevated June 8, 1996 3,545 [22]
East Lake E5   Atlanta / Decatur At-grade June 30, 1979 1,241 [19]
East Point S5     East Point Open-cut August 16, 1986 4,571 [24]
Edgewood/Candler Park E4     Atlanta Elevated June 30, 1979 1,143 [19]
Five Points* 0         Atlanta Underground (Gold and Red Lines)

At-grade (Blue and Green Lines)

December 22, 1979 (East–West)
December 4, 1981 (North–South)
19,447 [19]
Garnett S1     Atlanta Elevated December 4, 1981 1,516 [17]
Georgia State E1     Atlanta Elevated June 30, 1979 4,055 [19]
H. E. Holmes W5   Atlanta Elevated December 22, 1979 6,480 [18]
Indian Creek E9   Unincorporated DeKalb County At-grade June 26, 1993 5,612 [25]
Inman Park/Reynoldstown E3     Atlanta At-grade June 30, 1979 2,525 [19]
Kensington E8   Unincorporated DeKalb County At-grade June 26, 1993 5,950 [25]
King Memorial E2     Atlanta Elevated June 30, 1979 1,517 [19]
Lakewood/Fort McPherson S4     Atlanta / East Point Embankment December 15, 1984 2,207 [21]
Lenox NE7   Atlanta Underground December 15, 1984 3,284 [21]
Lindbergh Center N6     Atlanta Open-cut December 15, 1984 8,604 [21]
Medical Center N8   Sandy Springs At-grade June 8, 1996 1,629 [22]
Midtown N4     Atlanta Underground December 18, 1982 5,664 [17]
North Avenue N3     Atlanta Underground December 4, 1981 5,045 [17]
North Springs N11   Sandy Springs Elevated December 16, 2000 6,436 [26]
Oakland City S3     Atlanta Embankment December 15, 1984 4,432 [21]
Peachtree Center N1     Atlanta Underground September 11, 1982 7,453 [17]
Sandy Springs N10   Sandy Springs Underground December 16, 2000 2,322 [26]
Vine City W2     Atlanta At-grade December 22, 1979 821 [18]
West End S2     Atlanta Elevated September 11, 1982 7,056 [17]
West Lake W4   Atlanta At-grade December 22, 1979 1,378 [18]

Rolling stock[]

MARTA currently operates around 307 married paired rail cars which can operate at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h). The trains are powered by an electrified third rail and can be operated in any combination from two to eight rail cars,[27] with six cars being the normal length for the Blue, Red and Gold rail lines, and two cars for the Green line (due to the shorter platform at Bankhead).

MARTA rail fleet
Type Manufacturer Image Fleet # Years Quantity built Constructed In service Traction motors Notes
CQ310 Société Franco-Belge CQ310 switching tracks.jpg 101–200 1979–1981 98 1976–1980 95 1508C (Adtranz/Bombardier MITRAC)[a] 111–112 converted to work cars
101 unpaired. 103–104 retired after 2019 derailment.
501–520 20 0 All single units. Cars are retired and currently located at Avondale Yard.
CQ311 Hitachi Atlanta August 2016 44 (MARTA Gold Line).jpg 201–320 1984–1988 120 1982–1985 120 Some units are out of service due to the process of Life Extension work from Kinki Sharyo. 118 cars will be refurbished.[28]
CQ312 AnsaldoBreda[29] Marta Rail Breda.jpg 601–664, 667–702 2001–2005 100 1998–2000 100 Ordered from Breda before creation of AnsaldoBreda. Car numbers 701 and 702 would have been 665 and 666 but were purposely numbered 701 and 702 instead due to negative connotations with 666.[30][31]
CQ400 Stadler Rail TBA 2023– 254 on order + 100 options[32] 2020–present 0 TBA Currently on order. Scheduled to enter service in 2023. Will replace all current rail cars.

In 2002, Alstom was contracted by MARTA to overhaul all 218 CQ310 and CQ311 cars as part of a $246m refurbishment contract.[33] The rehabilitated cars feature upgraded passenger amenities and upgraded propulsion and train control hardware. The first rehabilitated cars began service on March 12, 2006. The rehabilitation was completed on February 23, 2009.[34]

In 2011, Alstom was awarded an additional $117 million 5-year contract with MARTA to upgrade its train control and SCADA systems.[35] The new technology is designed to provide MARTA's rail team with more efficient operations, better communication between trains and stations, enhanced monitoring capabilities, quicker response times, and reduced maintenance costs.[36] Included in the project is an upgrade for all 318 rail cars to install an enhanced Fault Identification and Monitoring System (FIMS) and full color driver's display built by Quester Tangent.[37] The new systems passed "mini fleet" testing in 2015.

On December 1, 2017, MARTA posted a notice of intent to award a $146 million contract for the "Rail Car Life Extension Program" to Kinki Sharyo International LLC. On January 26, 2018, Kinki Sharyo signed the $146 million rail car refurbishment contract. The work starts with 118 cars, with 94 more options.[38][39]

On March 29, 2019, Stadler Rail was awarded the contract to manufacture up to 354 new CQ400 rail cars for MARTA. These cars, which will enter into service in 2023, will replace the entire fleet of CQ310, CQ311, and CQ312 trains and provide expansion to the rail fleet.[40][41]

Historical timeline[]

This is a list of key dates which led to the formation of the MARTA stations along the established rapid rail lines.[42]

  • June 30, 1979 – MARTA's first train, the East Line, began operating between Avondale and Five Points Station. It also marked the start of MARTA's combined bus and rail service.
  • December 22, 1979 – MARTA's second train, the West Line, began operating between Hightower (H.E. Holmes) and Five Points Station.
  • September 1982 – the Peachtree Center and West End stations, along the North Line began service.
  • December 1982 – the Arts Center and Midtown stations began service.
  • December 1984 – five new stations opened: Lindbergh Center, Lenox, Brookhaven, Oakland City and Lakewood/Fort McPherson. The South Line was introduced.
  • August 1986 – the East Point Station opened, extending the South Line by about two miles. A little more than a year later, the Chamblee Station began service and served as the temporary end of the Northeast Line.
  • June 18, 1988 – the Airport Station opens, and becomes the southern terminus of the North-South Line.
  • December 12, 1992 – The Bankhead Station/Proctor Creek Line went into service.
  • December 29, 1992 – The Doraville Station opens and becomes the northern terminus of the Northeast Line.
  • June 26, 1993 – MARTA extended East Line services through Kensington to Indian Creek Station – the first time the rail line went beyond the I-285 perimeter.
  • June 8, 1996 – MARTA extended North Line services through Buckhead, Medical Center and Dunwoody Stations.
  • 1999 – MARTA announced a partnership with BellSouth to create the Lindbergh Transit Oriented Development (TOD), a live, work and play community built around a rail station and the largest multi-use development of its kind in the United States at the time.
  • December 16, 2000 – MARTA opened two new rail stations – Sandy Springs and North Springs – on the North Line.
  • October 1, 2009 – MARTA renames its lines based on colors instead of directions.
  • February 2010 – MARTA agrees to rename the Yellow Line as the Gold Line in response to outcry from members of the Doraville Asian community.[43]

Gallery[]

See also[]

Route map:

KML is from Wikidata

Notes[]

  1. ^ Marketed originally by Adtranz until its acquisition by Bombardier. PWM 3-phase AC induction motors with 2-level IGBT–VVVF inverters. Continuous rating is 150 hp (110 kW).

References[]

  1. ^ "Public Transportation Ridership Report" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2019-02-21.
  2. ^ "MARTA Maps". Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b "MARTA Rail Map" (PDF). Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. August 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 19, 2009.
  4. ^ a b "Interior Rail Map" (PDF). Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  5. ^ "MARTA Rail Map" (PDF). Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 19, 2000.
  6. ^ Hart, Ariel (October 2, 2009). "MARTA lines to be color-coded". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  7. ^ "MARTA launches color-coded rail system". Metro Magazine. October 2, 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  8. ^ Chapman, Dan (February 9, 2010). "MARTA 'yellow line' to Doraville angers some in Asian community". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  9. ^ Hart, Ariel (February 12, 2010). "MARTA 'yellow' line to be renamed 'gold'". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Parking Availability & Fees". Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  11. ^ a b "How to Ride". Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  12. ^ a b "COVID-19 Service Modifications". Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. April 24, 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Archived copy". www.itsmarta.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2001. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ^ "MARTA".
  15. ^ "2014 Transportation Fact Book" (PDF). Atlanta Regional Commission. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  16. ^ a b Roughton, Jr., Bert (June 18, 1988). "Rail-to-air link completed with opening of airport station". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. A1.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g Beasley, David; Kathey Alexander (February 23, 1992). "After two decades, MARTA's course uncertain". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. A1.
  18. ^ a b c d e AP Reporters (December 21, 1979). "Atlanta Rapid rail opens second leg". The Rock Hill Herald. p. 14.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h Hairston, Julie B. (June 30, 2004). "MARTA marks 25 years of trains: Next stop unknown". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. B1.
  20. ^ a b Beasley, David (December 6, 1992). "MARTA trains to roll at Bankhead, Doraville". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E15.
  21. ^ a b c d e AJC Editorial Staff (May 16, 1985). "Atlanta's air, rail transportation among nation's best". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E5.
  22. ^ a b c Goldberg, David (June 8, 1996). "Suburban transit – North Line worth risk for MARTA". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E2.
  23. ^ Roughton, Jr., Bert (December 20, 1987). "MARTA officials open Chamblee rail station amid union protests". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. B3.
  24. ^ Roughton, Jr., Bert (August 17, 1986). "East Point starts a new era – First MARTA train pulls in as city observes 99th year". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. B1.
  25. ^ a b Beasley, David (June 25, 1993). "Transit expansion – MARTA on the move – New stations push rail system beyond the Perimeter". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. D1.
  26. ^ a b Shelton, Stacy (December 18, 2000). "MARTA christens 2 new stations – North Fulton riders report few problems". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. B1.
  27. ^ "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report" (PDF). Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. June 30, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2007. Retrieved February 24, 2008.
  28. ^ its MARTA › More › mnwk7...PDF MINUTES WORK SESSION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ... - Marta
  29. ^ "Atlanta HRV" (PDF). AnsaldoBreda. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-10-06.
  30. ^ "MARTA Rails Around Atlanta". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-06.
  31. ^ "Hitachi Rail" (PDF). Ansaldobredainc.com.[permanent dead link]
  32. ^ Barrow, Keith. "MARTA orders 127 trainsets from Stadler". Railway Age.
  33. ^ "Atlanta Metro Rail Project". Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  34. ^ "Press Releases". Archived from the original on April 28, 2009.
  35. ^ "MARTA Signs Contract with Alstom Signaling, Inc. to Overhaul Its Aging Train Control and Rail Safety Systems". Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.
  36. ^ "Alstom to Deliver High-Tech Rail Safety Upgrades for Atlanta's MARTA". Alstom.
  37. ^ "Project: Train Monitoring System for MARTA".
  38. ^ "Recently Awarded Contracts Marta". Martabid.itsmarta.com. January 26, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  39. ^ "Kinkisharyo International Inks $146M Rail Car Refurbishment Contract with Atlanta's MARTA" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 1, 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  40. ^ Ltd, DVV Media International. "Stadler to supply up to 354 metro cars to Atlanta". Metro Report. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  41. ^ "Stadler Wins First Metro Contract in the US: 127 Trains for Atlanta". Railway News. 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  42. ^ Douglas Sams. [1] Atlanta Business Chronicle, June 6, 2008
  43. ^ "Atlanta's 'yellow' train line changed after outcry". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta: Cox Media Group, Inc. 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
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