From April 3rd to June 1st, 2007, every time you tap your Breeze Card to pay a fare, you'll be entered to win free rides. One lucky person will win free MARTA rides for a year. Drawings will be held every two weeks for additional prizes of 7-day passes and 30-day passes, with 15 winners every week — one could be you!

Don't have your Breeze Card yet? Don't worry, the sweepstakes runs for almost two months, so you have plenty of time to get one. But you'd better apply soon — call 404-848-5000, visit www.breezecard.com or stop by any RideStore to pick up an order form today.

No purchase necessary to enter or win — See official rules for free entry method available at any RideStore or breezecard.com.

MARTA will soon replace all tokens and TransCards with "smart cards," making Breeze the only way to pay.

MARTA's fares are not changing; however, beginning May 1st, a $.50 cent charge will be added to the purchase of a Breeze ticket to cover the cost of the ticket. The ticket can be reused and reloaded for up to 90 days. Free Breeze cards will continue to be available until this summer when a one-time $5 charge per card will be added to the cards, which can be used for up to four years.

Whether you ride MARTA every day or once a year, the Breeze card is the best option for you, and MARTA is offering a number of ways to get one for free before any fees are added. Cards can be ordered online at www.breezecard.com or by picking up a form from an in-station customer service representative or at any MARTA RideStore.

In addition, MARTA's Breeze Bus is visiting various rail stations to distribute cards and provide information on how to use all its convenient features. The card can be loaded with up to $100 in stored value, multiple trips or monthly, weekly and weekend passes. Customers can also register the card for balance protection so that the value on the card can be recovered if it is ever lost or stolen.

For more information on the Breeze program or to get a Breeze Bus schedule, visit www.breezecard.com or call 404-848-5000.

MARTA's paratransit service has experienced challenges in recent years as the regions' elderly and disabled population has grown, and MARTA is now working hard to make significant improvements in this area. Paratransit service provides transportation to elderly customers or those with disabilities who are unable to use the regular bus and rail service. Over the past few months, MARTA has hired 24 new operators and 4 dispatchers and ordered 30 new Lift Vans (L-Vans), which are due to arrive late spring.

Additionally, MARTA is modifying scheduling practices to improve on time performance, enhancing technology to offer customers more accurate and timely trip arrival information and adjusting the customer call center to reduce hold times.

MARTA has also hired Sharon Crenchaw as the new paratransit director. With over 20 years of transit experience, including 13 years in paratransit management, Crenchaw has a proven record of success in diagnosing and remedying paratransit needs and efficiencies. She most recently operated paratransit services for the Sand Canyon Division of the Orange County Transit Authority in Irvine, California.

Paratransit customers have provided valuable feedback and recommendations throughout this process, and MARTA is committed to continuing to work together to address customers' needs.

As part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, MARTA's paratransit service is provided to eligible persons with disabilities who are unable to board, ride or disembark from vehicles on MARTA's regular bus and rail service. Paratransit transportation is arranged by reservation and provides customers with curb to curb service for $3.50 each way in MARTA's service area.

For more information, please contact the paratransit customer service center at 404-848-5389.

Earlier this week, MARTA announced an increase in ridership, in line with national trends that show an overall increase in public transit use. From July to December 2006, MARTA's passenger counts grew by 7.2% and passenger revenue increased by 3.8% over the same period last year. Nationwide, public transit ridership grew by 2.9% from 2005 to 2006.

MARTA's increase is attributed to a variety of factors. The new Breeze fare collection system is now installed system-wide, allowing MARTA to more accurately record passenger counts and collect fares as a result of new, dependable fare collection equipment.

The system has also restored nearly 40% of bus service levels that were cut in recent years during times of economic hardship. In addition, the population in MARTA's service area continues to grow. In-fill development and projects near rail stations, including the Authority's aggressive Transit Oriented Development program make transit more accessible and easier to use.

Finally, gas prices continue to rise — encouraging customers to leave their cars behind and take advantage of MARTA's $1.75 fare and various discount programs designed for frequent users.

MARTA has joined with Safe Lites, LLC, CBS Outdoor and RE/MAX of Georgia to introduce the first ever "illuminated" bus advertisements in North America using GlowSkin™ Active Illumination Technology manufactured by Safe Lites, LLC (Eden Prairie, MN). RE/MAX of Georgia's "illuminated" advertisement campaign is featured on twelve MARTA buses using GlowSkin technology - an industrial-grade electroluminescent (EL) powered lighting system that glows.

GlowSkin offers companies a new, innovative way to advertise on MARTA and has the potential to increase advertising revenue for the Authority. These new buses have already attracted significant attention from customers, advertisers and other transit agencies throughout the country.

GlowSkin is extremely thin and flexible, requires minimal energy to power and can be produced in nearly any color, size, or shape. GlowSkin has also been used for safety purposes to enhance the visibility of vehicles, equipment and people.

MARTA's bus, train, rail station and bus shelter advertising program is coordinated by CBS Outdoor and generated $4.3 million in revenue for MARTA last year.

MARTA is the official transportation provider for Atlanta's inaugural ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon -- providing the best way for runners, spectators and volunteers to get to the starting line on March 25th. MARTA's rail service begins at 5 a.m., and Five Points Station provides easy access to Underground Atlanta where both races will start and finish. Spectators can also get to a number of locations on the course using MARTA.

Fare can be purchased at all 38 rail stations or at the ING Georgia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, March 23rd and Saturday, March 24th. The Health and Fitness Expo, at the AmericasMart, is also easily accessible by taking MARTA to Peachtree Center Station. The Expo is free to the public.

The ING course travels through 26.2 miles of metro Atlanta's most interesting and historical areas including the Sweet Auburn District, Inman Park, Decatur, Midtown and Downtown. The race is expected to draw 15,000 participants and have an estimated $21 million economic impact on the city.

Traveling to Six Flags and Braves games is now even easier and more affordable on MARTA! MARTA kicked off its express shuttle service to Six Flags at the beginning of March, and service to Braves games will begin for the pre-season game on March 30th.

In previous years, MARTA had charged an additional $1.00 to ride the Braves Shuttle and $.75 for travel to Six Flags to cover the costs associated with running a special shuttle service. MARTA's Board of Directors recently approved removal of these surcharges, and customers will now be charged the regular fare of $1.75 each way. (MARTA's monthly, weekly, and other discount passes can also be used on these routes.)

The Braves Shuttle begins 90 minutes before each game and runs every 15 minutes throughout the game until one hour after the final out. It originates from the Underground/World of Coca-Cola Plaza and returns to that location until the seventh inning. After the seventh inning, fans are returned to MARTA's Five Points Rail Station.

The Six Flags shuttle service runs from the H.E. Holmes rail station on the East/West rail line directly to Six Flags. The service operates every 40 minutes on the days the park is open from approximately one hour before the park opens until approximately one hour after closing.

Parking for less than 24 hours is free at all MARTA parking facilities.

For more information about the Braves and Six Flags shuttle services please contact MARTA customer service at 404/848-5000 or visit www.itsmarta.com.

MARTA will hold a Community Exchange meeting on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the John Birdine Community Center (215 Lakewood Way) to discuss opportunities to improve service in the South Atlanta Corridor, which runs south of Auburn Avenue & I-20, North of Virgina Avenue, West of Moreland Avenue and East of Lee Street. This community exchange is part of MARTA's regular effort to receive public feedback and ensure that service continues to meet the needs of customers.

All members of the public are invited to attend and offer comments about service in this community. Staff will be available to gather input, provide information and answer questions.

Directions using MARTA:
From Five Points Station, take MARTA Bus Route 17 Inman Park/Lakewood to Lakewood Way.