MARTA NextGen Bus Network — Effective April 18, 2026
Plan an Atlanta Bus Trip with Current MARTA Routes, Times, Stops and Live Arrivals
Atlanta’s main local bus network is operated by MARTA across Fulton, DeKalb and Clayton counties. The redesigned NextGen network includes 81 fixed routes, the Rapid A-Line and 12 MARTA Reach on-demand zones.
This guide explains how to choose a route, read its PDF timetable, find the correct stop, pay the fare, track a bus, connect with rail, reach the airport and avoid using a schedule that expired before the April 2026 network change.
How to Find the Correct Atlanta Metro Bus Schedule
Use MARTA’s current route directory or trip planner. Almost every bus route changed when the NextGen Bus Network launched on April 18, 2026, so an older route number, map or saved PDF may no longer match the current trip.
Enter the destination
Start with the address, rail station, hospital, school, shopping center or airport terminal you need to reach.
Choose the route
Confirm the route number and complete route name, not only the number shown in an old search result.
Select the direction
Match the terminal or destination displayed on the bus and timetable.
Find the stop
Confirm the stop ID, correct side of the road and any temporary relocation.
Check live service
Compare the scheduled departure with the real-time prediction and active alerts.
MARTA launched the redesigned bus network on April 18, 2026. The system moved from 113 fixed routes to 81 more-direct fixed routes and added 12 MARTA Reach zones, creating 93 fixed-route and on-demand services.
Fixed bus routes81
Numbered routes plus the Rapid A-Line form the redesigned fixed-route network.
Reach zones12
On-demand curb-to-curb zones serve areas where a traditional bus route may be less efficient.
Frequent corridors17
MARTA states that 17 corridors receive service every 15 minutes or better during much of the day.
Service days7
The redesign emphasizes more-consistent frequency across weekdays and weekends.
MAR 7MARTA Reach launched
The on-demand service began before the full fixed-route redesign.
APR 18NextGen routes began
New numbers, paths, stops, frequencies and transfer patterns took effect.
MAY 2026Better Breeze conversion
New Breeze cards and contactless payment equipment replaced the previous fare system.
NOWUse current schedules
Route PDFs and profiles on the NextGen directory are the correct starting point.
Old-route help: MARTA provides a route crosswalk that compares former routes with their current replacement routes.
The directory below lists all 81 fixed routes published by MARTA. Open the official route directory to obtain the profile, timetable PDF and driving instructions for a specific route.
2 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway / Ponce de Leon Avenue
3 Martin Luther King Junior Drive
4 Moreland Avenue
5 Piedmont Road / Sandy Springs
7 Boulevard / McDonough Boulevard
10 AUC / Hollywood Road
11 Defoor Avenue / Virginia Highland
12 Howell Mill Road
14 Blandtown / Hightower Road
15 Clifton Road / Candler Road
17 Clairmont Road / North Druid Hills Road
20 South DeKalb / Downtown Atlanta
21 Memorial Drive ITP
22 Glenwood
23 Peachtree Road / Buckhead
26 James Jackson Parkway / Perry Boulevard
32 Bouldercrest Road
34 2nd Avenue / Clifton Springs Road
39 Buford Highway
42 McDaniel Street / Pryor Road
46 I-85 Access Road / Briarwood
48 I-85 Access Road / North Brookhaven
49 McDonough Boulevard / Hill Street
51 Joseph E. Boone Boulevard / Ralph McGill
52 Marietta Road
55 Jonesboro Road
Routes 66–96
66 Brownlee Road / Harbin Road
67 Peyton Place
68 Donnelly Avenue / Beecher
71 Cascade Road
73 Fulton Industrial Boulevard
74 Flat Shoals Road
75 Lawrenceville Highway
78 Cleveland Avenue
79 Sylvan Road / Hapeville
80 Headland Drive / Sandtown
81 Venetian Hills
83 Campbellton Road
84 Washington Road / Camp Creek Marketplace
85 Roswell
87 Roswell / Dunwoody
88 Dunwoody Village / Georgetown
89 Old National Highway
95 Metropolitan Parkway
96 Dogwood Drive / Virginia Avenue
Routes 104–165
104 Winters Chapel Road
109 Peachcrest Road / Columbia Drive
111 South Hairston Road / Wesley Chapel Road
114 Columbia Drive / Snapfinger Woods Drive
115 Covington Highway
116 Redan Road
117 Stone Mountain / Panola Road
118 Rockbridge Road
119 Hairston Road
120 East Ponce de Leon Avenue
121 Memorial Drive OTP / Pleasantdale
125 Clarkston / Embry Hills
127 Winn Way
128 Valley Brook Road
132 Tilly Mill Road
140 North Point Parkway
162 Stanton Road / Alison Court
165 Fairburn Road / Camp Creek Parkway
Routes 178–800
178 Mount Zion Road
180 Roosevelt Highway
182 South Fulton Parkway
184 Buffington Road
185 Alpharetta
187 Godby Road / Sullivan Road
189 Scofield Road / Creel Road
191 Riverdale / ATL International Terminal
192 Old Dixie / Tara Boulevard
193 Morrow / Jonesboro
194 Conley Road / Mount Zion
195 Forest Parkway
196 Upper Riverdale
197 Battle Creek Road
198 Southlake Parkway
800 Lovejoy
Route-number gap does not mean information is missing: MARTA does not use every number. Search the complete route name when a remembered number no longer appears.
Read the map by color
How Often Atlanta MARTA Buses Run
MARTA’s system map groups routes by typical daytime frequency. Individual trips can begin earlier, end later or run less frequently during the evening, so the route PDF still controls the exact departure.
Rapid
Dedicated rapid service
A-Line
Frequent
Red map routes
10–15 min
High access
Purple map routes
20 min
Standard
Blue map routes
30 min
Coverage
Green map routes
40+ min
Frequency is not a promise of an exact arrival: traffic, detours, operator availability and canceled trips can create a longer gap. Check the live tracker before leaving.
Useful route examples
Major Atlanta Bus Corridors and Connections
Rapid A-Line
Rapid service between Carver BRT Station and downtown Atlanta through Peoplestown, Summerhill, Georgia State and Five Points.
Hours: Approximately 5 a.m.–1 a.m.Published frequency: Every 10–12 minutes for much of the dayConstruction: Temporary stops remain at several locations
A direct route connecting the South DeKalb area with downtown Atlanta and major transfer points.
Use for: Downtown and South DeKalb tripsTransfer: Check Five Points and South DeKalb routingSchedule: Separate weekday and weekend tables
Route 23 Peachtree Road / Buckhead
Serves the Peachtree Road and Buckhead corridor, connecting commercial, residential and rail-transfer areas.
Use for: Buckhead corridor travelBefore boarding: Confirm terminal directionTraffic risk: Peachtree congestion can affect predictions
Route 39 Buford Highway
Serves the Buford Highway corridor and connects with MARTA rail and other local routes.
Use for: Buford Highway destinationsStop rule: Verify the correct side of the highwayConnection: Rail and local bus transfers
Route 191 Riverdale / ATL International Terminal
Connects Lakewood/Fort McPherson Station, Riverdale, the international terminal area and Clayton County destinations.
Weekday: Detailed all-day timetableSaturday: Approximately 45-minute pattern during much of the daySunday: Approximately 60-minute pattern during much of the day
Provides service to Lovejoy and connects with other Clayton County MARTA routes.
Area: Southern Clayton CountyTrip type: Longer suburban coverage routePlanning rule: Check first and final trips carefully
Network operating window
Atlanta MARTA Bus Hours, First Buses and Last Buses
MARTA’s current rider guide lists a broad bus-service window of approximately 5 a.m.–1 a.m. on weekdays and 5 a.m.–12:30 a.m. on weekends. Individual routes can start later, finish earlier or have long late-evening gaps.
Service
Published General Hours
Important Limitation
MARTA fixed-route buses
Weekdays: about 5 a.m.–1 a.m.
Exact first and last trips vary by route and terminal
MARTA fixed-route buses
Weekends: about 5 a.m.–12:30 a.m.
Some routes run less frequently on Saturday or Sunday
Rapid A-Line
Approximately 5 a.m.–1 a.m.
Temporary boarding locations remain during Phase One construction
MARTA Reach
6 a.m.–12 midnight daily
A ride must be requested; it does not follow a fixed timetable
MARTA Mobility
Matches fixed-route availability in the eligible service area
Eligibility and advance reservation are required
“MARTA runs until 1 a.m.” does not mean every route has a 1 a.m. departure. Open the direction-specific timetable and identify the final trip from your stop.
Official PDF viewer
View the MARTA NextGen Bus System Map
The official map shows fixed routes, frequency colors, Rapid service, MARTA Reach zones, rail lines, major transfer points, branches, park-and-ride lots and one-way or non-stop route sections.
Map-size warning: the full system map contains dense route information. On a phone, open the PDF in a new tab and zoom into the station or neighborhood you need.
How to Read a MARTA Bus Schedule PDF
MARTA’s 2026 route PDFs normally place the route map and timepoint legend on the first page and direction-specific weekday or weekend times on the second page.
Check the effective date.
Use a document marked effective April 18, 2026 or a later current date.
Read the map first.
Match the route path, terminal, rail connection and numbered timepoints.
Select the correct service day.
Monday–Friday, Saturday and Sunday may have separate columns or panels.
Select northbound, southbound, eastbound or westbound.
Confirm the terminal name because Atlanta routes do not always travel in a straight line.
Find the nearest timepoint.
The PDF lists selected reference locations, not every bus stop.
Read down the trip column.
Times across one row can belong to different trips; follow one complete trip through the table.
Recognize frequency text.
Some schedules list early departures and then state that buses continue every 10, 12, 20, 45 or 60 minutes.
Check bold afternoon times.
MARTA PDFs may show p.m. times in bold. Read the document note before assuming a repeated time is in the morning.
Estimate intermediate stops carefully.
Use the live tracker or trip planner rather than guessing when the stop lies between two timepoints.
Check alerts immediately before departure.
A valid timetable can still be affected by a canceled trip or temporary detour.
Atlanta bus rapid transit
Rapid A-Line Schedule, Stops and Phase One Rules
The Rapid A-Line connects Carver BRT Station with downtown Atlanta through Peoplestown, Ormond Street, Summerhill, the Georgia State area, Five Points and South Downtown.
Service hours
MARTA publishes Phase One service from approximately 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Typical frequency
The timetable shows buses continuing every 10–12 minutes during much of the day.
Current fare status
MARTA’s Phase One page states that fare is not being collected on the A-Line until further notice. Recheck before boarding.
Temporary stops
Several permanent platforms remain under construction. Follow the posted “New Bus Service” signs near future stations.
Dedicated lanes
Completed portions use red bus-only lanes and transit-signal priority.
Bicycle restriction
Bikes are not allowed on Rapid A-Line buses during Phase One.
Five Points and platform warning: do not wait automatically at the future platform. MARTA currently directs riders to nearby temporary boarding locations at several stations.
MARTA Reach is shared, curb-to-curb service within 12 designated zones. It replaces a fixed timetable with a requested pickup window and connections to selected bus routes or rail stations.
Operating hours
6 a.m.–12 midnight every day in all zones.
Pickup availability
MARTA states that a trip option should be available within 30 minutes of the request.
Minimum trip
A Reach trip must cover at least one-quarter mile.
Advance booking
Riders can request same-day or next-day trips, with up to four one-way trips in a rolling 48-hour period.
Current fare
The Reach FAQ states that rides are temporarily free until Better Breeze equipment is installed. The intended standard fare is $2.50.
Shared ride
The vehicle may pick up or drop off other customers before reaching your destination.
Current MARTA Reach Zones
301 West Atlanta
302 Kirkwood / Candler Park
303 County Line
304 Lakewood
305 Oakley Industrial
306 Fulton Industrial
307 East Point
308 Hillandale
309 Candler-McAfee / Belvedere Park
310 Cedar Grove
311 Gresham Park
312 North Fulton
How to Book
Mobile app
Use the MARTA Reach On-Demand Transit app.
Website
Book and manage trips through the Reach web portal.
Phone
Call 404-848-6622. Phone reservations are available 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily.
Mobility-device booking: select the mobility-aid option so an accessible vehicle space is reserved. All Reach vehicles have accessible slots.
Atlanta Airport Bus and Rail Connections
Domestic terminal
MARTA’s Red and Gold rail lines provide the primary direct connection to Airport Station at the domestic terminal. Most visitors should use rail rather than search for a local airport bus.
International terminal
Route 191 Riverdale / ATL International Terminal provides bus service between Lakewood/Fort McPherson Station, the international terminal area, Riverdale and Clayton County destinations.
Route 191 Planning Notes
Confirm Lakewood/Fort McPherson or Riverdale direction.
Use the international-terminal timepoint, not the domestic rail-station time.
Allow additional time for airport road congestion.
Keep luggage clear of the aisle and doorway.
Check Saturday and Sunday frequency separately.
Track the bus before leaving the terminal.
Terminal mistake: “Airport Station” and “ATL International Terminal” are not the same boarding location. Confirm whether your airline uses the domestic or international terminal.
Fares reviewed August 5, 2026
MARTA Bus Fare, Reduced Fare, Passes and Transfers
Standard bus fare$2.50One-way bus, rail, Rapid or Reach fare
Includes up to four free transfers within three hours when the same eligible payment method is used.
Reduced fare$1.00Approved reduced-fare riders
Available to eligible riders age 65 or older, Medicare cardholders and people with disabilities.
Mobility fixed-route fareFreeWith Mobility photo-ID Breeze card
Qualified MARTA Mobility patrons ride regular bus, rail, Rapid and Reach services free.
MARTA Mobility trip$4.00Advance-reservation paratransit trip
This is separate from riding a normal fixed-route bus with a Mobility ID card.
Pass or Product
Published Price
Best Use
1-Day pass
$9.00
Several bus and rail trips within 24 hours
2-Day pass
$14.00
Two-day visitor trip
3-Day pass
$16.00
Short Atlanta stay
4-Day pass
$19.00
Extended visitor travel
7-Day pass
$23.75
A week of frequent travel
30-Day pass
$95.00
Regular commuting
10-Trip pass
$25.00
Ten one-way trips without unlimited travel
20-Trip pass
$42.50
Frequent but non-daily travel
Accepted Payment Methods
Contactless card
Tap an eligible credit or debit card directly on the bus validator.
Mobile wallet
Apple, Google and Samsung mobile wallets are accepted.
Breeze card
A physical or virtual reloadable Breeze card costs $2 before fare is added.
Cash
Exact cash is accepted on buses, but a cash fare is one way and does not include transfers.
Transfer rule: use the exact same card, Breeze medium or mobile-wallet credential throughout the trip. A bank card and the same card inside a phone wallet are treated as different payment methods.
Scheduled versus predicted: a clock time from the PDF is the planned trip. A countdown or vehicle marker is a live prediction and can disappear when GPS data or the trip assignment changes.
How to Find the Correct MARTA Bus Stop
An intersection can have several MARTA stops serving different directions. Match the route and destination before waiting.
Route
Match number and name.
Direction
Check final destination.
Stop ID
Save the exact number.
Street side
Confirm travel direction.
Timepoint
Find the nearest PDF reference.
Alert
Check relocation or detour.
Open the route profile.
Review the map before using a live countdown.
Identify the destination sign.
The same route number can operate toward two different terminals.
Check the stop pole.
Confirm that the posted route number includes your service.
Verify the stop ID.
Use it to distinguish opposite-direction stops at the same intersection.
Arrive early.
MARTA recommends reaching the bus stop a few minutes before the scheduled time.
Signal the bus and your exit.
Make yourself visible at the stop and pull the cord or press the stop button before your destination.
Wheelchair Access, Bikes, Children, Pets and Mobility Service
Accessible fixed-route buses
Riders who can use regular buses may request ramp or lift deployment and use designated mobility-device areas.
MARTA Mobility
ADA complementary paratransit is available to approved riders who cannot use or board regular fixed-route service.
Mobility reservations
The current Mobility platform supports app, website and phone booking. Call 404-848-4212 for reservations.
Bicycles on normal buses
Every regular MARTA bus has a front rack for two bikes. Space is first come, first served.
Rapid A-Line bikes
Bikes are temporarily prohibited during Phase One service.
Reach bikes
Bikes are temporarily unavailable on Reach vehicles while temporary vehicles are in use.
Children
Up to two children 46 inches or shorter may ride free with one paying adult. MARTA’s child policy limits this benefit to children age five or younger.
Service animals and pets
Service animals may ride unconfined when under control. Other pets must be secured in a rigid carrier with a lock or latch.
Reach strollers and carts
A small personal stroller or cart is allowed when securely held and kept out of passageways. Large commercial carts are prohibited.
Accessible format or language help: call 404-848-4037. TTY schedule assistance is available at 404-848-5665.
Do not confuse the operators
MARTA Versus Other Metro Atlanta Bus Systems
“Atlanta metro bus” can also refer to county and regional operators outside MARTA’s core service area. Their route numbers, hours and fares are separate.
Shared Breeze does not mean shared schedules: several regional agencies accept Breeze, but every operator publishes its own route timetable, service calendar and fare details.
MARTA Bus Alerts, Canceled Trips, Detours and Five Points Changes
Canceled departures
MARTA may publish individual canceled trips by route, direction and departure time.
Construction detours
Road closures can move multiple stops or alter the path between two timepoints.
Rapid A-Line construction
Temporary stops remain near several future platforms during Phase One.
Five Points transformation
Bus boarding patterns in central Atlanta are affected by construction. MARTA currently directs routes serving Five Points to Forsyth Street.
Severe weather
Ice, storms and flooding may suspend lower-frequency routes or produce an emergency service plan.
Holiday service
A weekday route may use a weekend or special schedule on a holiday.
Do not hard-code a temporary detour into your normal route plan. Use the alert to find the replacement stop, then return to the standard route map after the alert expires.
Rider assistance
MARTA Customer Service, Safety and Accessibility Contacts
Routes and schedules404-848-5000
General route and customer assistance
MARTA Reach reservations404-848-6622
Phone booking: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily
Mobility reservations404-848-4212
App, web portal or call center
MARTA says an item can take up to five business days to reach Lost & Found. Submitting the online lost-item form is the preferred first step.
Record the route and direction.
Write down the bus route, destination sign, boarding stop and exit stop.
Record the trip time.
Include the date and approximate boarding and exit times.
Describe the item.
Include brand, color, size, material and distinctive marks.
Submit the official inquiry.
Use MARTA’s Comments and Lost Item Form so the search is documented.
Allow processing time.
Drivers normally turn items in after completing service duties.
Arrange retrieval.
Lost & Found currently operates by appointment.
Lost & Found contact: call 404-848-3208 or email lostandfound@itsmarta.com, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Retrieval appointments are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Confirm the route is part of the April 2026 network.
Open the correct weekday, Saturday or Sunday schedule.
Match the route number and full route name.
Check the destination shown on the bus.
Save the correct stop ID and street side.
Check live arrivals and canceled trips.
Verify temporary stop or Five Points changes.
Prepare the correct Breeze or payment method.
Use the same payment method for transfers.
Allow extra time for an airport or medical trip.
Atlanta MARTA Bus Problems and the Correct Next Step
Your old route disappeared
Use the NextGen route crosswalk to identify the replacement route or Reach zone.
The PDF and app disagree
Check the PDF effective date, active alert and live trip status. A canceled trip may remain in the static timetable.
No vehicle appears on the tracker
The bus may not have started its trip, may have lost GPS reporting or may have been removed from service.
The bus passed the stop
Verify the direction, stop ID, temporary relocation and destination sign. The vehicle may also have been out of service.
Your free transfer failed
Confirm that you used the exact same Breeze card, contactless bank card or mobile-wallet credential within three hours.
You used cash and were charged again
Cash bus fares are one-way only and do not provide a transfer.
The official map is unreadable on mobile
Open the PDF in a separate tab, zoom to the neighborhood and then use the stop-level tracker.
You missed the final bus
Check rail, another current bus route, a Reach zone or a safe alternative. Do not assume every route operates until the general system closing time.
Independent-site disclosure: busschedule.us is not operated by MARTA and cannot change schedules, dispatch vehicles, collect fares, retrieve lost items or guarantee an arrival prediction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Atlanta MARTA Bus Schedules
What time do MARTA buses start and stop running?
MARTA’s current rider guide lists general bus hours of approximately 5 a.m.–1 a.m. on weekdays and 5 a.m.–12:30 a.m. on weekends. Exact first and last trips depend on the route and direction.
How many MARTA bus routes operate in Atlanta?
The NextGen network contains 81 fixed routes and 12 MARTA Reach on-demand zones.
When did the current MARTA bus routes begin?
The redesigned NextGen fixed-route network launched on April 18, 2026. Avoid using older route PDFs unless MARTA identifies them as current.
How much is an Atlanta MARTA bus ride?
The standard fare is $2.50. An approved reduced fare is $1. Cash paid on a bus is one way only and does not include transfers.
How do free MARTA transfers work?
A paid bus, rail, Rapid or Reach trip includes up to four transfers within three hours. Use exactly the same payment card or Breeze medium throughout the journey.
Can I pay a MARTA bus fare with a bank card?
Yes. MARTA accepts eligible contactless credit and debit cards, mobile wallets, physical or virtual Breeze cards, Breeze tickets and exact cash on buses.
How do I track an Atlanta bus?
Use MARTA’s online Bus Tracker or the MARTA App. Select the route, direction and exact stop to view available predictions.
What is MARTA Reach?
MARTA Reach is shared curb-to-curb on-demand service within 12 zones. Riders request a trip through the app, website or reservation phone number rather than waiting for a fixed-route bus.
Which MARTA bus serves Atlanta’s international terminal?
Route 191 Riverdale / ATL International Terminal serves the international-terminal area and connects with Lakewood/Fort McPherson Station and Clayton County destinations.
Is the Rapid A-Line free?
As of the August 5, 2026 review, MARTA’s Phase One page says fare is not being collected on the Rapid A-Line until further notice. Recheck before boarding because this temporary policy can change.
Can I take a bicycle on a MARTA bus?
Regular MARTA buses have front racks for two bikes. Bikes are currently prohibited on Rapid A-Line buses during Phase One, and temporary Reach vehicles do not currently accept bikes.
What should I do when a MARTA bus does not arrive?
Check the live tracker, canceled-trip list and active alerts. Confirm that the schedule is effective, the stop serves your direction and the route has not been detoured.
