Courtesy of MARTA The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) launched its better Breeze fare payment system, and customers will have until May 2 to get familiar with the new system and switch to the payment option that works best for them. During the five-week customer transit ion period, riders will meet old and new fare equipment, construction work, and temporary entrances and exits. MARTA General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt said they are asking their valued customers to bear with them as installation of the better Breeze system continues. “If you’ve ever done an improvement project, you know it can be messy and inconvenient, but short-term pain is often necessary for long-term gain,” Hunt said. “Pay attention to signs and announcements to enter and exit rail stations and use this transition period to get a new Breeze card or plan to use tap to pay with your bank card or mobile wallet to ride by May 2.” From Saturday, March 28 to Saturday, May 2, both the old and new Breeze systems will be active. During this customer transition period, riders can: ·      Use old Breeze cards and tickets at any existing old faregates and validators. Old ticket vending machines will be turned off, and no fare may be added to old cards. Note that old faregates will be left open to ensure access to rail stations but customers should still tap if possible. ·      Use Breeze Mobile 2.0 at any existing old faregates and validators. Breeze Mobile 2.0 is no longer available for download, and fares cannot be added. The new Breeze Mobile app will be available for download on Android and iOS devices starting Saturday, March 28, 2026, and can be used to manage your physical Breeze card and purchase fare. ·      Purchase new Breeze cards or tickets at new ticket vending machines. ·      Purchase new Breeze cards or tickets at Ride Stores for MARTA, ATL Xpress, CobbLinc, Connect Douglas, and Ride Gwinnett. ·      Purchase, load, and manage new Breeze cards on the new www.breezecard.com. New Breeze cards are account-based, meaning fare is stored in your account, not on the actual card. ·      Tap to pay using a bank card (all major credit and debit cards accepted) at any new faregate or orange bus validator. Note that some new faregates will remain open to ensure access to rail stations, but customers should tap if possible. ·      Tap to pay using a mobile wallet at any new faregate or orange bus validator. You must have a bank card connected to your mobile wallet. Again, note that some new faregates will remain open to ensure access to rail stations, but customers should still tap if possible. ·      Pay with cash on local bus routes (exact change required) or use cash to purchase a new Breeze card or ticket at any Ride Store or new ticket vending machine. ·      Reduced Fare and Mobility customers may use stored fare on their old cards at any old faregates or validators. New cards will be available for purchase at Reduced Fare offices and be mailed directly to customers. If you have a new mailing address, call 404-848-5112 or email [email protected]. For customers unable to spend down old Breeze balances before switching to better Breeze, balance transfers to a new, registered Breeze account will be accommodated May 5 – Oct. 30, 2026. Note new start date of balance transfer window. Information on how to transfer balances will be provided soon, according to MARTA officials. For more information, visit MARTA  The post What to know as MARTA launches new Better Breeze Fare Payment system appeared first on The Atlanta Voice. ...read more read less