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MARTA’s replacement railcars pushed beyond 2026 as safety reviews continue
MARTA CEO Jonathan Hunt says safety checks and certifications for the agency’s new CQ400 trains could take another six to eight months, making a 2026 launch impossible. The trains were originally expected to debut in June, and the agency has not announced a new start date.
Atlanta’s new MARTA trains will not enter passenger service this year, CEO Jonathan Hunt said Wednesday, as safety reviews and certification work continue on the delayed fleet.
Hunt said it could take another six to eight months to complete the required checks and certifications. MARTA has not set a new launch date, and the reason for the length of the remaining process was not clear.
The CQ400 railcars were initially expected to begin service in June, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That launch was postponed because the trains had not yet received state certification. The postponement came days after a fatal stabbing aboard a MARTA train; no connection between the incident and the delay has been established.
Built by Swiss manufacturer Stadler, the new railcars are intended to replace MARTA’s aging fleet, which includes trains dating to 1979. The delay leaves riders waiting longer for the planned replacement vehicles, with no confirmed timeline for when they will begin operating.