Metro Atlanta Fare Policy Changes 

Public transit service providers in metropolitan Atlanta have proposed service changes effective in October. The following changes have been announced:

GRTA Xpress Fare Policy Changes

The Board of Directors of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) on Aug. 11, approved recommended changes to the Xpress fares and fare products. The changes affect only those routes managed and operated by GRTA. 

The last day to purchase the current GRTA Xpress fare passes - 20-Ride, 40-Ride and 31-Day passes - will be Friday, Sept. 24.

The new fare passes - blue or green zone 10-Ride and 31-Day passes - will go on sale Sept. 27. The new fare prices are effective Monday, Oct. 4.

GRTA Xpress will continue to honor the current fare passes through Dec. 31, 2010.

PLEASE NOTE!
• GRTA will no longer offer the 20-Ride pass or the 40-Ride pass;
• Fares will be based on the distance traveled. Longer routes operate in the Blue Zone, and shorter routes operate in the Green Zone;
• No free transfers to GRTA Xpress;
• Breeze Card use for stored cash value only (no fare passes loaded on card.)
• Current fare passes at current value will be honored through Dec. 31, 2010;
• Unused current fare passes may be exchanged for new fare passes with additional payment to equal new fare pass value;
• All new fare passes issued in 2010 will expire by Dec. 31. 2011.
• To use a Green Zone pass on a Blue Zone route or segment, pay $1 up-charge;
• Blue Zone pass valid on all GRTA Xpress routes.

For additional information, please click here to view GRTA's notice concerning fare policies, solicitation of public opinion, and governmental funding.

MARTA Service Changes

For information on MARTA's new fare prices and service changes, please CLICK HERE.

Cobb Community Transit (CCT) Service Changes Proposed

CCT Public Information Meetings:
Monday, Sept. 13 and Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010

CCT will hold 2 important public information meetings for proposed changes relating to fare increases, service reductions and customer service changes.
These public meetings will be held at the Cobb County Central Library from 2-4pm on Monday, September 13 and 7-9pm on Tuesday, September 14.

CLICK HERE to view details of proposed changes.

Rider input is encouraged and welcome. All comments will be referred to the Board of Commissioners for their consideration. For more information, please contact CCT at 770-427-4444.

 New Midtown Route from Mall of GA Begins Service

Xpress Route 411 from the Mall of Georgia to Midtown Atlanta began service Aug. 9.

Route 411 offers seven departures in morning and seven return trips in the afternoon. Three will be three reverse commute trips in the morning and three in the afternoon.

The route will circulate the same as other GRTA Midtown routes.

The fares will be the same price as those charged by Gwinnett County Transit (GCT) under Zone 2. However, the fare media will be available only from GRTA.

American Coach Lines of Atlanta will serve as contractor for the route.

For more information on the route, including the timetable, park & ride location at the Mall of Georgia and fare prices, please CLICK HERE.

HOT Xpress Project News

The State of Georgia is developing an exciting new project to demonstate how to give motorists a way out of traffic back-ups during peak congestion times. The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), the Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) have joined in an initiative to convert approximately 16 miles of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on the I-85 corridor from just south of I-285 in DeKalb County to Old Peachtree Road in Gwinnett County.

Aug. 20, 2010 UPDATE: 

GEORGIA DOT ANNOUNCES I-85 EXPRESS LANE CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION SESSION

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA. – The Georgia Department of Transportation will hold a construction information session on the I-85 Express Lane Project on Sept. 1 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Gwinnett Civic Center. The project to convert 16 miles of HOV lanes to HOT lanes will offer more choices to all motorists, including single occupant vehicles and more reliable trip times in the corridor.
 
“This is the first project of its kind in Georgia,” said DOT Commissioner Vance C. Smith, Jr. “With construction expected to begin in mid-September, it is extremely important that motorists understand how changes along the interstate will impact their commutes.”
 
Representatives from the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), the Georgia DOT and the State Road and Tollway (SRTA) will update the public on construction schedules, tolling and transit enhancements. Additionally, the Clean Air Campaign will provide information on commute alternatives. The Gwinnett Civic Center is located on Sugarloaf Parkway and the information session will be held on the lower level in room 6ABC.
 
The I-85 Express Lanes Project includes installation of 16 miles of fiber and signage along Interstate Highway 85 between Chamblee Tucker Road and Old Peachtree Road and along State Route 316 between I-85 and Riverside Parkway. This $11.7 million work contract was awarded to World Fiber Technologies, Inc., of Alpharetta.  The contract completion date is July 31, 2011.
 
Weather permitting, lane closures are projected to begin mid-September. Additional construction details will be confirmed and distributed as we get closer to beginning lane closures. 
 
When completed, transit buses, motorcycles, alternative fueled vehicles and vehicles with three or more passengers will be allowed to use the inside (left) HOT lane for free, while single- and double-occupant vehicles will be allowed to use the lane if they choose to pay a variably priced toll. 
 
If you would like to receive updates on construction throughout the project please email Teri Pope at tpope@dot.ga.gov. 
 

The H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus Outbreak and Your Safety

The outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus (swine flu) is a cause for concern among providers of public transportation, such as the Xpress commuter service. We want our customers and employees to know that the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) will continue to make safety our highest priority.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Be assured that GRTA is communicating with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and monitoring the information being provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) here in Atlanta. We are also taking steps immediately to provide greater protection for our customers and employees.

In the meantime, we urge our riders to observe the following recommendations provided by the CDC:

-Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

-Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
 
-Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
 
-Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
 
-Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.

For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or CLICK on these websites suggested by the CDC:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC Says Take 3 Steps to Fight the Flu:

Los CDC rec omiendan que "Tome 3" medias para combatir la influenza

State of Georgia Division of Public Health