W
e have heard our customer’s
complaints and listened to their
concerns. In response, we are setting
standards for riding MARTA and we
have developed a strict Code of Conduct we have named “Ride with Respect”.
MARTA’s Customer Code of Conduct
Food, Drink, Alcohol
and Drugs
TRANSIT VIOLATIONS AND
PROHIBITED BEHAVIORS
a. Open food containers are prohibited.
Customers may use resealable drink
containers. Customers may also provide
food or drink to children under age five.
The Code prohibits inappropriate behavior
on MARTA property. The following policies
summarize the Code and its prohibited behaviors.
Animals
b. Drinking alcoholic beverages and open
alcoholic beverage containers are
prohibited.8
a. Animals other than service or guide
animals are not allowed. Service animals
must be accompanied by a disabled
person or service animal trainer.
This summarized brochure of MARTA’s
proposed “Ride with Respect” will provide the scope of behaviors and activities that will be prohibited on MARTA. If
you have questions or comments about
this proposed code and enforcement,
we invite you to share them by leaving
a message at 404-848-5299.
c. Using tobacco or electronic cigarettes or
vaporizers is prohibited.9
Commercial Activity/
Solicitation
Noise
a. Solicitation or Selling goods or services
without the express permission of MARTA
is prohibited.1
b. Distributing handbills and fliers without
the express permission of MARTA is
prohibited.2
f. No roller-skating, roller-blading, or
skateboarding on buses or rail cars or in
transit stations.
Conduct/Civility
g. No indecent exposure.5
c. Customers should not distract the
operator with conversation.
h. No stealing or willfully harming MARTA
property is prohibited.6 MARTA will
prosecute anyone who steals or willfully
damages MARTA property.
b. No littering.4
c. No commercial or large-size carts, dollies,
or strollers, unless collapsed. Small
strollers or carts must be securely held
and not block passageways.
Safety
a. Customers may not remain aboard
MARTA vehicles if instructed to exit by
an authorized person. This includes after
the vehicle has finished its route or has
entered an area closed to the public.
i. Any other behavior that hinders the
comfortable use of transit facilities is
prohibited.
d. No offensive personal hygiene conditions.
Fares
e. Children 46 inches and under must be
closely accompanied at all times by an
Solicitation or Selling goods or services without
the express permission of MARTA is prohibited.
b. Behavior that hinders other passengers
from using MARTA facilities or services is
prohibited. This may include unreasonably
loud, indecent, or drunken behavior.
older responsible person.
a. No spitting, defecating, or urinating.3
1
2
3
4
a. Music devices, such as iPods and mobile
phones, must not be audible to other
passengers.10
Music devices, such as iPods and mobile phones,
must not be audible to other passengers.
b. Customers may not pass through
emergency doors in MARTA vehicles
unless there is an emergency.11
a. Refusal to pay fare is grounds for
expulsion.
b. Customers may not counterfeit, misuse,
or refuse to show specific fare media to
MARTA employees.7
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a.1)(1)
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a.1)(2)
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a)(1)
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a)(2)
5
6
7
O.C.G.A. § 16-6-8
O.C.G.A. § 16-8-1 through O.C.G.A. § 16-8-7
O.C.G.A. § 16-8-5.2, O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120.1
c. Customers may not enter the operator’s
8
9
10
11
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a)(4)
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a)(3)
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a)(5)
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a)(10)
Proposed “Code of Conduct”
cab or driver’s seat of any MARTA vehicle
unless there is an emergency.12
LENGTH OF SUSPENSIONS
d. Assault or threat of assault is prohibited.13
The following table shows the length of
suspension for different levels of violations:
e. Customers must not hinder the operation
of a MARTA vehicle.14
Violation
f. Customers may not enter any public
transit bus through the rear exit door
unless directed by the operator or other
authorized MARTA personnel.15
g. Customers must stand behind the yellow
standee line at the front of the bus near
the driver’s seat.
h. Fighting is prohibited.16
i. Disruptive, harassing, or threatening
behavior is prohibited. This includes
following or stalking passengers or
employees.
j. Customers must not avoid or hinder
working security measures, such as metal
detectors.17
Weapons
a. Customers may not bring firearms unless
they have a valid weapons carry license.
Firearms prohibited by federal law are not
allowed in transit facilities or vehicles.
b. Customers may not carry or possess
dangerous items. This may include knives
larger than five inches, flammable liquids,
toxic substances, or sharp objects.
c. Using matches or lighters is prohibited.
12
13
14
15
16
17
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a)(11)
O.C.G.A. § 16-5-20, O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a)(7)
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-120(a)(8)
O.C.G.A. § 16-5-20, O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21,
O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23, O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.1
O.C.G.A. § 16-12-125(a)
PENALTIES
Failure to follow the Code may result in
immediate expulsion from MARTA property,
suspension from the use of transit property
and services, and loss of unused fare media
that expires during suspension.
Those who feel that they have been unfairly
cited for Code violations can contest their
suspension with the MARTA Suspension
Panel.
LENGTH OF SUSPENSIONS
The following table shows the length of
suspension for different levels of violations:
Length of
Suspension
Misdemeanor or other
violation; no violence,
injury, or property
damage
7 days
Criminal offense not
otherwise defined
14 days
Vandalism, trespass
(not including
the violation of a
current suspension
or expulsion notice),
fraud, or dumping
chemicals/hazardous
waste or toxic
materials
60 days
Crime against a person
or involving a weapon
365 days or
permanent ban,
depending on the
severity
Everyone deserves to enjoy the ride.