Uber continues its collaboration with Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) through the MARTA Connect Early Bird Program.
Originally launched in 2016, the partnership helps address gaps in MARTA’s early morning service by offering riders up to $5 off Uber trips between 4 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on select routes, improving transit accessibility across the Atlanta metro area.
MARTA recently updated the program to meet the growing demand for morning services. The Uber subsidy now applies to select routes, including 21, 75, 82, 85, 103, 132, 140, 141, 185, 188, and 899, ensuring coverage for key areas during early hours.
"At Uber, we share MARTA’s goal of getting more people to their destinations safely and efficiently. We share their vision of an Atlanta that is less congested, has lower emissions, and is less dependent on cars. And just like MARTA, our Uber Atlanta team is dedicated to finding the best ways to serve communities all across this city we’re all proud to call home. So it’s only natural that we should work together," said Luke Marklin, former General Manager for Uber in Atlanta.
Since its launch, the MARTAConnect program has become a model for other cities seeking to enhance public transport by integrating rideshare services. By picking up where MARTA leaves off, Uber continues to ensure a well-connected and robust transit network, even during service disruptions such as the ongoing detour on Route 183 due to safety concerns.
The Uber Transit team has collaborated with over 80 public agencies to support their objectives, including enhancing paratransit and microtransit services and addressing first-mile/last-mile transportation challenges.
According to an NYU report, there is a significant positive correlation between public transit use and ridesharing services. The study indicates that as the frequency of public transit use increases, the likelihood and frequency of ridesharing use also rise. This suggests that ridesharing complements public transportation by helping users bridge gaps in their travel, particularly for first-mile/last-mile connectivity.