MARTA - BEHIND THE RIDE
All Aboard: The Tech Upgrades Powering MARTA’s Future
At MARTA, a dedicated Customer Experience team is working behind the scenes to improve your ride today and in the future. They’re not just transit professionals; they’re riders, too. They know the frustration of waiting for a train without real-time updates or switching between multiple apps to plan a trip. That’s why they’ve set out to change the way you experience MARTA.
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A Smarter Digital Experience
MARTA’s website has long been a hub of useful information for riders, but the Customer Experience team saw an opportunity to make it even better. Leading the charge are David Emory, Senior Director of Customer Technology, and Anthony Thomas, Manager of Customer Technology Products, who have been listening to customers, studying what works, and collaborating with experts in transit technology. The result? A plan to build a website that not only delivers important information but also makes commuting easier.
From real-time tracking to better trip-planning tools, the redesigned site will help riders stay connected and informed. Imagine opening your phone and instantly seeing when your bus will arrive, whether your train is delayed, or how to navigate fare payments.
The team calls it MARTA’s “digital front door”—a gateway to a smoother, more connected transit experience.
One App for Everything
Have you ever thought, “Why do I need so many apps just to ride MARTA?” You’re not alone. The Customer Experience team felt the same way, and they’re busy creating a single app that does it all.
It’s not just about convenience, though that’s a big part of it. It’s also about building something that works the way riders expect. Need to check train times? Plan a trip? Pay your fare? Report an issue? Soon, you’ll be able to do it all in one place.
The team is designing the app to make navigating MARTA as simple as scrolling through social media. And they’re thinking ahead, ensuring the app is ready for the future of transit, from on-demand services to new fare collection systems.
A New Way to See MARTA
The improvements aren’t just happening on your phone. The team is also transforming how information is displayed across stations and stops.
Picture arriving at a station and instantly seeing clear, real-time updates on when your train will arrive or which bus to take next. That’s what the new digital signage will do. From sleek, large-format screens in stations to smaller displays at bus stops and onboard trains, these upgrades will make navigating MARTA easier and more intuitive.
“Our goal is to make MARTA’s technology feel effortless for riders,” said David Emory. “Whether it’s checking a schedule, planning a trip, or getting real-time updates, we want people to have the information they need right when they need it—without frustration.”
Consistency will be key. Whether you’re looking at the app, the website, or a station screen, the design and information should be seamless. It will all be part of a system built to keep riders confident and informed at every step of their journey.
More Than Just Technology
For the Customer Experience team, this isn’t just a job—it’s a mission. They’re thinking about the people behind the screen: the commuter rushing to catch a bus, the student navigating MARTA for the first time, the Atlanta sports fan heading to a Falcons, Hawks, or Atlanta United game.
“We ride MARTA too,” said Anthony Thomas. “We know how important it is to have clear, reliable information when you’re on the move. That’s what motivates us every day.”
This work isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t happen overnight, but the results will be transformative. By focusing on the small details that make a big difference, MARTA’s Customer Experience team is building a transit system that puts riders first. And for MARTA riders, that means a more reliable, seamless, and stress-free commute—now and in the future.
