ATLANTA — MARTA is planning to replace its entire fleet of railcars, including some railcars that date to 1979, when the transit system opened, published reports indicate.
The new cars are expected to cost $1 billion. It could take several years before the new cars enter service.
“As our region gains more than 100,000 residents per year, we cannot simply pave our way out of traffic,” Progressive Railroading quoted MARTA Chairman Robbie Ashe as saying during his recent State of MARTA remarks.
According to 11 Alive, MARTA has 316 operating passenger trains and two work trains. Of those, 76 date to the 1979 fleet.
MARTA is planning to order 250 new cars, but could increase the number to 300, the station reported. The new cars will have Wi-Fi, reports indicate.
