Breeze Card Valid on All Xpress Routes
APRIL 19, 2010 UPDATE - The new annual corporate Breeze Card is now operating correctly on Xpress coaches.
These cards are given to corporations/businesses to provide employer-based transportation funds to their employees. This is why it is referred to as an “annual Breeze Card.”
These cards are pre-loaded by the employer and are registered by the employer. (The employers actually own the card). Customers boarding with Xpress initially will have to have an Xpress fare loaded on their card. Customers can independently load stored value (cash) or GRTA, CCT, or GCT fare products on this card. However, under MARTA's rules, if the card is lost, stolen or damaged, only the employer amount will be restored back to the employer, not the patron.
Previously the transfers were not working with the annual corporate Breeze cards. MARTA implemented a fix, and they are now working. You must now tap your card to ride. The free transfer is only permitted once you have ridden a MARTA bus or train.
Tapping on and off a MARTA bus or tapping in and out of a MARTA rail station, without taking a MARTA ride, in order to obtain a free transfer on your Breeze Card constitutes fare evasion. GRTA may withdraw privileges of riding Xpress from those customers who intentionally commit fare evasion.
For more information please telephone MARTA's customer service center at 404-848-5000.
Xpress customers may use the Breeze Card on all Xpress coaches managed by the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) and operated by ProfessionalTransit Management (PTM), Cobb Community Transit (CCT) and Gwinnett County Transit (GCT). Customers who use MARTA as part of their commute, or prefer to have a single transit fare pass, may choose to purchase the plastic Breeze Card from MARTA. For MARTA information about the Breeze Card, click HERE.
The plastic Breeze Card is not required in order to ride the Xpress coaches, but the plastic Breeze Card, or the paper Breeze ticket, are required if you want to obtain a free transfer from MARTA bus or rail to the Xpress coach. You must first ride the MARTA train or bus before obtaining a fare transfer. Customers who do not ride the MARTA train or bus before tapping out to obtain a free transfer are committing fare evasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I purchase a Breeze Card?
The Breeze Card is sold by MARTA. Click HERE for information on where you can purchase the card.
Will GRTA Continue to Sell Xpress Passes?
GRTA will continue to sell its magnetic-striped GRTA Xpress fare passes. The Breeze regional smart card is required only if you want to obtain a free transfer to MARTA.
What can I put on a Breeze Card?
You may electronically load a) a GRTA Xpress fare pass, b) a Cobb Community Transit fare pass, c) a MARTA fare pass or d) cash (stored value) to the Breeze regional smart card. The GRTA Xpress fare passes available to load to a Breeze Card are the 20-Ride Pass, 40-Ride Pass or the 31-Day Pass. Look for the GRTA logo. For Gwinnett County routes (408, 410, 412 and 418) at this time you may only load cash as stored value.
Can you pay for a round trip fare with the Breeze Card?
No. The round trip fare is not available on the Breeze Card. You can use the cash stored value to pay the $3 fare each way. You can still pay a $5 roundtrip fare using exact cash, but you will not receive a free transfer to MARTA.
Can you pay a reverse commute fare with the Breeze Card?
Yes. The Breeze system will only deduct the half-fare from the stored value (cash) on your card. However, you cannot load a 31-Day reverse commute fare pass on the card.
Where can I load fares on my Breeze Card?
You may use the Breeze vending machines located in the MARTA stations. On the vending maching, choose the regional transit partner option, and then choose the GRTA Xpress far or CCT.
The Breeze Card (left) is a plastic card as thick as a credit card. It contains a microchip to store fare passes and other information. The Breeze ticket (right) is a one-time only fare pass that you receive from the Breeze vending machine, or a monthly pass that is provided to employees by their employers who particiapte in the MARTA Partnership Program. You cannot load additional fares on the paper Breeze ticket, but you can tap it to transfer for free.
My employer only provides a Breeze Card. How do I also get an Xpress pass?
At this time, MARTA is only providing employers participating in its Employer Partnership Program with a monthly paper Breeze ticket. You cannot electronically load a GRTA Xpress fare pass on the ticket. Check with your Human Resources Department or transit benefits coordinator to see if your employer will provide you with both the MARTA monthly pass and a GRTA Xpress fare pass.
Why is there not an Xpress fare on my Breeze Card?
You may not have a plastic Breeze Card but a MARTA paper Breeze ticket. The fare is pre-loaded by MARTA on a Breeze ticket and you cannot load other fares to the paper ticket. You can load a GRTA Xpress fare on the plastic Breeze regional smart card.
I have a problem with my Breeze Card. Who do I contact?
MARTA is responsible for Breeze Card customer service. You may reach MARTA at:
(404) 848-5000
breezecardservice@itsmarta.com
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. M-F
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.
Closed Sundays and some Holidays
For further information, you may want to visit www.breezecard.com
I am using the Breeze Card and riding the Xpress coach. Why do I have to call MARTA with a problem about my Breeze Card?
MARTA operates the financial clearinghouse for the Breeze regional smart card program. MARTA Breeze customer service staff have access to that information. GRTA does not sell the Breeze Card. You may contact the MARTA Breeze Card customer service line at:
(404) 848-5000
breezecardservice@itsmarta.com
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. M-F
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.
Closed Sundays and some Holidays
I used the Breeze Card on the Xpress bus and it deducted $3 for my trip and not $1.75. Why?
The one-way fare on MARTA is $1.75, and the one-way fare on Xpress is $3 (on routes 412 and 418, operated by Gwinnett County Transit, the one-way fare is $4). Even though you may be using the Breeze Card, the fares charged by the individual transit services do not change.
When I tapped the farebox with my Breeze Card, it did not recognize my transfers and $1.50 was deducted from my card. What do I do?
If you have a problem with your Breeze Card, please contact MARTA at:
(404) 848-5000
breezecardservice@itsmarta.com
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. M-F
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.
Closed Sundays and some Holidays
Because GRTA accepts the Breeze Card, the assumption is that the pricing is the same! Please explain.
Transit fares are set by each individual transit provider.
How do I get these incorrect overcharges refunded to my Breeze Card?
Please contact MARTA at:
(404) 848-5000
breezecardservice@itsmarta.com
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. M-F
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.
Closed Sundays and some Holidays
Will passengers be able to load the card with the correct amount of money at the kiosks in the Marta stations? Will there be something on the kiosk that will distinguish that the card is being loaded for express bus only?
Yes. You may load cash as stored value on the card, a MARTA fare pass, and/or a GRTA Xpress, or CCT Xpress to the Breeze Card. For a CCT or GRTA fare, choose the Regional Transit Partner option and choose either CCT or GRTA. You will see the GRTA logo for the GRTA Xpress fare products.
I paid $3 for my Xpress fare. Why can I not receive a free transfer?
You paid a cash fare. Customers who pay cash and do not use a Breeze Card or the Breeze monthly paper ticket are not eligible for the free transfer.
For additional information about the Breeze Card, visit www.breezecard.com