ADF Unveils MARTA Vision for Next Generation Rail Transport

Inspired by robust feedback from thousands of riders, MARTA revealed its vision for a new fleet of rail cars featuring a host of customer-centric amenities, inside and out. The overall design reflects the culmination of outreach efforts in 2021 during which nearly 4,000 customers participated. The result is an alluring mix of improved comfort, convenient technology, and sleek minimalism.

Interior Design

For example, the train interiors will have open gangways that enable riders to move freely between cars, forward and inward-facing seating options, spacious luggage and bicycle areas and large, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant (ADA) doorways and spaces. Customers will also benefit from conveniently placed mobile device charging stations throughout the rail cars and digital system maps and screens that display timely transit service information. Other upgrades such as wind screens near the train doors and improved heating, cooling and lighting systems will also enhance the commuting experience.

The Smile

Not to be outdone, the exterior of the new rail cars is an understated work of art. The most prominent feature is on the front of the train, where a lighted “smile” denotes the color of the respective rail line — Red, Gold, Green or Blue — so riders will know from a distance that their train is approaching. MARTA’s three iconic colors will flow in a strip along the vehicles’ flanks, carrying your eye down the length of the train and highlighting the aerodynamic design.

Less Is More

Approach When casting their votes, customers who used the online Qmarkets crowdsourcing platform praised the exterior aesthetic of the low-key design that MARTA ultimately selected. “Of the designs proposed, this one [Minimalist] seems to be the most timeless,” said respondent, Chris Kalil. Customer Reg Mitchell also described the less-is-more design as, “Dignified but with a bit of color. Easy and inexpensive to apply.” Sam Solomon, who also favored the minimalist approach said: “Of all the designs, this one seems like the one with the most staying power. Several of the other designs will look terrible in 5 or 10 years. Considering these cars need to last 40 or 50 years, that should be a major consideration. This concept also feels like the one that most closely fits with MARTA’s branding.” The first of MARTA’s 254 new rail cars is expected to arrive in metro Atlanta in 2023.

Innovation and Design Investment

MARTA’s next generation of rail cars will build upon new technology and advance safety and security for all customers. The goal is to expand comfort and convenience elements to create a reimagined transit experience. The new rail cars will also interface with other investments aimed at enhancing the customer experience such as MARTA’s new integrated operations center, new station audio-visual information upgrade, systemwide elevator and escalator upgrade, restroom modernization program and station rehabilitation program which will refresh MARTA stations. We’re doing this to raise the bar. Gathering rider input now will help deliver a rail car the improves the ridership experience. Nothing means more to MARTA than having you as a happy customer.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announced their decision to award Stadler the contract for 127 METRO trains with two options of 25 additional trains each. For Stadler this is the first large METRO contract in the US and the largest ever order of vehicle units so far in the company’s history. The contract is valued at over 600 million US dollars. The new trains are intended for service to the world’s largest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Stadler

Stadler has manufactured trains since 1942. A Switzerland-based manufacturer with U.S. operations in Salt Lake City, Utah, the organization is committed to meeting the specific needs of their clients and employing innovative technologies to customize features that improve performance and passenger comfort.

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