MARTA may up train service frequency | www.myajc.com

After years of service cuts and fare hikes, MARTA is profitable again and planning to reinvest in beefed up rail service.

More trains could be running on weekdays during rush hour and on weekends as early as December. MARTA has set a Sept. 19 public hearing on that proposal.

The improvements proposed to a MARTA planning committee on Monday would add service on all four lines on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Trains on the Red and Gold Lines, which extend to North Springs and to Doraville respectively, would run every 10 minutes instead of every 15 as they do now. That means where the trains share a line from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport north to Lindbergh Center Station, trains would run every five minutes during those times.

Likewise on the Blue and Green Lines, which run to Hamilton E. Holmes and Bankhead Stations respectively, rush-hour service would be every 10 minutes instead of 15. And where the lines share tracks, from Ashby east to Candler Park Station, trains would run every 5 minutes during those times.

Late-night service would be added for the Red Line to North Springs. Train service would continue all the way to the airport from North Springs until 9 p.m., instead of 7 p.m. That means people riding in either direction between the airport and North Springs would no longer have to exit at Lindbergh after 7 p.m.

On the Green line, trains during the middle of the day would run all the way to Candler Park, instead of stopping at King Memorial.

MARTA general manager Keith Parker said Monday that the addition of late-night service from North Springs could probably be implemented by December. However, the other changes may have to be phased in early next year since they involve hiring and training new train operators.

via MARTA may up train service frequency | www.myajc.com.