Train delays after Shakira concert are latest cause for concern for MARTA

Scheduled track maintenance coinciding with heavy crowds leaving pop star Shakira’s concert Monday night led to MARTA train delays — another black mark for the agency as it prepares for thousands of additional riders during next summer’s FIFA World Cup.

There was a packed house at State Farm Arena for the concert, the first time the Colombian singer has headlined an Atlanta show since 2006. When the concert wrapped up a little before 11 p.m., departing fans crowded onto packed trains only to run into single-tracking — when trains run in both directions on one track, effectively creating delays by cutting available service.

I got lost taking MARTA, but I will ride again

Crowds began stacking up on the train platforms, particularly at the GWCC/CNN Center station, which serves the arena, and at Five Points station, where riders can transfer to the north-south lines.

On X, formerly Twitter, MARTA said single-tracking was put in place because of a mechanical issue. A spokesperson for the agency later told the AJC the post was incorrect, and said single-tracking was in place to do scheduled maintenance between the Garnett and Civic Center stations…

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