local
‘Love to see more people taking MARTA:’ System reports record ridership during World Cup
By Bryan Mims at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 28, 2026
· 4 min read
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority says it has moved 1.7 million people to World Cup festivities since events began June 11.This includes four World Cup matches, nine FIFA Fan Festivals, and other World Cup-related events and festivities.The busiest day, so far, was June 24, for the Mor...
Key takeaway Jody Girard, an occasional MARTA rider from Decatur, told Channel 2’s Bryan Mims that the ridership boost is something to celebrate.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The record ridership on MARTA during the World Cup festivities is a welcome boost for the city, showcasing the system's potential to efficiently move large crowds. As residents like Jody Girard and Tommy Hawkins note, increased ridership can help reduce traffic congestion on Atlanta's interstates and local streets. However, concerns about safety, as expressed by Hawkins, are a pressing issue that MARTA must address beyond the tournament. The presence of additional officers and security measures during the World Cup is a positive step, and MARTA's commitment to maintaining a greater security focus on trains and platforms after the event is crucial. As the city continues to host major events, it will be important to monitor whether MARTA can sustain this level of service and security, and whether the influx of new riders will lead to long-term increases in ridership and investment in the system.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority says it has moved 1.7 million people to World Cup festivities since events began June 11.This includes four World Cup matches, nine FIFA Fan Festivals, and other World Cup-related events and festivities.The busiest day, so far, was June 24, for the Mor...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Bryan Mims at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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