ATLANTA -- In what is being described as a first in the nation, MARTA rail cars will soon house monitors that will broadcast updated news segments from Channel 2 Action News, music and transit service information.

The monitors, which will have closed captioning, are slated to be installed this spring in 115 MARTA cars, due to a partnership between The Rail Network, MARTA and WSB-TV/Channel 2.

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The new wireless service was unveiled Tuesday during a news conference attended by several dignitaries, including Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and MARTA GM Nathaniel Ford.

"I grew up before television was that available in your homes," Franklin said. "To now have it on a rail car (is) pretty terrific."

Company executives developed the rail-car network over four years. Founder David Lane said the news content will mirror what passengers would see at home if they were there.

"You're going to be watching updated television programming from the No. 1 network affiliate in Atlanta (that is) continuously updated throughout the day and relevant to local commuters," Lane said.

The technology allows the company to broadcast special reports over the MARTA rail network seconds after they have aired on Channel 2.

“Certainly we’re proud that Channel 2 Action News was The Rail Network’s first choice for local news” said Greg Stone, WSB-TV's general manager. “We see this as another opportunity to deliver the latest news coverage you can count on to people when they can really use it. We think it’s a terrific way to help people stay informed while they use MARTA to get to their destinations.”

The monitors and the local programming are the product of Lane and fellow executive Evan Borak, who founded their company in Atlanta to develop their patented technology for MARTA, according to a published report.

Lane and company executives told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the firm is in talks to expand its business, but said they plan to run the company from their Perimeter Center offices in Atlanta.

Officials told the newspaper that the monitors come at no cost to MARTA, which will receive at least $20 million over the next 10 years from The Rail Network. Revenue is provided by advertisers seeking to reach the 220,000 daily MARTA riders, the AJC reported.

MARTA passengers will be able to hear the programming through their cell phones or FM radios provided they have their own headsets. Captioning will provide words for those who don't have devices to listen to the content.

The monitors will be mounted from the ceiling and will be visible throughout the rail car. Programming will be broadcast in English and Spanish.

Ford said he thinks the screens will increase passengers' satisfaction with MARTA.

"Your time will go by faster and it's a much more pleasurable ride," he said. "I think for everyone involved, it's a win-win."

wsbtv.com Staff Writer Alfred Charles and Channel 2 Action News reporter Ross Cavitt contributed to this report.