Atlanta MARTA Reduced Fare 2026–27: $1 Rides for Seniors, Medicare and Disability, How to Get the Breeze Card
Updated: Oct 22
MARTA's Reduced Fare Breeze card cuts a ride from $2.50 to $1.00 for people 65 and older, Medicare cardholders and people with disabilities. Here is what to bring and where to apply.
AT A GLANCE
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The first thing to know about MARTA's discount is what it isn't. Unlike some big-city transit systems, MARTA does not offer an income-based fare program. There's no "SNAP discount" or low-income pass. MARTA's Reduced Fare Program is for three groups only: people 65 and older, Medicare cardholders, and people with a physical or mental disability.
If you're in one of those groups, the discount is substantial. A standard MARTA trip costs $2.50, and with a Reduced Fare Breeze card it's $1.00. That's 60% off every ride on MARTA buses, trains, Rapid and MARTA Reach. The card itself is free.
This guide covers who qualifies, exactly what to bring, where to apply now that the Five Points office is closed, how long the card lasts, the 2026 Breeze card changeover, and what to do if you're turned away. If you don't fit those groups, the section on other ways to cut MARTA costs is for you. All details are from MARTA's Reduced Fare Program page, its fares page and its application forms, checked in October 2026.
Reduced Fare vs. Standard Fare
How you pay | Standard rider | Reduced Fare Breeze card |
|---|---|---|
One-way trip (rail, bus, Rapid, Reach) | $2.50 | $1.00 |
10-Trip Pass | $25.00 | Load 10 trips at $1 each |
20-Trip Pass | $42.50 | Load 20 trips at $1 each |
30-Day Pass | $95.00 | No reduced-fare pass offered |
Transfers | Up to 4 free within 3 hours | Same |
MARTA doesn't offer reduced-fare versions of its passes. Your Reduced Fare card works with one-way trips, round trips, trip packages in multiples of 10 or 20, and stored value charged at $1 per trip.
Even without a pass, the discount adds up quickly. Someone making 40 one-way trips a month pays $40 with the Reduced Fare card. The same rider pays $100 at the standard fare, or $95 for a 30-Day Pass.
Who Qualifies
You need to meet one of these:
Age 65 or older.
A Medicare card (the red, white and blue card).
A physical or mental disability, proved by one of:
Social Security disability documentation.
A service-connected Veterans Affairs (VA) data card.
A disabled parking permit.
MARTA's Healthcare Provider Certification form, completed by your provider.
Income doesn't count, and neither does SNAP, Medicaid or other benefits. If you're under 65 without Medicare or a qualifying disability, you won't be eligible, however low your income.
What to Bring
Every applicant needs:
MARTA's Reduced Fare Form: "Request for MARTA Reduced Fare / Paratransit Breeze Card (Walk-In)." It asks for your name, address, date of birth, the last five digits of your Social Security number, a phone number and an email, and you sign an affidavit about card use.
A valid photo ID. All documentation must come with photo ID.
Then add the proof for your category:
You're applying as… | Bring |
|---|---|
Senior (65+) | Photo ID showing your date of birth, such as a driver's license, state ID or passport |
Medicare cardholder | Your red/white/blue Medicare card |
Person with a disability | SSDI proof, a service-connected VA card, a disabled parking permit, or a completed Healthcare Provider Certification |
Using the Healthcare Provider Certification
If you don't have SSDI, a VA card or a parking permit, ask your doctor or other health care provider to complete MARTA's Reduced Fare Card – Health Care Provider Certification of Eligibility form. MARTA's form notes:
Seniors shouldn't use this form. They only need proof of age and ID.
You must turn the completed form in in person within 30 days of the date your provider signed it.
Processing takes 1 to 5 business days, depending on how quickly MARTA can verify the information.
Plan ahead. If the 30 days pass before you get to the office, you'll need a new signature.
Income doesn't count, and neither does SNAP, Medicaid or other benefits.
Where and How to Apply
Applications are made in person.
Reduced Fare Office, MARTA Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, across from Lindbergh Center station. Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Five Points station office: currently closed for long-term construction under the Five Points Transformation project. Older MARTA documents still list it, so don't go there.
Steps:
Download and fill in the Reduced Fare Form, or pick one up at the office.
If you're qualifying through a provider, have the Healthcare Provider Certification completed first.
Take the form, your photo ID and your proof to the Lindbergh office.
MARTA issues your Reduced Fare Breeze card, which carries your photo.
Register it online at breezecard.com, or call 404-848-5000 and follow the prompts for Breeze Card Registration.
Load trips or stored value, and tap to ride.
Questions about the program can go to the Reduced Fare office at 404-848-5112 or reducedfare@itsmarta.com.
The 2026 Breeze Card Changeover
MARTA moved to a new Breeze fare payment system between March 28 and May 2, 2026:
Existing Reduced Fare customers were mailed new Breeze cards.
The old Reduced Fare cards stopped working after May 2, 2026.
If you never received a new card, go to the Reduced Fare office at MARTA headquarters. MARTA asked customers to do that if a card hadn't arrived by May 1.
The fare didn't change. Reduced Fare rides are still $1.00.
If you're still holding an old card, it won't work. Call 404-848-5112 or visit the office.
How Long It Lasts
Your certification period depends on the documents you provided, up to a maximum of three years.
MARTA's accessible services page says a temporary card expires on December 31 of the year it's issued.
You can see your expiration date each time you tap at a fare gate, bus fare box or Breeze vending machine.
To recertify, bring current proof of eligibility to the office in person. There's no online renewal.
Using the Card, and Rules That Can Cost You
Tap it like any other Breeze card. Bus operators and station agents may ask to see it.
It's strictly yours. If anyone else uses it, MARTA confiscates it, and you'll wait at least 30 days for a replacement. MARTA can also refuse to replace it.
Replacement costs: the first card is free, your first replacement costs $2, and replacements after that are $5. A card that's damaged or faded should be turned in for a free replacement.
MARTA's form says the reduced fare applies to regular fixed-route service, not paratransit (MARTA Mobility has its own fares).
If You're Turned Away
MARTA doesn't publish a formal appeal process. If your application isn't accepted, these steps usually fix it:
Ask exactly what was missing. Most refusals come down to an expired ID, a missing form, or a provider form older than 30 days.
Try a different proof of disability. If one document isn't accepted, a completed Healthcare Provider Certification is the most flexible route.
Check your Medicare card. It needs to be the official red/white/blue card.
Get help at 404-848-5112, by email at reducedfare@itsmarta.com, or through MARTA Customer Service at 404-848-5000.
If you can't use regular buses and trains because of a disability, ask about MARTA Mobility (eligibility line 404-848-4212). Certified Mobility riders using their Mobility photo ID Breeze card ride MARTA rail, bus, Rapid, Reach and Streetcar free.
Not 65, on Medicare or Disabled? Other Ways to Pay Less
There's no income-based MARTA fare, but these MARTA programs can still lower costs:
Children 46 inches and under ride free, up to two per paying adult.
Transfers: every trip includes up to four free transfers within three hours. Use the same payment method each time. MARTA treats a bank card and the phone wallet linked to it as two different payments.
Passes beat single fares if you ride a lot. A 7-Day Pass is $23.75 and a 30-Day Pass is $95.
University Pass Program: at participating schools, students pay $68.50 and faculty pay $83.80 for a 30-Day Pass.
Partnership Program: participating employers buy discounted unlimited-ride passes, so ask HR whether your workplace takes part.
Atlanta Streetcar: $1 a ride, with no transfers.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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More help in Atlanta
More help in Atlanta: Atlanta financial help guides
Related guides
Official sources
This guide gives general information. Fares and rules can change, so confirm with MARTA before you apply.
October 2026 (MARTA Reduced Fare, Breeze and fares pages)
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