Anchored by MARTA and served by four additional service providers, the regional transit system provides commuters travel options. As part of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), transit plays a major role in alleviating congestion and improving air quality while supporting the goals and policies of the Regional Development Plan. The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), working with regional partners and service providers, reviews, analyzes, and incorporates transit projects such as capital expenditure, operations and maintenance into its planning process.

Envision 6, the region’s current RTP, includes several different types of transit projects and covers a range of transit modes that combine to create a seamless transit system allowing commuters to connect easily to numerous destinations.

While transit has the benefit of single-occupant vehicle (SOV) reduction, the main objective is to provide additional travel options to regional citizens. By providing numerous alternatives to the SOV, the regional transportation system will become more efficient and comprehensive.

As a result of the Regional Transit Institutional Analysis Study, a partnership of local governments, state agencies, and current transit providers came together to discuss the establishment of a seamless, integrated transit system in the Atlanta region. The Transit Planning Board or TPB, was created to focus on the development of a regional transit plan, improve regional system coordination, system performance measurement, and act as an advocate for increased federal funding for the regional transit system. Established in January 2009, the Transit Implementation Board (TIB) is currently guiding the implementation of TPB Concept 3, the long-range transit vision for the Atlanta region developed by the board's predecessor, the Transit Planning Board (TPB).