Three young men from Chicago have set out to make history by attempting a Guinness World Record for the fastest ever ride of every MARTA station — a unique challenge through Atlanta’s metro rail system.
Joebe Barbosa, Matthew Plese, and Omar Yousaf — already holders of the world record for fastest Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) travel — began their ambitious journey at 3 p.m. Thursday at the North Springs station on MARTA’s Red Line. The trio navigated all 38 stations across the four lines, ending just before 6:30 p.m. at the Airport Station with a final time of 3 hours, 21 minutes and 37 seconds.
The men faced some setbacks along the way, missing several train connections by mere seconds — costly delays that added nearly 30 minutes to their overall time as they waited for subsequent trains. “Things today were just out of our control. There was nothing we could do,” Barbosa said after the ride.
Although MARTA does not currently have an official world record category, Barbosa noted that it could take Guinness World Records a month or more to verify their attempt as an official record.
Adding to the excitement, the team encountered another group also attempting the same challenge toward the end of their journey. In a spontaneous moment aboard a Red Line train, both groups engaged in an impromptu rap battle, entertaining media riders and highlighting the fun spirit of the effort.
Whether the record is officially recognized or not, the trio’s successful run underscores both their passion for transit challenges and Atlanta’s extensive rail network — and now leaves fans waiting for Guinness’s final word.
