Sec. Duffy says MARTA met safety deadline amid World Cup operations

The federal investigation of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) continues as Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said MARTA authorities met their first deadline.

Soccer fans have taken advantage of Atlanta's public transit as eight World Cup matches will be played in the city over the course of the month-long tournament.

As of June 26, approximately 1.7 million people have taken MARTA in the first 15 days, including 220,000 on a single Wednesday for the Morocco versus Haiti match. This is 2.3 times the normal capacity for the train on a normal weekday.

MARTA rides have been largely uneventful, though crowded, and stations have been filled with songs, cheers and more as fans head to and from the stadium and various fan festivals across Atlanta.

Duffy announces federal investigation of MARTA

Ahead of the World Cup, Sec. Duffy announced a federal investigation into the transit system following the fatal stabbing of Margaret Swan, an Atlanta great-grandmother who was attacked at random on a MARTA train.

Swan's assault came after other random attacks in the city, and had locals avoiding the trains.

When one German soccer fan visited Atlanta, he called a MARTA station a "GTA lobby," referencing a dangerous and often violent video game.

The MARTA transit system was given 15 days to provide reports on crime and fare evasion mitigation, security and safety funding, historic crime trends, annual budgets and other safety compliance information.

"The (Federal Transit Authority) investigation will determine if systemic conditions exist that endanger the public or transit workforce on the Atlanta system," the department said.

At the same time, the FTA said it would conduct an independent assessment of MARTA's Safety Risk Reduction Program and investigate the agency's implementation of the Required Actions Regarding Assaults on Transit Workers general directive from 2024.

"I want ANSWERS from Atlanta," Duffy said in a June 4 post on X.

MARTA meets first deadline, investigation ongoing

On June 26, Duffy said MARTA had met the agency's initial deadline of 15 days, providing the necessary material while the transit system was also ensuring the safety of World Cup passengers.

The FTA will now begin its "comprehensive review," according to Duffy.

"While MARTA met our initial deadline for a response and assured us they are taking action, we won't stop there," Duffy wrote in a post on X. "We are examining every aspect of their plan to verify if substantive improvements are being made. This includes pouring over hundreds of pages of documents and conducting on-site visits to see the situation on the ground. We will continue to work to secure Atlanta's system for passengers and transit workers alike."

Along with the millions of passengers who have used MARTA for the World Cup, the transit authority said MARTA Transit Ambassadors have worked 4,000 shifts, along with additional law enforcement who were called into Atlanta for the tournament.

"The MARTA Police Department is working with partner law enforcement and public service agencies, as well as FIFA, to provide a unified secure environment. MARTA Police officers are working 10- to 12-hour shifts, six days a week patrolling trains, stations, buses, bus transfer hubs, and parking lots," MARTA officials said. "A contingent of officers with Denver’s transit agency is providing additional support and visibility. Sworn MPD officers on desk duty have been reassigned to patrol trains and station platforms."

Crime has decreased in Atlanta since start of World Cup

According to the Atlanta Police Department, overall crime declined by 8% during the tournament's first week, despite an estimated 500,000 visitors participating in matches and fan events across the city.

The data was presented last week during a meeting of Atlanta's Public Safety Committee.

Deputy Chief Jason Smith told city leaders the department saw an overall reduction in crime compared to the same period last year.

Officials said the decrease came during a time of year when crime often trends higher because of summer heat, longer daylight hours and school breaks.

Three more World Matches coming to Atlanta in July

There are three more World Cup matches on the way for Atlanta. Here are the remaining matches:

• Wednesday, July 1 — Group L winners vs third place from Group E/H/I/J/K, round of 32 - Shop tickets
• Tuesday, July 7 — Match 86 winners vs Match 88 winners, round of 16 - Shop tickets
• Wednesday, July 15 — Match 99 winners vs Match 100, semifinal - Shop tickets

Irene Wright covers MARTA as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].