MARTA to Test New Rail Lines Overnight

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MARTA, the public transportation system in Atlanta, Georgia, will be testing its new CQ400 railcars on the Gold Line from 3 p.m. on Sunday to 4 a.m. on Monday. To accommodate the testing, regular Gold Line train service will be suspended between Lenox, Brookhaven, and Chamblee Stations, and MARTA will operate a bus bridge to move customers through the affected area.

Why it matters

The testing of MARTA's new railcars is an important step in upgrading and improving the public transportation system in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Gold Line is a crucial route that connects Doraville Station to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the temporary service disruption will impact many commuters and travelers.

The details

MARTA will be testing the new CQ400 railcars on the Gold Line, which runs northeast-to-southwest between Doraville Station and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. During the testing period, regular Gold Line train service will be suspended between Lenox, Brookhaven, and Chamblee Stations. MARTA will operate a bus bridge to move customers through the affected area, with shuttle buses loading in the bus bay at each station and running continuously on a load-and-go basis.

• The testing will take place from 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2026, through 4 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026.

What’s next

MARTA will evaluate the performance of the CQ400 railcars during the overnight testing period and use the results to inform future upgrades and improvements to the public transportation system.