They're making it easier for you to use MARTA

ATLANTA — With spring break over, MARTA is preparing for a record number of riders on Monday.

One challenge they’re addressing this week is parking.

Since the I-85 collapse, MARTA’s information technology department has been working hard to make it easier for you to use MARTA.

The department created a new page on its website that allows drivers to know in real time which MARTA parking lots are full and which have open spots.

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“This is my first time using the system. I flew in today from San Diego,” said Ben Kajai.

Kajai is using MARTA during a layover because his flight to Virginia was delayed. He’s using his free time to catch up with a friend, and decided MARTA was the way to go.

“Yeah, it was pretty straightforward. Just buy a ticket, hop on and show up here,” said Kajai.

Ty Glenham says he’s a regular rider.

“I used it before the 85 collapse,” said Glenham. “It just shows the convenience of MARTA to avoid the traffic.”

You can expect to see lots of people using the system come Monday, in light of the I-85 collapse and closure.

MARTA chief of staff Rukiya Thomas is hoping it’s an easy experience for new riders, and one that will convince drivers to use MARTA more often.

“We are absolutely banking on being able to reclaim customers for MARTA choosing it as a permanent option,” said Thomas.

“What we’re expecting next week is that when they see that their normal kind of home station that they go to is full, that they’ll go to the next station,” said Thomas.

The new parking spot tracker, which you can access on itsmarta.com, is updated by parking lot attendants from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday.

MARTA officials have just one goal for next week.

“Make riding MARTA as convenient, as accessible as possible,” said Thomas.

MARTA is also asking for help from riders. It is asking riders to carpool, get dropped off if they can or even consider using Uber to get to and from MARTA stations.

MARTA says it has worked out a discounted rate with ride-sharing services like Uber for a 50 percent discount to and from MARTA stations.

MARTA says it has also opened up some parking lots that had been closed and is in talks with nearby businesses in case there is a need for overflow lots.

Cox Media Group