MARTA to launch MARTA Reach on-demand transit March 7, ahead of sweeping April bus network overhaul

On-demand “MARTA Reach” launches March 7 across 12 zones

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will begin operating a new on-demand transit option, branded MARTA Reach, on March 7, 2026. The service is designed to provide shared, curb-to-curb trips in 12 designated geographic zones spread across MARTA’s bus service area, with booking available through a mobile app, a website, or by phone.

MARTA has positioned the March 7 rollout as an early component of its NextGen Bus Network program, a systemwide redesign that is scheduled to take effect April 18, 2026. The agency has said the earlier launch is intended to give customers time to become familiar with the on-demand model before broader route and schedule changes begin.

How MARTA Reach is expected to work

Within each zone, MARTA Reach is set up for point-to-point travel, allowing riders to request trips between addresses or locations inside the same zone. The service is also intended to connect riders to the broader transit network by providing access to key transfer points, including rail stations and higher-frequency bus corridors. MARTA has described the service as a tool to improve coverage and convenience in areas where fixed-route buses currently run infrequently.

• Service type: shared, on-demand, curb-to-curb rides within designated zones
• Booking options: app, web, or phone-based requests
• Network role: local circulation and connections to rail stations, transfer points, and frequent bus routes

NextGen Bus Network changes begin April 18

The on-demand launch comes ahead of the most extensive bus network redesign in the Atlanta region in decades. MARTA has said that nearly all bus routes will change on April 18 as part of the NextGen Bus Network, with an emphasis on simplified routing, more consistent schedules across the week, and coordinated transfers.

Under the redesign, MARTA plans to concentrate service on corridors with stronger all-day demand, including a set of major corridors targeted for frequent service—defined by the agency as buses arriving every 15 minutes or better throughout the day. The agency has also said the redesign is structured to provide improved access to jobs and essential services while using existing resources more efficiently.

What riders should prepare for

For customers in the 12 MARTA Reach zones, the change introduces a different way to access transit—moving from fixed-route patterns in some lower-density areas to a request-based service model. For bus riders systemwide, the April 18 launch date is the key milestone: route numbers, stop patterns, and transfer routines are expected to shift across much of the network.

MARTA has framed the phased rollout as a transition period, with staff outreach and rider education efforts continuing in the weeks leading into the April network change.

MARTA has advised riders to review updated route information and plan ahead for the March 7 and April 18 changes, particularly commuters who rely on specific stops, timed transfers, or familiar route patterns.