Don't let MARTA changes catch you by surprise

While some MARTA riders may have learned the hard way that the trains won't start as early on weekends, others will be adjusting to changes to their weekday commutes starting Monday.

MARTA service reductions went into effect Saturday. The agency cut 10 percent of bus service and 14 percent of rail service as it tried to address an estimated $109 million deficit. Government and transit agencies across the country and metro Atlanta have faced cuts because of the tough economy.

Fare increases for passes (for two to 30 days) and the final phase-out of tokens will happen at the beginning of October, and shuttles to Braves games and Lakewood Amphitheatre will be eliminated next year.

Detailed maps posted on MARTA's website and at train stations show how bus routes will veer away from less-used paths, or take longer routes to pick up dropped portions of other buses. In general, train passengers will see slightly longer waits, and more who take branch lines will have to stop for transfers.

Here's a reminder of the changes that went into effect Saturday, including revised hours for a host of services:

• Need help? Detailed information is available on MARTA's website, itsmarta.com. If that doesn't help, MARTA is answering route questions at 404-848-5000.

• Buses: MARTA has eliminated 2,700 of 11,500 bus stops. Those stops were marked with a "Rider Alert" sign. Detailed explanations of each route change, and new route maps, are available online at itsmarta.com. End-of-the-line stops show the new routes.

• Trains: Waits for trains will increase by up to five minutes. The first hour of weekend train service has been eliminated, and trains will start at 6 a.m. There will be smaller trains at night, with fewer cars. Final train runs start at 1 a.m., even on weekdays. More passengers will have to transfer between train lines when using the red and green lines. Those lines will start running their shorter runs at 7 p.m., earlier than before. Basic terms of the longer headways and train line changes are online at itsmarta.com.

• Call centers: Route information, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays. Customer services, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.

• Five Points information booth: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, no holidays

• Ride stores: Closed at Lenox and Lindbergh; open at the airport and Five Points stations.

• Restrooms: Closed to the public everywhere except nine stations: Bankhead, College Park, Doraville, Edgewood/Candler Park, Five Points, Hamilton E. Holmes, Indian Creek, Lindbergh and North Springs. To get access, you must ask a station agent. They open at 6 a.m. every day. Everywhere but Five Points, they close at 7 p.m. Five Points' restroom closes at 10 p.m.