ATLANTA, Ga. — The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority has announced the kickoff of its new fare collection system, Better Breeze.
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Channel 2’s Steve Gehlbach reports the Better Breeze system will replace the current Breeze cards and tokens, introducing new gates, vending machines, a mobile app and website.
This change is part of MARTA’s largest transformation in history, which includes new rail cars and bus rapid transit.
“The Better Breeze system is a true game-changer for everyday riders, occasional riders and visitors to our region,” a MARTA representative said.
MARTA said the new system is easy to use and has multiple payment options.
This means the new system won’t even need a new card. Riders can pay and go using the wallet on your phone or credit card.
“A frictionless payment option where you can walk up and tap whatever payment you want and boom ... you’ve paid your fare and can access the system,” said MARTA CEO Jonathan Hunt.
New gates have already been installed at the Lindbergh station, and construction is underway at Doraville, with plans to upgrade all MARTA stations and buses by April next year.
During the transition period, both the old and new systems will operate simultaneously, allowing customers to use up the value on their old Breeze cards before fully switching to the new system.
The new Better Breeze cards will be identifiable by their orange color and will be reloadable.
Riders will need to use up all the fares and value on the old ones before the permanent change.
“In April we’ll have both systems up and operational to begin to transition our customers from the old Breeze system to the Better Breeze system,” Hunt said.
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