The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is defending its safety record after responding to a federal investigation of security spending, violent incidents and protections for riders and workers across Atlanta’s transit system.
Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt outlined the agency’s strategy in a letter to the Federal Transit Administration, WSB-TV reported. Hunt called recent attacks outliers and said violent and property crimes have fallen 45% since 2020. Overall crime through June 10 was down 8% from the same period in 2025.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ordered the review after two May stabbings, including the fatal attack on 66-year-old Margaret Sams-Swan aboard a train. The Transportation Department says MARTA’s rate of personal-security incidents involving riders and employees is nearly twice the national average and 3.5 times the average on rail.
MARTA says it increased its sworn police force from 230 officers in August 2025 to 268, created a 24-hour Real Time Crime Center monitoring more than 12,000 cameras and launched a train-patrol unit. The agency cited 29 field protective specialists and new Better Breeze fare gates designed to reduce fare evasion and improve security.
The response describes preparations for the 2026 World Cup, including an Emergency Operations Center, a Cybersecurity Operations Center and Transit Ambassadors. MARTA received $10.9 million in one-time federal grants for World Cup readiness and plans to supplement that money with its own funding.
In a separate letter to Georgia lawmakers, Hunt requested recurring state safety funding and legislation barring weapons on trains, buses and stations except for law enforcement. MARTA says it has not received direct state funding for safety and security in recent years.
Federal reviewers will now determine whether MARTA’s spending and security measures adequately address risks to passengers and employees.
