Redefining the Ride – Xpress 2.0
Proposed Changes are Coming to Xpress!
Based on the recent planning study called Redefining the Ride – Xpress 2.0, public input, and subsequent analyses, the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) published an updated draft service plan on January 13, 2025.
The purpose of Redefining the Ride – Xpress 2.0 was to align Xpress bus service with current demand and promote overall efficiency. The updated draft service plan is available for review below. Public comments will be accepted via comment form through February 12, 2025. ATL will review the comments and make any final service plan changes before the changes take effect in June 2025.
Public Hearing
Tuesday, February 11th
245 Peachtree Center Ave, NE
23rd Floor 12:00PM – 2:00PM
There will be an opportunity to present comments verbally at a public hearing.
About the Proposed Xpress Service Changes
With ridership at only 30% of pre-pandemic levels, Xpress currently provides more service than is utilized. These changes are aimed at improving the efficiency of Xpress service and funding.
Proposed changes may include:
- Adjusting and eliminating underutilized routes and park-and-ride lots to align with current demand patterns
- Redesigning routes to more efficiently serve major corridors
- Adjusting routes to end at MARTA rail stations to improve productivity and reliability
The systemwide recommendations are summarized below. They include:
- 13 Xpress routes proposed to be discontinued
- 9 Xpress park-and-rides proposed for closure
- MARTA proposed as the termini for two corridors
- Total number of trips proposed to be reduced by 50-75%, depending on the corridor
Proposed changes by each corridor, including the proposed route schedules, may also be viewed by clicking on the button below the system map.
How to Provide Input
The updated service plan is available for public comment through February 12, 2025. Feedback on the proposed changes can be provided via a digital public comment form accessible below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Redefining the Ride - Xpress 2.0?
Redefining the Ride – Xpress 2.0 is a recently completed regional study that was launched by the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) in 2023 to reimagine the Xpress system. The study evaluated commuter travel patterns and identified service change recommendations to better match commuter demand. The key goals of the service change recommendations include increasing the efficiency of Xpress service, minimizing customer impacts where possible, and ensuring efficient use of available funding.
How were the proposed service changes selected? Has the public been consulted prior to these proposed changes?
Redefining the Ride—Xpress 2.0 is a two-part study that started in 2023. The first portion included three stakeholder discussion workshops for the public in 2024. The study also utilized three online surveys that targeted the general public, major employers, and employees. The surveys were active between July and October 2024.
The second portion of the study proposed service changes that were developed using a combination of public input from the first portion of the study as well as an analysis of commuter travel patterns and overall passenger demand. Changes were suggested to achieve the key goals of the plan, which are to increase the efficiency of Xpress service, minimize customer impacts where possible, and ensure efficient use of available funding. The study primarily identified low-performing routes and underutilized park-and-ride lots for proposed discontinuation or closure.
How do I provide feedback on the Redefining the Ride – Xpress 2.0 proposed service plan? How will my feedback on the updated proposed service plan be used?
Public feedback on the proposed service plan was collected during a 30-day comment period from January 13 to February 12. The ATL will review all input received to understand the concerns of riders and stakeholders. This will help us refine and adjust the proposed changes to better serve the community. For example, the ATL may modify the currently proposed route schedules should public input indicate certain trip times are preferred by customers.
When will the Redefining the Ride – Xpress 2.0 service plan be finalized? What is the timeline for the implementation of these Xpress service changes? How much notice will be given to riders about the changes?
The updated service plan is currently being shared with the public and Xpress customers. The public comment period was January 13-February 12, 2025. Feedback received from the public will help refine the final service plan that will be presented to the ATL board for consideration and possible adoption in April 2025. Service changes, including potential park-and-ride lot closures and route modifications, are expected to occur in June 2025.
Riders will be notified of service changes after the ATL Board adopts an updated service plan in April 2025. Riders will be notified via email, seat drops, and postings at the park-and-ride lots in the weeks leading up to service changes. ATL is still determining the best date in June to implement service changes and will notify riders of the specific date on which the new service changes will go into effect well before implementation.
Stay informed by subscribing to the Xpress newsletter and visiting Xpressga.com.
Why is Xpress making changes to the service? Why has the state reduced the Xpress budget?
Current Xpress ridership is 30% of pre-pandemic ridership. As a result, the state has reduced the Xpress budget to reflect the decreased ridership demand. These proposed service changes are intended to create a more efficient and effective service. Operating 27 bus routes, 27 park-and-ride lots, and 55 bus stops, Xpress is currently providing far more service than is being utilized. The updated Xpress bus system plan is intended to better match actual usage and improve overall efficiency.
How will the proposed changes impact current Xpress routes?
Proposed changes include less frequent service on some routes, the closure of some park-and-ride lots, and transfers to MARTA on some routes. Current riders may need to find an alternate Xpress bus trip time, use an alternative park-and-ride lot, and/or transfer between Xpress and MARTA to reach their final destination.
How do I make a free transfer between Xpress and MARTA? How do I make a transfer if I store rides on my Breeze card, have a monthly pass, or have my employer pay my Xpress bus fare? How will Xpress handle transfers if onboard fareboxes are not working?
You must use a Breeze card with a stored cash value to earn the free transfer between Xpress and MARTA. Once you tap your Breeze card on an Xpress coach or MARTA, a free transfer will automatically be loaded, and you will have 3 hours to transfer to the other service for free.
ATL strives to maintain fareboxes and will notify the Operations team of any reported maintenance needs. If the fare box is not operating, passengers will not be charged while riding Xpress and only if they are using MARTA.
Will there be any changes to the park-and-ride lots?
Yes, some park-and-ride lots are proposed to close to better align Xpress service with current demand. Affected riders would need to use a different park-and-ride location.
Will fares increase? Will fares decrease for customers on truncated routes?
No. Based on the current service plan, there are no plans to increase or decrease fares for Xpress customers.
Why are you increasing the time between buses? Will the frequency of morning or afternoon trips also be impacted? Why is the morning or afternoon service starting or ending so soon?
The time between buses is proposed to increase due to low utilization of existing trips and ensure efficient use of available funds. As a result, some spans of service for routes may also shorten during the AM and PM service periods due to low ridership. The proposed morning and afternoon service hours were selected to align with the service span preferences identified in prior public engagement efforts and by existing ridership surveys.
What stops in Midtown and Downtown will be preserved? What stops will afternoon routes service?
The proposed changes to each corridor, including the Midtown and Downtown stops that will be preserved, can be found here. A more detailed map of all Midtown and Downtown stops is available near the bottom of the page. AM (inbound) and PM (outbound) services will follow a similar route using different roadways.
In Midtown, AM (inbound) service will drop-off along West Peachtree St from Civic Center to Arts Center Station MARTA stations. PM (outbound) service will pick-up along West Peachtree St from Civic Center to Arts Center MARTA stations and along Spring St from Arts Center to Civic Center MARTA stations.
In Downtown, AM (inbound) service will primarily drop-off along Mitchell St and Peachtree Center Ave, while PM (outbound) service will primarily pick-up along Courtland St and MLK Jr Dr.
It appears that several Downtown/Midtown Atlanta stops have been recommended for elimination in the proposed service plan. How will this impact my commute?
In response to rider feedback, the ATL has proposed to maintain service at a majority of stops in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta. A more detailed map of all Midtown and Downtown stops can be found here and is available near the bottom of the page. You can find the stops on your commute on our map here
Will service changes be reevaluated after they are implemented? Is there a chance that ATL would bring back any discontinued service or add additional service in the future? Can Xpress add additional service if buses are persistently overcrowded?
Following the implementation of any proposed changes, ATL may further refine its service offerings. ATL prioritizes the safety of its passengers and will continually monitor buses for overcrowding and adjust service as necessary and as feasible. Should ridership demand increase, or additional funding sources become available, ATL will consider route and trip adjustments as feasible.
Was the reverse commute that was previously proposed taken out entirely? What happened to the multiple phases of the project that used to be on the website?
No, the ATL is currently implementing Phase 1 of the Redefining the Ride – Xpress 2.0. Phase 2, which includes reverse commute, may be implemented based on future funding availability and ridership demand.
How many people have to ride for my service not to change?
While there is no definitive answer for preventing a service change, the ATL utilizes its Xpress Service Standards to guide service planning and deployment. These Service Standards provide benchmarks to measure Xpress service, such as a minimum of 17 passengers per trip for routes that have operated at least four years. If routes or trips do not meet the adopted Service Standards, the ATL may modify service to better align service levels and adhere to its Service Standards.
Did ATL consider other alternatives to the proposed service changes to make up for the budget shortfall? Possible options include: increasing fares, fixing fareboxes, using smaller or more cost-effective vehicles (shuttle vans, electric buses), advertising more prominently with a focus on large employers, using a Monday/Friday and Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday schedule)
ATL did not consider increasing riders’ fares or alternative vehicle types as part of the Redefining the Ride Phase 1 implementation. However, ATL will continue to evaluate other cost-saving options, such as using more cost-effective vehicles, for future phases. The ATL is currently evaluating using a Monday/Friday and Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday schedule as part of the Phase 1 implementation.
Does Xpress fear it will lose riders with these proposed changes?
ATL acknowledges that any significant service changes may lead to some short-term loss of ridership. However, ATL is committed to making these adjustments as thoughtfully as possible, balancing our resources with the needs of our community. Our goal is to maintain a system that is as convenient and customer-friendly as possible within the constraints in which we operate.
Does Xpress have plans on how to increase ridership?
ATL is currently implementing Phase 1 of Redefining the Ride – Xpress 2.0 based on existing ridership. Phase 2, which may be implemented based on future funding and resources, will be aimed at providing new service options for Xpress riders.
Why do some corridors have more route and park-and-ride reductions than others?
ATL maintained a minimum of three morning and three afternoon trips per corridor, with additional trips added to corridors based on passenger demand and available funding. The 85-North corridor also received additional service due to an agreement with ATL and Ride Gwinnett to operate all commuter services under Xpress. The ATL is open to other jurisdictional partnerships and agreements to provide additional Xpress service along other corridors.
Gwinnett commuter bus routes currently run more frequently than Xpress. How will Xpress successfully consolidate with Gwinnett Commuter routes with lower frequencies? Will Xpress provide a similar “sweeper” service later at night?
ATL is coordinating with Ride Gwinnett staff throughout the Redefining the Ride implementation process to determine the appropriate level of service for the 85-North corridor. Additional sweeper service is currently being evaluated but has yet to be proposed.
Will these changes improve bus punctuality and consistency?
ATL is evaluating current bus travel times as part of the service adjustment in effort to improve on-time performance.
Where did travel time estimates come from?
Travel time estimates are primarily based on observed bus travel times during the Fall 2024 service period. For new route segments that do not currently have service today, travel times were estimated based on observed bus speeds for similar roadway segments and modified based on general traffic and speed condition data obtained through publicly available sources. Generally, ATL utilized conservative run time estimates to ensure the proposed routes can achieve a high level of reliability.
Who to Contact for Additional Help
If this information is needed in another language, please contact the ATL at (404) 893-2100 or [email protected]
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