Is Atlanta’s MARTA Safe? A Local Guide to Riding with Confidence

If you live in Atlanta, are thinking about moving here, or are planning a visit, you’ll probably ask at some point: “Is MARTA safe?”

The honest answer: MARTA is generally safe for everyday use when you stay aware of your surroundings and follow basic transit safety habits. Like any big-city transit system, it has some problem spots and times of day when you’ll want to be more cautious.

This guide breaks down how safe MARTA is in Atlanta, what to expect on trains and buses, and how to ride it confidently.

Understanding MARTA in Atlanta

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) runs:

• Rail lines (Red, Gold, Blue, Green) connecting the airport, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and several suburbs
• Bus routes across the City of Atlanta and nearby areas
• Streetcar service in Downtown Atlanta

Key high-traffic stations include:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport Station
• Five Points (Downtown)
• Peachtree Center
• Midtown
• North Avenue
• Lindbergh Center
• Buckhead
• Doraville
• Sandy Springs / North Springs

Safety can feel different depending on time of day, location, and how familiar you are with the system. Overall, thousands of Atlantans use MARTA daily without issues, but it’s important to ride it like a big-city system: alert and prepared.

How Safe Is MARTA, Really?

The big picture

For most riders, routine MARTA trips are uneventful—especially:

• During weekday commute hours
• Between busy stations (Airport, Midtown, Buckhead, Civic Center, Arts Center)
• When traveling with other riders instead of in empty cars or stations

However, riders often mention:

• Occasional petty crime such as theft of phones or bags
• Some disruptive behavior (loud arguments, intoxicated individuals)
• A few stations that feel less comfortable late at night

MARTA has its own police force and security measures, but your personal awareness is still your best tool.

Where MARTA Feels Safest (and Where to Be More Alert)

Stations and areas that typically feel more comfortable

These stations generally have heavier foot traffic, more staff visibility, and a steady flow of riders:

• Airport Station (inside the airport, heavily monitored)
• Midtown
• Arts Center
• Lindbergh Center
• Buckhead
• Lenox
• Sandy Springs / North Springs
• Doraville
• Peachtree Center (especially weekday business hours)

Higher rider volume can feel safer because you’re not isolated, and there’s more chance of staff or MARTA Police presence nearby.

Times and situations that call for extra caution

You’ll want to be more careful:

• Late at night (especially after 10–11 p.m.)
• On nearly empty trains or platforms
• At end-of-line stations where trains turn around and riders thin out
• On some bus routes that pass through lower-traffic or higher-crime areas

Many Atlantans still ride at these times, but use extra awareness and stick closer to other riders and visible staff.

Safety Measures MARTA Uses

MARTA invests in several tools to help keep riders safe:

• MARTA Police Department (MPD)
  Sworn officers who patrol stations, trains, buses, and parking lots
• Uniformed security and staff
  Station agents, bus operators, and other employees you can approach for help
• Cameras and monitoring
  Surveillance in stations, on trains, and on many buses
• Emergency call boxes and intercoms
  Located on platforms and sometimes in parking decks
• Onboard emergency features
  Trains typically have intercom buttons to reach the operator in an emergency
• Lighting and signage
  Major stations and parking decks are generally well lit and clearly labeled

While no system is perfect, these measures give you multiple ways to report concerns and get assistance quickly.

Practical Safety Tips for Riding MARTA in Atlanta

On trains

• Stay in the more crowded car
  If possible, choose cars with other riders instead of empty ones.
• Sit near the operator end
  On many trains, you can see the operator’s cab at one end of the car; sitting nearby can feel safer.
• Keep valuables out of sight
  Avoid holding your phone near open doors or placing bags in the aisle.
• Know your stop in advance
  Listen for station announcements and watch the station signs so you don’t have to rush or appear confused.

In stations

• Wait where others are waiting
  Stand in well-lit, busier areas of the platform.
• Avoid wandering into isolated corners
  Especially in large transfer stations like Five Points or parking decks at night.
• Use elevators and escalators wisely
  If an elevator or staircase feels isolated and you’re uncomfortable, wait for another group of people or choose a different path if possible.

On buses

• Sit near the front
  Many riders feel safer staying closer to the driver, especially at night.
• Have your fare or Breeze Card ready
  Reduces fumbling and distraction when you board.
• Press the stop button early
  So you’re not rushing at the last second to get off.

General best practices

• Travel with a friend when you can, especially late at night.
• Limit headphone use so you can hear announcements and what’s happening around you.
• Trust your instincts—if a situation feels off, move to another car, seat, or part of the station.
• Keep kids close and hold their hands in busy stations like Airport or Five Points.

What to Do If You Feel Unsafe or See a Problem

If something happens—or just doesn’t feel right—MARTA gives you several ways to get help.

Contact MARTA Police or staff

You can reach MARTA Police through:

• MARTA Police Phone (non-emergency & reporting):
  Commonly published numbers include a main MARTA Police line and text tip numbers. Check current info posted on signs in trains and stations, or on MARTA printed materials.
• Call 911 for urgent, life-threatening emergencies.

You can also:

• Alert the train operator using the emergency intercom in the train car
• Talk to a station agent at the fare gate area
• Speak with the bus operator (when it’s safe and not distracting them while driving)

When you report an issue, be ready to share:

• Station name or bus route
• Direction of travel (e.g., northbound, southbound)
• Car number if on a train (posted inside)
• Brief description of what you saw

Safety and Ride Experience at Key Atlanta Locations

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Airport Station is:

• Inside the main terminal, close to baggage claim
• Heavily used by travelers and airport staff
• Monitored by both airport security and MARTA Police

MARTA is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to get between the airport and Downtown/Midtown, and many travelers find it a safe, straightforward option, especially during daytime and early evening.

Downtown & Five Points

Five Points is MARTA’s central hub:

• Very busy at rush hours, with many commuters and students
• Can feel a bit more chaotic due to the number of people and connecting lines

Tips for Five Points and Downtown stations (like Peachtree Center and Georgia State):

• Know your transfer in advance so you don’t have to stop and figure it out in crowded areas.
• Stay in well-lit, central parts of the platform.
• At night or on weekends, be a bit more alert, as crowds thin and behavior can be more unpredictable.

Midtown, Buckhead, and North Line Stations

Stations like Midtown, Arts Center, Lindbergh Center, Lenox, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and North Springs:

• Serve a mix of office workers, residents, and shoppers
• Tend to feel relatively comfortable during the day and evening
• Often have more visible staff presence and riders moving regularly in and out

Routine commuting and evening trips to restaurants or events using these stations are common for many Atlantans.

How MARTA Compares to Driving in Terms of Safety

In Atlanta, the safety question isn’t just “Is MARTA safe?” but also “Safe compared to what?”

Driving in Atlanta comes with its own risks:

• High-speed interstates (I-75, I-85, I-285, GA-400)
• Heavy congestion and frequent accidents
• Parking lot break-ins in some areas

For many residents:

• Using MARTA for commutes, airport trips, and major events reduces time behind the wheel in tough traffic.
• You trade driving risk for urban transit risk, which mostly centers around petty crime and occasional disorder rather than collisions.

With sensible precautions, many Atlantans feel safer on MARTA than driving in heavy traffic, especially for airport and Downtown trips.

Using MARTA Safely for Specific Situations

Daily commuting

For work or school:

• Aim for busy commute hours when trains and buses are well-populated.
• Consider park-and-ride lots at stations like North Springs, Sandy Springs, Doraville, or Indian Creek if you live farther out.
• Keep your Breeze Card ready so you move quickly through fare gates.

Visiting Atlanta attractions

MARTA serves many popular spots:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium / State Farm Arena (via GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center, Vine City, or Dome-adjacent stations; check current station names)
• World of Coca-Cola / Georgia Aquarium (via Peachtree Center or Civic Center)
• Piedmont Park (via Midtown)
• Lenox Square / Phipps Plaza (via Lenox or Buckhead)

For big events:

• Arrive and leave during high-volume times when more riders and staff are around.
• Follow crowd flow and stay within designated pedestrian paths and station areas.

Late-night or early-morning rides

If you must ride very early or late:

• Try to travel with someone else.
• Choose seats closer to the operator or other riders.
• Wait in well-lit areas near posted signs or emergency call boxes.
• Have your destination and route planned before you enter the station.

Quick MARTA Safety Summary

You can think of MARTA safety in Atlanta like this:

Key Takeaways for Using MARTA Safely in Atlanta

• Yes, MARTA is generally safe for everyday use when you stay aware and use common-sense precautions.
• Safety can vary by time of day, station, and how crowded your train or bus is.
• Use busier cars and platforms, keep your valuables secured, and avoid isolated areas, especially late at night.
• If you feel unsafe or see something concerning, contact MARTA Police, talk to staff, or use emergency features on trains and in stations.
• For many trips—especially to and from the airport, Downtown, and Midtown—MARTA is a practical and reasonably safe option when used thoughtfully.

By approaching MARTA the way you would any major-city transit system, you can make it a reliable part of living in or visiting Atlanta.