INIT and MARTA launch Better Breeze ticketing system in time for world-class football action in Atlanta

Passengers in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area pay for their journeys via contactless credit or debit card, with a mobile wallet or with the new Breeze card. © MARTA

Karlsruhe / Germany, Atlanta/USA – April 14, 2026

A new ticketing era has begun in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area and just in time for the upcoming international football matches. The local public transport company Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and INIT have officially launched the Better Breeze fare system, bringing modern, contactless payment options based on Account-based Ticketing and a more seamless experience for passengers across the region.

Designed with passengers in mind, Better Breeze makes it easier than ever to move through the MARTA system via tap and ride using contactless credit or debit cards, mobile wallets, and using the new Breeze card. Coming soon, virtual public transport cards can also be stored directly on smartphones for fast, tap-and-go check-in with a phone or smartwatch.

Modern infrastructure for contactless payments in the entire network

MARTA’s entire network has been upgraded with more than 1,800 station and onboard payment validators, 275 next-generation barrier-free ticket vending machines, and over 500 modern faregates, more than half of which are designed to better serve passengers with mobility needs.

Jonathan Hunt, MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO, emphasizes: “This new, better Breeze system is a game changer for MARTA and our regional transit partners and makes riding transit easier, safer, and more convenient. We thank our partners at INIT for implementing this world class technology as we prepare to welcome the world to Atlanta.”

Preparing Atlanta for a global stage

INIT Validator showing "Thank you" and a Better Breeze card beside it

INIT validators enable passengers to quickly check in. © MARTA

The launch comes at an important moment for the region as Atlanta prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for the upcoming international football matches. For travelers arriving for the games at the Atlanta Stadium, the ability to tap a bank card or mobile wallet just as they would in other major world cities makes public transport a natural and convenient choice.

Technology partnership powering the system

Together, MARTA and INIT designed the system to evolve with the region, supporting new payment technologies, regional integration, and growing patronage in the years ahead. More than a technology upgrade, Breeze signals an innovative approach to public transport that is simple, accessible, and future-focused.

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Passengers in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area pay for their journeys via contactless credit or debit card, with a mobile wallet or with the new Breeze card. © MARTA

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