MARTA To Add BRT Connection to Airport

A new rapid bus line in Atlanta will link residents to one of the nation’s busiest airports.

1 minute read

May 16, 2024, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Green freeway signs for Atlanta and Atlanta airport on Interstate 85.

iofoto / Adobe Stock

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)’s newest rapid bus line will link to the city’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s Domestic Terminal, providing a key connection to thousands of airport workers and travelers.

Josh Green explains the change in plans in Urbanize Atlanta, noting that “Previously, plans called for the 15-mile BRT route to snake up through Clayton County and a corner of Fulton County before ending at MARTA’s College Park transit station.” New plans call for linking Southlake Mall to the airport. The buses will run on a mix of dedicated and mixed-use lanes. “In between will be what MARTA calls “rail-like stations”—with seating, digital signage, and off-board fare payment—at key stops such as Southern Regional Medical Center, the Shops of Riverdale, and the Riverdale Mobility Center.”

MARTA plans to submit an application for federal grants to help fund the project, which could be completed in 2030.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in Urbanize Atlanta

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

5 seconds ago - Cities Today

View from inside car's driver seat while driving.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians

Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

1 hour ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA