Atlanta, GA – May 29, 2026 — Riders should prepare to tap before they ride. Beginning Saturday, May 30, 2026, MARTA will fully enforce fare payment across its rail system as new fare gates and emergency exit doors activate systemwide.

The long-awaited upgrade to the Better Breeze fare collection system means customers will no longer be able to enter paid areas without paying first. The new gates are designed to create a faster, more secure, and modern riding experience.Accepted Payment MethodsRiders can pay using any of the following options:

  • Credit or debit card
  • Mobile wallet
  • New Breeze card or ticket
  • Virtual Breeze card (available in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet)

MARTA to Require Fare Payment: What To Know

Important reminder: Old Breeze cards and the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app will no longer be accepted on the new system.Ticket Vending Machines AvailableMARTA has installed new ticket vending machines at nearly all rail stations. Officials recommend riders purchase or reload their fare media before heading to the gates, especially during this transition period.“Customers should be prepared to pay fare before entering the system to avoid getting trapped inside stations where construction is ongoing,” MARTA stated in its announcement.

What Riders Should Know

  • Have your payment method ready before approaching the gates.
  • Emergency exit doors will now be monitored and will only open in actual emergencies.
  • During the initial rollout, MARTA staff will be on site at major stations to assist riders with the new system.

The transit agency thanked customers for their patience, saying the changes are part of a broader effort to deliver “a faster, easier customer experience.”

Roders with questions can visit MARTA’s website or use the new Breeze app for more details on reloading cards and setting up virtual wallets. As the system rolls out over the coming days, some stations may experience minor delays while staff and customers adjust to the new gates.

Want to know more about Atlanta mass transit? Read our complete MARTA GUIDE.