MARTA Opens Driver Training Center in Lakewood

The new operations training center aims to address driver shortages, overtime costs and on-time performance at the transit agency.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Employment

MARTA Opens Driver Training Center in Lakewood

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MARTA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday at its new operations training center at the Lakewood station. The center plans to train 15 new drivers every five weeks.

Why it matters

MARTA was $109 million over budget in 2025, with overtime pay tied to driver shortages contributing significantly, and its on-time performance has fallen below its 78% threshold. The training center is intended to add operators and reduce reliance on outside testing.

MARTA ran $109 million over budget in 2025, according to figures reported last month. The agency's on-time performance has lagged below its 78% threshold, and the amount of projected savings from the new center has not been specified.

The players

MARTA

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority is the public transit agency serving the Atlanta region, operating buses and rail.

The details

MARTA trained drivers at the Lakewood station into the 1980s before sending drivers to Georgia Piedmont for testing by a contractor. The new Lakewood center is intended to bring that work back in-house.

Monday, November 2, 2026: MARTA holds the ribbon-cutting for the Lakewood training center.
October 2026: MARTA announces the $109 million 2025 budget overrun.
Into the 1980s: MARTA last trained drivers at the Lakewood station.

Riders in Atlanta may see changes in service reliability as MARTA adds trained operators. The practical effect on fares or schedules has not been announced.

The takeaway

Staffing shortages drive both cost overruns and service delays, so workforce investments can address more than one problem at once. Atlanta commuters should watch for on-time performance updates as the new center ramps up.