General
Getting/Using Your Breeze Card
Balance Protection
Fare Programs and Policies
Breeze Card Care
Tokens
General
Q: 1. What is Breeze?
A: Breeze is MARTA’s new state-of-the-art fare collection system. The Breeze system collects fares using smart cards instead of tokens or magnetic stripe cards. Its features include six-foot, Plexiglas entry gates; interactive Breeze Vending Machines; “tap-and-go” card readers on entry gates, buses and Paratransit vehicles; and a state-of-the-art computer system that links everything together.
Q: 2. What is a Breeze Card?
A: The Breeze Card looks like a credit card, but it has a computer chip inside that can be loaded with cash value or a discount pass. The Breeze Card is a reusable, plastic card designed to be used by most MARTA customers. It offers many features, such as Balance Protection (sign-up required) and convenient reloading at dozens of locations – and, in the future, the Internet. Breeze Cards can store cash value or discount passes, like 7-day or 30-day Passes.
Q: 3. What is a Breeze Ticket?
A: The Breeze Ticket is a paper smart card designed to be used by visitors. It expires within 90 days of date purchased and can only store cash balances or passes that cost less than $20. No discounted fares are available and it is only available at Breeze Vending Machines.
Q: 4. Why did MARTA change to a smart card system?
A: Breeze replaced an aging fare collection system – the old token machines and turnstiles are gone, and new Breeze Vending Machines and fare gates have been installed. But, Breeze is much more than equipment. The new system will also help MARTA:
- Focus on Customer Service: New equipment frees up MARTA's frontline staff to better serve you.
- Improve Reliability: New vending machines, plastic Breeze Cards, entry gates and "tap-and-go" card readers create a more reliable system.
- Learn More About Your Needs: More accurate, real-time route and ridership information will help us plan routes and service schedules that better meet your needs.
- Capture Lost Revenue: Broken fare gates and turnstile jumpers cost MARTA millions of dollars a year. Breeze’s six-foot entry gates greatly reduce fare evasion and allow MARTA to better maintain the system.
Getting/Using Your Breeze Card
Q: 5. Where can I get a Breeze Card? How much does it cost?
A: Breeze Cards are available at any MARTA RideStore, or from a Breeze Vending Machine. There is a one-time charge of $5 for the purchase of a new Breeze Card. Although additional fare must also be loaded onto the card, the $5 fee does include two free trips.
Q: 6. Where can I get a Breeze Ticket? How much does it cost?
A: The Breeze Ticket is only available at Breeze Vending Machines in MARTA rail stations. There is a one-time charge of 50¢ for the Breeze Ticket. The Breeze Ticket can be reloaded for 90 days. After 90 days the ticket expires and a new Breeze Ticket will need to be purchased.
Q: 7. Can someone help me learn to use new Breeze system?
A: Yes, customer service representatives are stationed in MARTA stations during peak periods to help you use the Breeze Vending Machine and fare gates. In addition, you can call our Breeze Information Line at 404-848-5000, from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday.
Q: 8. How can I check the balance my Breeze Card?
A: Go to a Breeze Vending Machine and press the “D” button to check your balance. Tap your card on the round, blue Breeze target and your balance will show on the screen. In addition, your current balance will briefly be displayed on the reader screen after you tap in at a rail station or board a bus.
Q: 9. How do I get my transfers?
A: When you leave a rail station, tap your card or ticket on the round, blue Breeze target to load your transfers. (Transfers automatically load when boarding the bus, so this step is not necessary when getting off a bus.)
Balance Protection
Q: 10. What is Balance Protection?
A: Breeze’s Balance Protection Program preserves the value of your card in the event that it is lost or stolen. It enables us to issue you a new card with the balance remaining on it at the time you notify MARTA. We will cancel your old card so no one can use it. (You will be charged a $5 fee for the replacement card.)
Balance protection is a free service, but you must call 404-848-5000 to activate the program on your card.
Note: Balance protection is not offered on the Breeze Ticket – treat it the same as cash. MARTA cannot replace a lost Breeze Ticket.
Q: 11. How do I sign up for Balance Protection?
A: Call 404-848-5000 today to activate Balance Protection on your card. Hours of operation are 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Closed on Sunday and most Holidays.
Q: 12. What do I do if my card is lost or stolen?
A: If you have signed up to participate in the balance protection program, call 404-848-5000 as soon as you notice your card missing. We
will immediately cancel your old card and transfer the remaining value
to your new card.
If you have not signed up for the balance protection program,
we have no way to deactivate your old card.
Fare Programs and Policies
Q: 13. Will monthly and weekly passes still be available on Breeze?
A: Yes. Instead of getting a new TransCard each week or month, you will re-use your Breeze Card. Simply go to a RideStore or Breeze Vending Machine and reload. In addition, YOU will now determine when your passes begin.
- A 7-day pass can start any day of the week and is good for seven consecutive days after you first use it.
- A 30-day pass can start any day of the month and is good for 30 consecutive days after you first use it.
If you purchase your monthly pass from your employer or university, your card will be reloaded by your administrator – no need to get a new card each month!
Q: 14. Will I still be able to purchase discount passes through my company or university?
A: Yes. Your administrator will give you a Breeze Ticket to use in Summer 2007. Do not sign up for a Breeze Card or purchase one on your own – it will not work with company or university pass programs.
Q: 15. How will Breeze work with young children?
A: Children under the age of six ride MARTA free, so they do not need a Breeze Card. To enter a rail station, they must be with an adult who has a Breeze Card or Ticket. The adult should either carry the child or hold the child’s hand and enter through the wider, handicapped gate.
Q: 16. How will Breeze work with personal care attendants?
A : Personal care attendants ride free
with patrons who use the MARTA Mobility L-Van service.
Q: 17. How will the Breeze Card work with connecting transit systems – like Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton & GRTA?
A: COBB – You can use Breeze Cards in Fall 2007.
Breeze Card Care
Q: 18. If I keep my Breeze Card or Ticket next to a credit card, will it get demagnetized?
A: No. Breeze Cards and Tickets do not contain magnetic material, so they can’t be demagnetized.
Q: 19. If I keep my Breeze Card or Ticket next to another smart card will it still work?
A: Keeping smart cards next to each other will not damage the cards. However, Breeze targets and fare boxes may not be able to read your card when it’s next to another smart card. If this happens, simply separate your Breeze Card from the other card and tap it on the target.
Tokens
Q: 20. Why is MARTA getting rid of tokens?
A: Metal tokens are costly and cumbersome to handle and store, and they require complex accounting processes. The new Breeze system is more efficient and cost-effective, and will save MARTA money.
Q: 21. What should I do with my tokens?
A: You can use your tokens
to purchase a single ride on a Breeze Ticket at any Breeze
Vending Machine in any rail station. On the bus, you
may continue to use your tokens as you do now. You
may also take your tokens to a RideStore and have the value
transferred to a Breeze Card (the ridestore can only transfer
tokens in multiples of 10). Ask at a Ridestore for more details
on our Token Exchange Program. If you have bulk tokens please
contact 404-848-4188/4113.
