Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) Announces Completion of Breeze Mobile 2.0 Regional Rollout

Customers of the Metro Area’s Four Largest Transit Providers Can Now Pay Their Fares Using Just One App

ATLANTA – Today the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) announced the completion of the Breeze Mobile 2.0 rollout to the regional partners who offer mobile fare payments – Xpress, Ride Gwinnett and CobbLinc along with MARTA, which introduced the app in May. This fulfills one of the primary objectives of the General Assembly when it created the ATL: a more seamless customer experience for transit users in metro Atlanta.

“Introducing a single payment system that works across the four largest transit providers in our region is a critical step for improving cross-county transit connectivity in metro Atlanta,” said Jannine Miller, Executive Director of the ATL. “As Georgia’s capital region continues to grow ATL is proud to partner with MARTA, CobbLink, and Ride Gwinnett to implement technology solutions to enhance the transit experience for customers.”

Breeze Mobile 2.0 will allow customers of the four agencies to seamlessly pay their fares using a single app. New features include:

1. Free transfers between MARTA and the other participating agencies when using the app.
2. Convenient ticket purchasing available 24/7 with no special trips or standing in line. Passes can also be bought for friends and family who have been added to an account. No need to be there in person.
3. Instant pass usage (no waiting period required).
4. Compatible with most forms of electronic payment.
5. Contactless fare payment using a QR code reader and near-field communications (NFC).
6. Peace of mind – Since Breeze Mobile is cloud-based, customers who lose their phone – or switch to a new one – will not lose their passes.

In addition, customer convenience will be a great benefit of having a regional mobile fare payment system, as well as the elimination of transfer costs among local and regional agencies – which can also potentially increase transit ridership.

“Since MARTA launched the Breeze 2.0 mobile app earlier this year, our customers have enjoyed the faster, more reliable experience of being able to purchase fares on their smartphone,” said Collie Greenwood, General Manager and CEO of MARTA. “And in the future, MARTA’s Automated Fare Collection system, or AFC 2.0, will allow the region’s riders to pay for their fare with the tap of a credit card or mobile wallet.”

Cobb County’s Board of Commissioners approved using Breeze Mobile last month. “Anytime we can give our customers more options and make it easier to use our CobbLinc system, it is a win-win for the riders and our operations,” said Cobb DOT Director Drew Raessler.

“The recent launch of the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app in September has already provided great benefits to our Ride Gwinnett customers,” said Gwinnett County Transit Division Director, Natasha Tyler. “It gives our riders a touch-free payment option that allows them to seamlessly transition between regional partners, allowing for more efficient boarding and an overall better experience.”

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/ and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

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Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) Launches Georgia’s First Regional Transit Trip-Planning App

ATL RIDES Enables Customers to Plan Trips Across Metro Atlanta

ATLANTA – Today, the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) announced the launch of ATL RIDES – the region’s first regional transit trip planning app – following the completion of successful Beta testing. The new technology enables customers to seamlessly plan transit trips using just one app for travel across 13 counties via six transit agencies – Xpress, MARTA, Ride Gwinnett, CobbLinc, Connect Douglas and Cherokee Area Transit System (CATS).

“The development of ATL RIDES is the culmination of the strong partnership between these six transit agencies in the metro Atlanta area,” said Jannine Miller, Executive Director of the ATL. “Creating and launching this new app is a result of a new level of coordination across the region’s transit agencies.”

With the app, travelers will now have a “digital” one-stop-shop to plan a transit trip between origins and destinations served by different transit operators, for example, from Buckhead to the Battery, or Mableton to Midtown, or Austell to the Airport, or South Cobb to Stone Mountain. These are cross-county/cross-agency trips that in the past had route and schedule options that were challenging for customers to understand. The total fare cost from start to finish was also confusing. ATL Rides cuts through that confusion.

“ATL RIDES, along with MARTA’s new Breeze Mobile 2.0 fare payment app, work together to take some of the guesswork out of taking a trip on transit, making it more accessible for all,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood.
Unlike other navigation apps currently available such as Google Maps, ATL RIDES provides the most up-to-date route information directly from the transit agencies. One of the most helpful features is the real-time vehicle arrival information that ATL RIDES offers to the app’s users, enabling riders to see when their next bus or train will reach their location. Travelers with disabilities can also select a setting for wheelchair-accessible routes. Future plans call for the addition of micro-mobility, such as scooter share and bike share, and on-demand services such as paratransit.

Ride Gwinnett, which serves the most diverse population in Georgia, saw that the many benefits and features of the app could enhance its customers’ riding experience and has been a strong supporter of ATL RIDES. “Gwinnett County is excited to partner with the ATL to improve mobility across the region,” said Nicole Love Hendrickson, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman. “Ride Gwinnett’s inclusion in the ATL Rides app advances our mission to provide superior services for all of our residents.”

While technological advancements have made planning trips on transit, by walking, or riding a bike more accessible, having access to consistent and accurate data for planning a trip has proven to be a greater challenge. Many suburban and rural transit agencies lack the capacity, staffing, and infrastructure to create and maintain the technology. These challenges have a direct impact on the amount of information available to transit customers and the quality of their trips presenting a roadblock to the convenience of using public transportation. ATL RIDES will help to remove those barriers for growing counties like Cobb County.

“Cobb County’s attractions continue to grow, and the number of people commuting to work in this county is also on the upswing,” says Cobb County Board Commissioner Chairwoman Lisa Cupid. “This app will allow them to more easily use transit options to get to where they need to go, either to work or play.”

ATL RIDES was funded by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) $20.3 million Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) program awarded to the ATL in 2020. The state provided nearly $200,000 in matching funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation as well as other local sources. The FTA IMI program supports projects that use innovative technologies and processes to improve access to public transportation, increase public transportation efficiency, and enhance the overall rider experience. The Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) was one of 25 recipients selected out of 104 eligible project proposals totaling approximately $107 million in requested funding. Funding from the FTA’s IMI Program is being used to advance mobility through creative partnerships and emerging technologies, combining public and private transportation assets and strategies that will greatly increase access to mobility for everyone.

Fast-growing Cherokee County, which saw a 5.5% population increase during the pandemic, sees the need for ATL RIDES to help it prepare for future growth. “Cherokee County has strong regional partners, and it’s important to work together to provide the best service to our residents in Cherokee County. The new ATL RIDES app provides our residents who commute for employment outside the County via Xpress real-time information on routes, making their commute more efficient,” said Cherokee Communications Director Erika Neldner. “We appreciate our regional partners providing better technology to serve our Cherokee County residents.”

Since 2019, ATL has been working on the solution to remove the barrier between transit users and the information they are able to access by creating its own open-source trip planning platform. Starting in Spring 2023, ATL RIDES entered its Beta mode, inviting a limited number of users to test and give their feedback on improving the platform to ensure a successful launch. The ATL RIDES app is another example of the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL), fulfilling its mission to bring about a more seamless customer experience for transit users in metro Atlanta and transit leaders in Cherokee County agree.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/ and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

Deb Tuff
Media Relations Manager
Gwinnett County Government
770-822-7135
[email protected]

Stephany Fisher
Sr. Director of Communications
MARTA
470-419-9216
[email protected]

Ross Cavitt
Communications Director
Cobb County Government
770-528-2485
[email protected]

Erika Neldner
Communications Director
Cherokee County
678-493-6015
[email protected]

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Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) to Hold Committee Meetings and Board of Directors Meeting Scheduled for

June 1, 2023

ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority announces that it will hold a Specially Called Xpress Operations Committee Meeting, a Specially Called Administrative Committee Meeting, and its Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, June 1, 2023, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Marquis One, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303.

The Specially Called Xpress Operations Committee Meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the Specially Called Administrative Committee Meeting will begin as the previous meeting ends.

The ATL Board of Directors Meeting will begin at 9:45 a.m. or immediately following the Specially Called Administrative Committee meeting should that meeting extend beyond 9:45 am. To view the Committee and Board agendas and options to connect remotely, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/the-atl-board/.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) to Hold Specially Called
Committee Meetings and Board of Directors Meeting Scheduled for

April 6, 2023

ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority announces that it will hold Specially Called Board Committee Meetings and its Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, April 6, 2023, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Marquis One, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303.

The Specially called Administrative Committee Meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m., and each subsequent committee meeting will begin as the previous meeting ends.

The ATL Board of Directors Meeting will begin at 10:15 a.m. or immediately following the Regional Transit Planning Committee meeting should that meeting extend beyond 10:15 am.

To view the Committee and Board agendas and options to connect remotely, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/the-atl-board/.

Meeting Schedule:

Specially Called Administrative Committee Meeting

Specially Called Regional Technology Committee Meeting

Specially Called Regional Transit Planning Committee Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) Holds Board Member Elections

Former Gwinnett County Commissioner Marlene Fosque elected to District 6; Jonesboro City Manager Ricky Clark elected to District 10; and current board members for Districts 2, 4, 8 re-elected

ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) held board member elections on March 9, and 10 and has officially announced election results for Districts 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10.

District 2
Mr. Paul Radford was re-elected to the ATL Board for District 2. The City Manager of Sugar Hill will serve a four-year term ending on April 15, 2027. District 2 includes parts of Forsyth, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties.

District 4
Mr. Todd VerSteeg was re-elected to the ATL Board for District 4. The Cobb County resident and owner of Vermeer Southeast will serve a four-year term ending April 15, 2027. District 4 includes Paulding County and parts of Cobb County.

District 6
Ms. Marlene Fosque was elected to the ATL Board for District 6. The former Gwinnett County Commissioner will serve a four-year term ending April 15, 2027. District 6 includes parts of Gwinnett County.

District 8
Ms. Marci Collier Overstreet was re-elected to the ATL Board for District 8 . Overstreet joined the ATL Board on March 16, 2022, to fill the unexpired term replacing former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and will serve a full four-year term ending April 15, 2027. District 8 includes Douglas County and parts of Cobb and Fulton Counties.

District 10
Mr. Ricky L. Clark, Jr. was elected to the ATL Board for District 10 . The City Manager of Jonesboro will serve a four-year term ending April 15, 2027. District 10 includes Coweta and Fayette Counties and parts of Clayton, Fulton, and Henry Counties.

The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit in the 13-county metro Atlanta region. Details regarding the ATL Board Election process and election results are summarized below.

ATL Board Election Process

The ATL is governed by a 16-member board — 10 of the 16 members represent 10 different “transit districts” that intentionally cross metro-Atlanta county boundaries. Caucuses comprised of local elected officials and state legislators representing each transit district meet to elect their respective transit district’s board member. Per the ATL’s originating legislation signed in 2018, individuals elected to serve on the ATL board must be a resident of their district and possess significant experience or expertise in a field that would be beneficial to the accomplishment of the function and purpose of the organization.

For more information on the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) To Hold Board Elections March 8th & 9th

Elections Slated for Districts 2,4,6,8 and 10

Atlanta, GA The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) announces that it will hold elections for five of the Board’s 16 seats on March 8 and 9, 2023. Elections for Districts 8 and 10 will take place on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Elections for Districts 2, 4 and 6 will take place on Thursday, March 9, 2023. All Elections will take place at the Georgia State Capitol, 206 Washington Street, Atlanta, GA 30334 in Room 341.

The ATL is governed by a 16-member board — 10 of the 16 members represent 10 different “transit districts” that intentionally cross county boundaries. Caucuses comprised of local elected officials and State legislators representing each transit district meet to elect their respective transit district’s board member. Per state law, individuals elected to serve on the ATL board must be a resident of their district who possess significant experience or expertise in a field that would be beneficial to the accomplishment of the function and purpose of the organization. Here is a link to the Atlanta Region Transit Districts.  For more information on ATL Board elections, please visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/. Elections dates and locations are posted on the ATL website and are open to the public.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) to Hold Rescheduled Mayoral Caucus Leading Up to Board Election for District 4

Caucus will be held via teleconference on Friday, February 10, 2023

ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority will hold a Mayoral Caucus to select the Mayoral Representative for District 4, who will represent them in the ATL District board member election, scheduled to occur at the State Capitol on March 9, 2023.  This caucus is rescheduled from the one previously scheduled for January 27, 2023.

WHO: Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

WHEN: Friday, February 10, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: The ATL is holding this Mayoral Caucus by teleconference. The public will be afforded simultaneous access to the teleconference meetings by the means described in this notice.

Click here to view the teleconference meeting for District 4

WHAT: Mayoral Caucus for ATL Transit Districts 4 – the mayors of cities within this ATL District are scheduled to meet Friday for the first step necessary to select a board member to the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority for District 4. The ATL is responsible for implementing transit projects across 13 metro counties and ensuring plans connect efficiently across jurisdictions. The mayor selected will participate as an elector in the Board Member election, scheduled for March 9, along with other electors as called for by state law: state representatives and senators whose districts overlap with ATL District 4, and county commission chairs whose counties overlap with District 4.  The individual elected on March 9 will serve a four-year term on the ATL Board, expiring on April 15, 2027.

ATL District 4 includes all of Paulding and parts of Cobb County, and part or all of the following cities: Acworth, Austell, Braswell, Dallas, Hiram, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs, and Smyrna.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) to Hold Board of Directors Meeting Scheduled for February 2, 2023, at 8:30 a.m.

ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority announces that it will hold its Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. at 245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Marquis One, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30303.

To view the Board agenda and options to connect remotely, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/the-atl-board/.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) to Hold Mayoral Caucuses for Upcoming Board Elections for Districts 2,4,6,8,10

Caucuses will be held via teleconference on Friday, January 27, 2023

ATLANTA – The Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority will hold five Mayoral Caucuses to select the Mayoral Representative for Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Each Caucus will select a mayor from amongst their group to represent them in the upcoming ATL District board member elections scheduled to occur at the State Capitol on March 8 and 9, 2023.

WHO: Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority and Mayors of cities within ATL Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10.

WHAT: The mayors of cities within ATL Districts 2,4, 6, 8, and 10 are scheduled to meet on Friday for the first step necessary to select each ATL board member representing those districts. The ATL is responsible for coordinating transit planning and funding across 13 metro counties and ensuring plans connect efficiently across jurisdictions. The mayors selected at each of these meetings will participate as electors in the Board Member elections, scheduled for March 8 and 9. They are included along with other electors as called for by state law comprised of state representatives and senators whose districts overlap with each ATL District, county commission chairs whose districts overlap with each ATL District, and the Mayor of Atlanta (in ATL Districts which contain parts of the City of Atlanta).  Board Members elected on March 8 and 9 will serve four-year terms on the ATL Board, expiring on April 15, 2027.

District 2 includes parts of Forsyth, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties.  District 4 includes all of Paulding and parts of Cobb County.  District 6 includes parts of Gwinnett County.  District 8 includes all of Douglas County, and parts of Cobb and Fulton Counties.  District 10 includes all of Coweta and Fayette Counties, and parts of Clayton, Fulton, and Henry Counties. 

WHEN: Friday, January 27, 2023, as scheduled:

10:00 a.m. – District 4 Mayoral Caucus

11:00 a.m. – District 6 Mayoral Caucus

11:30 a.m. – District 2 Mayoral Caucus

1:00 p.m. – District 8 Mayoral Caucus

1:30 p.m. – District 10 Mayoral Caucus

WHERE: The ATL is holding the Mayoral Caucuses via teleconference. The public will be afforded simultaneous access to the teleconference meetings by the means described in this notice.

 Click here to view the teleconference meeting for District 4

Click here to view the teleconference meeting for District 6

Click here to view the teleconference meeting for District 2

Click here to view the teleconference meeting for District 8

Click here to view the teleconference meeting for District 10

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Regional Transit Providers Meet Legislative Deadline of January 1, 2023

ATLANTA – Today, the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) announced that all transit operators within the jurisdiction of the authority are in compliance with the January 1,2023 statutory deadline that requires transit operators in the ATL’s 13-county region to feature ATL branding on their transit assets such as buses, trains, paratransit, shuttles, and vans.

When the Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (ATL) was created by state leaders in 2018, one of the main objectives of the General Assembly was to bring about a more seamless customer experience for transit users in metro Atlanta. One of the mechanisms for this objective — designated in the ATL’s statute and later revised during the 2020 session was a statutory requirement for transit operators in the ATL’s 13-county region to feature ATL branding on their vehicles. Specifically, O.C.G.A. § 50-39-12(d) states that the ATL’s Regional Transit Plan “shall include the creation of a unified logo and brand to encompass all transit service providers within the jurisdiction of the authority which shall include the jurisdiction of the authority and shall utilize such logo and brand as a prominent feature upon any property used for the purpose of transit.”

Since that time two years ago, the ATL has been working extensively and collaboratively with all transit service providers in the Atlanta region to meet this statutory requirement. Current operating partners include Cherokee Area Transportation System (CATS), CobbLinc, Connect Douglas, Coweta Transit, Forsyth County Dial-A-Ride, Gwinnett County Transit, Henry County Transit, MARTA, Paulding Transit, and Xpress. In the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, all transit operators were actively engaged in branding discussions with the understanding that the ATL branding is designed to make it easier for transit customers to use and recognize each transit partner as part of a regional network of transit services and operators.

“Rolling out the ATL brand across our operating partners is an important step for all of us,” said Heather Aquino, Deputy Executive Director the ATL. “When riders see the ATL logo, it means their operator is committed to providing reliable, sustainable, efficient, and affordable travel throughout the Atlanta region.”

“With connectivity as the foundation for the ATL Brand, this initiative aims to visually unite the regional providers who connect transit riders to their neighborhoods where they work, study, and play,” stated ATL Board Chair, Charlie Sutlive. “This is significantly important as the region expects to add an additional 2.5 million residents creating a greater demand for a seamless transit network.”

The Marketing and Communications Committee of the ATL Board approved the ATL Branding Architecture plan at its meeting on January 6, 2022 and the full ATL Board adopted the plan at its meeting on February 3, 2022. The ATL Branding Architecture plan is comprised of two primary elements: 1) for transit operators, to incorporate each transit operator’s preferred color palette into a co-branding design for use on their transit vehicle assets and 2) for common regional assets, to incorporate the ATL “kaleidoscope compass” logo on common regional assets such as the ATL Rides app (currently under development), Breeze fare media, and signage.

“It has truly been a collaborative process to work with county officials, their transit leaders, and communications professionals across our region to make this happen,” stated Ericka Davis, Chief Communications Officer for the ATL. “We could not have done this without their active engagement, spirit of cooperation, and commitment to providing quality services to all of the citizens that we collectively serve.”

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.ga.gov/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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