safety
Trying to skip a $2.50 fare could cost you a felony, MARTA says
By Justin Gray at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority police have made dozens of arrests and are seeking dozens more suspects after a wave of damage to the transit system’s new fare gates, according to crime data obtained by Channel 2 Action News.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news brea...
Key takeaway “To be honest, some people were used to not having to pay fare and just being able to ride MARTA anytime they wanted to for free,” MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher told Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Justin Gray.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The recent wave of arrests for damaging MARTA's new fare gates and fare evasion cases raises concerns about the impact on the city's transportation system and its users. With 183 people arrested or suspended for fare evasion since June 1, it's clear that MARTA is taking a tough stance on the issue. The fact that dozens of suspects are still being sought for damaging the fare gates suggests that the problem is more widespread than initially thought. As MARTA continues to roll out new technology to monitor and track individuals across the transit system, residents can expect a more secure and efficient commute. However, the use of felony charges for fare evasion may also lead to increased scrutiny of MARTA's policing practices and their effect on the community. As the city's public transportation system continues to evolve, it's crucial to balance the need for security with the need for accessibility and fairness for all riders.
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: safety ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority police have made dozens of arrests and are seeking dozens more suspects after a wave of damage to the transit system’s new fare gates, according to crime data obtained by Channel 2 Action News.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news brea...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Justin Gray 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 safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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