Red Line (MARTA)

     Red Line
Overview
Type rapid transit
System Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
Status operational
Locale Atlanta, Georgia
Termini North Springs (north)
Airport (south)
Stations 19 (11 North, Five Points, 7 South)
Operation
Opening 1981
Operator(s) MARTA
Technical
Track gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Electrification third rail
Highest elevation at grade, elevated, underground
Red & Gold Lines
Legend
North SpringsParking, Ridestore
Sandy SpringsParking, Ridestore
DunwoodyParking
Interstate 285
DoravilleParking
Medical CenterParking
ChambleeParking
Brookhaven/OglethorpeParking
Buckhead
LenoxParking, Ridestore
Georgia 400
Lindbergh CenterParking, Ridestore
Interstate 85
Arts Center
Midtown
North Avenue
Civic Center
Peachtree CenterAtlanta Streetcar Downtown Loop
Five PointsBlue & Green Lines, Ridestore
Garnett
Interstate 20
West EndParking
Oakland CityParking
Lakewood / Fort McPhersonParking
East PointParking
College ParkParking
Interstate 85
AirportRidestore

The Red Line is a rapid transit line in the MARTA rail system. It operates between North Springs and Airport stations, running through Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Atlanta, East Point and College Park.

The Red Line was originally called the North-South Line until MARTA switched to a color-based naming system in October 2009. The North-South Line, from its launch, was considered one line (denoted with the Orange Line color on old system maps) until 2006 when the North Branch and the Northeast branch were redesignated as the North-South Line (the current Red Line) and the Northeast-South Line (the current Gold Line).

The rail line was part of the launch of MARTA north-south rail service in 1981. The first segment ran from the Garnett to the North Avenue stations, although the Peachtree Center opened the year after as an infill. In 1982, it expanded north to Arts Center, and in 1984, expanded as far north as Brookhaven and as far south as Lakewood/Fort McPherson. The East Point station opened, extending the line two miles to the south. A little more than a year later, the Chamblee station began service and served as the temporary terminus of the North Line. In 1988, the Airport station opened, and became the terminus of the South Line. In 1992, the North-South Line was extended northward to its current terminus at Doraville. In 1998, MARTA extended North Line services to Dunwoody. This created two branches of the North Line, and the Doraville branch was redesignated as the Northeast Line to avoid confusion. It finally extended north to its current terminus at North Springs in 2000.

Now known as the Red Line, it shares trackage with its counterpart, the Gold Line, between Airport and just north of the Lindbergh Center.

On weekdays, after 8:30pm, Red Line shuttle train service operates between North Springs and Lindbergh Center stations only until the end of the service. On Saturdays and Sundays, Red Line shuttle train service operates between North Springs and Lindbergh Center stations only from 8:50pm until the end of the service. When major single tracking occurs, Red Line train service operates between North Springs and Lindbergh Center stations only.

Stations

listed from north to south

Station Code Opening
year
Rail Line
Transfer
Service
All
except
nights
Nights
North Springs N11 2000
Sandy Springs N10 2000
Dunwoody N9 1996
Medical Center N8 1996
Buckhead N7 1996
Lindbergh Center N6 1984     
Arts Center N5 1982     
Midtown N4 1982     
North Avenue N3 1981     
Civic Center N2 1981     
Peachtree Center N1 1982     
Five Points 1981*               
Garnett S1 1981     
West End S2 1982     
Oakland City S3 1984     
Lakewood/Fort McPherson S4 1984     
East Point S5 1986     
College Park S6 1988     
Airport S7 1988     

External links