Blue Line (MARTA)
Introduction The '''Blue Line''' is a rapid transit line in the MARTA rail system. It operates between Hamilton E. Holmes  and Indian Creek stations, running through Atlanta, Decatur and portions of unincorporated DeKalb County.The Blue Line was previously called the '''East-West Line''' until MARTA switched to a color-based naming system in October 2009.The East-West Line, from its launch, was considered one line, denoted with a blue color on old system maps until 2006 when the West branch and the Proctor Creek branch were redesignated as the East-West Line (the current Blue Line) and the Proctor Creek Line (the current Green Line). Using the Five Points station as a reference, the East Line was designated for trips headed to Indian Creek, while the West Line was designated for trips headed to H.E. Holmes.The rail line was part of the initial launch of MARTA rail service in 1979.The first segment ran from the East Line segment from Georgia State to the Avondale stations upon the opening in June of that year. By the end of 1979, it extended west to the Hightower station (now Hamilton E. Holmes) on the West Line segment, which serves as that station's terminus. Although the North-South line was expanded throughout the 1980s, the East-West line did not see any extension since its opening until 1992 when the Proctor Creek branch of the line opened to its terminus at Bankhead station. It finally extended to its current eastern terminus at Indian Creek in September 1993.Now known as the Blue Line, it shares trackage with its counterpart, the Green Line, between just west of Ashby and Edgewood/Candler Park.
Line description The Blue Line runs above ground, at-grade and below ground in various portions of its route. It begins at the western terminus of H.E. Holmes station, paralleling I-20 and ML King Drive through West Atlanta. It is joined by the Green Line before Ashby station. The Blue Line enters downtown Atlanta, where it meets the Red and Gold Lines at Five Points station. It continues into East Atlanta (where the Green Line terminates at Edgewood/Candler Park station), then enters DeKalb County, including Decatur, before reaching its eastern terminus at Indian Creek station.
Stations ''listed from west to east'' Station Code Opened Rail LineTransferHamilton E. Holmes  W5  1979  West Lake  W4  1979  Ashby  W3  1979  Vine City  W2  1979  GWCC/CNN Center  W1  1979  Five Points   1979*    Georgia State  E1  1979  King Memorial  E2  1979  Inman Park/Reynoldstown  E3  1979  Edgewood/Candler Park  E4  1979  East Lake  E5  1979  Decatur  E6  1979  Avondale  E7  1979  Kensington  E8  1993  Indian Creek  E9  1993  *Note:  The North-South (now Red/Gold Line) platform opened in 1981.
References
External links *  Blue Line overview*  Blue Line schedule