Atlanta debuts its new automated shuttle ATL Spoke connecting MARTA to the BeltLine

The BeltLine launched its 12-month electric, autonomous shuttle service ATL Spoke pilot program on June 5 after an initial soft launch period that began on May 31.

Up to 12 passengers can now grab a ride on a shuttle, and during the pilot program, the service is free.

The shuttles run daily from noon to 10:00 p.m. on most days; on World Cup days, the service window is longer, from 8:00 a.m. to midnight. The shuttle is scheduled to come every 12-15 minutes, and it is being billed as a safe, reliable service that will “complement existing MARTA service and improve the linkage between MARTA rail and the Beltline,” according to the official page about the service.

Though the service is autonomous, each shuttle will come with a shuttle attendant to answer questions and take over in the event of an emergency.

The vehicles themselves, Karsan’s Autonomous e-JESTs, are controlled by autonomous mobility services provider Beep’s control centers and use autonomous vehicle software developed by Adastec.

Its two-mile pilot route connects the Beltline Southwest Trail with MARTA Rail, with stops reportedly at MARTA West End Station, Joseph E. Lowery Blvd at Beecher Street, and “two stops within the Lee+White district.” By Fall, Phase II of the project will extend north to the Atlanta University Center.

A map showing the current Phase I route of the ATL Spoke, as well as Phase II.. (Map from the Atlanta BeltLine.)

The vehicles arrived just in time for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, of which Atlanta is one of several host cities throughout North America.

The shuttle comes on the tailwinds of the latest in the BeltLine rail debate; CEO Alex Taylor of Cox Enterprises recently took out an op-ed in the Atlanta Journal Constitution criticizing the idea of BeltLine rail, an idea in which proponents argue the original idea of the Beltline includes light rail parallel to it. Supporters of rail quickly took to social media to defend the idea and push back on the piece. Not long after, Ivan Schustak published a rebuttal to Taylor’s op-ed in the AJC as well. Mayor Dickens has previously supported BeltLine rail but recently reversed course on moving it toward becoming a reality.

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