MARTA to beef up services for 3 forthcoming, year-end events

Josh Green

Fri, 12/27/2024 – 13:31

MARTA officials are suggesting that ATL revelers not get behind the wheel and save money on ride-share services as a busy slate of year-end happenings approaches.

To help incentivize ridership, the transit system is planning to offer increased train service at stations throughout downtown, Buckhead, and elsewhere for three big events—the Peach Drop, the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Parade and Game, and the Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race—starting Tuesday.

In a media announcement, MARTA warns that rail station platforms are expected to be more crowded than usual, with many newbie riders trying to find their way around. But overall the transit system is “the safest, most efficient, and most affordable way to celebrate the New Year responsibly,” as MARTA officials put it.

A quick rundown:

PEACH DROP

Tuesday, Dec. 31

The hallowed tradition of dropping a manmade, 800-pound fruit is returning to Underground Atlanta in ’24, with the first stage opening at 6 p.m. Scheduled performers include RES, Neon Trees, and legendary rapper and songwriter Big Boi.

According to MARTA, trains will run every seven minutes on the Red/Gold Lines between Lindbergh Center Station and Airport Station, and also on the Blue/Green Lines between Ashby Station and Edgewood-Candler Park Station come Tuesday.

Following the downtown party, MARTA says extra trains will go into service to accommodate revelers.

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PEACH BOWL

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025

This pigskin clash will pit the No. 4 seed Arizona State Sun Devils against No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns. It’s the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl’s first-ever College Football Playoff Quarterfinal game—and kind of a big deal.

To accommodate, MARTA says trains will run every seven minutes on the Red/Gold Lines between Lindbergh Center Station and Airport Station, and also on the Blue/Green Lines between Ashby Station and King Memorial Station.

After the game, expect extra trains to help move the masses.

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POLAR OPPOSITE RACE

Saturday, Jan. 4

Starting at 8:15 a.m., this inaugural event will be just like the regular Peachtree Road Race—apart from happening in winter and in reverse, starting at Piedmont Park and finishing at Lenox Square. Up to 5,000 runners are expected.

Trains will run every seven minutes on the Red/Gold Lines between Lindbergh Center Station and Airport Station, and also on the Blue/Green Lines between Ashby Station and Candler Park Station, per MARTA. Expect extra trains after the race, too.

ALSO OF NOTE

MARTA says uniformed police and MARTA Transit Ambassadors will be posted at rail stations for assistance.

Check on parking availability here, and download the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app to pay fares with smartphones in advance and save time.

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