MARTA parking jumps $2 a day at Dunwoody, Sandy Springs stations as free window shrinks

Commuters who park at the Dunwoody MARTA station will pay $2 more per day and lose 10 hours of free parking starting Monday, Sept. 14, the transit agency announced Thursday, Aug. 20.

The long-term rate at Dunwoody rises from $5 to $7 per day, and charges begin after just 14 hours instead of the current 24-hour free window. That means a commuter who parks at 7 a.m. and returns after 9 p.m. will owe $7 under the new structure, where previously they would have owed nothing.

Sandy Springs station faces the same increase. Kensington, Lenox and Medical Center round out the five stations moving to $7 after 14 hours, according to MARTA's press release. Four other stations with higher existing rates — College Park, Doraville, Lindbergh and North Springs — will jump from $8 to $10 per day.

Free daily parking lots elsewhere in the system are not affected.

Why now

MARTA said the increase supports maintenance and future upgrades, follows market conditions and moves its parking operation toward self-sufficiency so that parking revenue covers its own costs without drawing on fares or tax dollars. The agency has not raised system-wide parking rates since 2009, a gap of 17 years. End-of-line stations saw a separate bump in 2017.

Since 2024, MARTA has installed new automated gates, payment kiosks, call boxes, license-plate readers and lighting across its paid parking facilities, Urbanize Atlanta reported. The extra $2 per day is expected to generate roughly $500,000 in additional annual operating revenue to help cover those upgrades and fund upcoming security and lighting improvements, according to 11Alive.

MARTA said its rates will remain "well below market rate" compared to commercial garages near Hartsfield-Jackson airport and in Buckhead.

What it means for Dunwoody riders

The practical hit lands hardest on airport-bound travelers and anyone whose car sits overnight. A three-day trip that previously cost $10 under the old 24-hour free window will cost significantly more once the shorter 14-hour window and higher daily rate take effect.

Daily round-trip commuters who park less than 14 hours will still pay nothing.

No named MARTA spokesperson was identified in the agency's announcement, and no Dunwoody or Sandy Springs elected official has commented publicly on the increase. The rate change was included in MARTA's fiscal year 2027 budget, which went through a public comment period and community meeting in April before the board's vote. New rates take effect Sept. 14.