(The Center Square) – Atlanta’s transit system, expected to see an influx in two weeks from global soccer’s biggest stage, is under investigation for security protocols by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday.
The probe begins less than two weeks before thousands of visitors are expected in Atlanta for eight World Cup games.
The probe comes after a 66-year-old woman was stabbed to death while riding a Metro Atlanta Transportation Authority train on Saturday. Six days before the fatal stabbing, another man was stabbed during an altercation at a station overseen by the transit system, commonly known as MARTA, according to the Transportation Department.
“Every American should be disturbed by the horrific crimes we have seen on MARTA in the last month,” Duffy said in a statement. “No one should be forced to fear for their safety simply because they choose to ride public transit. From our nation’s capital to Chicago, we’ve made substantial progress in holding systems accountable and enhancing security for transit workers and riders.”
MARTA spokeswoman Stephany Fisher said the safety and security of their customers and employees is MARTA’s number one priority.
“Every day thousands of MARTA employees show up to work at our stations, on our buses and trains, and in our facilities and offices to keep Metro Atlanta moving in a safe and secure manner,” Fisher said in an email to The Center Square. “We welcome the opportunity to share with federal officials the hard work that the MARTA team puts in every day as well as the significant investments in personnel, technology, and operational measures that MARTA has in place to support safety and security across our entire system.”
The MARTA Police Department has 280 officers and monitors 12,000 security cameras, said MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher in a video with interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt posted to social media on Wednesday.
MARTA crime statistics show that officers investigated one homicide in 2025, down from four in 2024. Robberies decreased from 34 to 24 and aggravated assaults decreased from 64 to 28. The only crimes that increased were rapes, from one to two and arsons from two to five. Crime increased on MARTA buses but decreased on its rail system, according to the statistics.
Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has made safety issues around Atlanta’s transportation system a part of his gubernatorial campaign. He called for an increased police presence on MARTA.
“A woman lost her life this weekend when a deranged homeless man stabbed her to death on MARTA,” Jones said in a Tuesday statement before the investigation was announced. “Atlanta is hosting the World Cup this summer and this is an embarrassment and a tragedy.”
Rick Jackson, Jones’ opponent in the June 16 primary, praised the Trump administration’s investigation.
“President Trump is serious about keeping Georgians and Americans safe – and unlike Keisha Lance Bottoms, I’ll work with his administration to do so,” Jackson said in a social media post he shared about the investigation.
Bottoms is the Democratic candidate for governor.
