Atlanta transit agency MARTA in partnership with Georgia state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is giving two retired subway cars a new life. After carrying millions of passengers the two railcars will become an artificial reef following their retirement. The railcars were placed into the water on December 21, 2023 approximately 20 nautical miles east of Ossabaw Island.
A Sustainable Rail Car Retirement
In July 2022, the MARTA board of directors voted to donate the recently retired railcars to the Georgia DNR. Prior to transfer to the DNR, MARTA stripped the railcars of any hazardous materials and potential contaminants. The U.S. Coast Guard than provided final approval. “This project has been a long time in the works, and we are so glad to have these MARTA cars offshore now to provide essential fish habitat, diving opportunities, and another great offshore fishing location,” said Cameron Brinton, marine biologist DNR Coastal Resources Division.
A Growing Trend In Artificial Reefs
The retired MARTA railcars will reef attract popular sportfish species and will be available to scuba divers immediately. The New York MTA retired aging subway cars back in 2010 making room for newer trains. 110 of the retired subway cars were also dropped off the coast in Georgia and converted into artificial reefs. Beyond trains, retired U.S. Army M-60 battle tanks and tug boats also saw new life as an artificial reef. Coordinates to the artificial marine reefs can be found at CoastalGaDNR.org/HERU.