Atlanta

MARTA to suspend bus fares as coronavirus crisis continues

ATLANTA — MARTA will be suspending bus fares beginning Thursday as it continues to take steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said a memo was sent out to employees Tuesday saying the transit service will only board passengers from the rear doors on the bus, with the exception of customers who need to use the accessibility ramp.

Because fare boxes are at the front of the bus, MARTA said it will temporarily suspend fares for bus service.

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Customers using rail service and transfer onto a bus will continue to pay fares for train use

The transit system also said it would be shutting down restrooms in low utilization stations.

Bathrooms will still be open to the public at College Park, Doraville, Five Points, H.E. Holmes, Indian Creek, Lindbergh and North Springs. In the memo to employees, the agency described the move as an effort to prioritize “the health and safety of frontline employees.”

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“We’re making operational adjustments to protect the health and wellness of employees,” MARTA spokeswoman Stephany Fisher told the AJC on Tuesday.

The transit system has seen a decline in ridership because of the coronavirus crisis.

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According to Tuesday’s employee memo, Monday’s rail ridership was down 67% from the average Monday in February. Bus ridership was down 55%.

Information from David Wickert with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution used in this article.