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By Beltline Advocate

July 21, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

Somebody needs to call the ugly baby an ugly baby!!! MARTA has proven over the years that they are not capable of managing the money, people, and infrastructure needed for a regional agency. I really believe that the recent Gwinnett vote was not a refection on transit but more a reflection on MARTA. They continue to push bus travel on a populace that wants other options (like streetcars and light rail). They continue to run routes that are not profitable and not really speak to the community and ridership that could make a difference.

How can Denver, Charlotte, Portland, San Francisco, New Orleans, and other cities get it right in a very short amount of time while MARTA still wallows in their own ineptitude.

The Beltline efforts are moving along and MARTA are slowly trying to buy their way into the management role for this transit endeavor as well. They are loaning Atlanta Beltline Inc. money and letting them dig their way further in to the pockets of the people of Atlanta. There will come a time where the decision for a transit operator will have to happen and you can bet MARTA will be there offering Debt forgiveness in exchange for that role.

By red

July 21, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

Like it or not, it comes down to cost/benefit.

There are not many people outside of the core metro that are willing to pony up additional taxes and risk having marta use that money in areas other than from whence it came.

By CJ

July 21, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

It’s simple: Republicans enjoy sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. The other AJC article this morning states that Gwinnett has become a home to drug cartels. You’ve already got crime… MARTA will just help the crime get into the city a little faster and without clogging up the interstate.

MARTA really is not the mass transit solution. It would be best to leave MARTA alone and instead build train systems that terminate at MARTA stations. The MARTA rail technology and the MARTA organization are both too antiquated to extend further.

By winkasdad29

July 21, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority should be responsible for mass transit in Metro Atlanta. They should hire people who have had experience in managing, funding, operating and growing mass transit in all its forms, bus, rail, etc.

The MARTA name should be retired because it suggests to many people’s minds ineptitude and indifference. It is time for GRTA to be what its acronym stands for - a transportation authority.

It is a shame when smaller cities and regions such as Nashville and Salt Lake City commence commuter rail service while all Metro Atlanta does is make mass transit a political football.

By Joey

July 21, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

The key to my no vote was “MARTA’s Board of Directors will get the proceeds from a 1% sales tax in Gwinnett”.

Over the last 30+ years The MARTA Board has failed to earn any trust.

In my view an honest AJC that is concerned about public transit would write an expose about all of the times when the MARTA Board of Directors has failed. Failed those same people that it is intended to serve.

If we clean house and establish a system for monitering behavior, then maybe, I could press the YES button.

By brian

July 21, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

The only way to fix this is to have the “STATE” run the mass transit system. Letting each county decide how to solve their transportation issues will not yield a great solution for the whole region. Each county will protect its interest at the expense of its neighbor. Sad, but it is how it works. Imagine if we built roads this way. We’d have great 4 lane roads all over the state. In and around Atlanta, we’d have the same 4, may 6 lane roads and gridlock disaster. But, since DOT manages those projects across the state, they can allocate more dollars where needed. They haven’t done the best job of this as Atlanta is lagging behind the rest of the state (thank politics for that) but they have been able to provide some equity and that’s much better than none.

The STATE should take over MARTA and mass transit should receive and appropriation. Are we still the only state that doesn’t fund Mass Transit? All that motor fuel tax and we don’t give a penny to MARTA…

By former marta rider

July 21, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

I agree with the posters who posters who said the vote may be more of a comment on Marta than on public transit in general. I live in DeKalb and was a faithful Marta rider. It’s great for getting to downtown (if you leave near a station) or to the airport. I now work in Alpharetta and there just isn’t a remotely convenient way for me to get to work on Marta. The Atlanta area needs options that don’t hinge on the current Marta route in/out of downtown.

By No to MARTA

July 21, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

I voted “NO” on the tax increase in Gwinnett for MARTA. I did this because it was a question about MARTA not a question about mass transit. The plans that were provided only served a small population and only reached the Pleasant Hill Mall area. I would vote “YES” to an Am Trak type of service to downtown. I would consider “YES” to a state run system. I might even consider “YES” to a Gwinnett run light rail. There is no way I am going to agree to fund a system with my tax dollars that will provide no real service to me or my fellow residents of Gwinnett County. Nor do I want to give money to an institution that has a history of wasting tax payer dollars.

By $ Bill

July 21, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

As a Gwinnett resident who voted “YES” last week, I have had time to think about the issue now that a lot of analysis has gone on since last Tuesday.

First of all, I don’t think it was fair that the poll question was different on the Democrat and Republican ballots. Secondly, the MARTA issue is the sticking point that has me reconsidering my vote. I WANT transit in the worst way, but NOT necessarily a system run by MARTA and its cloudy history. I think the regional system should be run by GRTA and operated similar to transit systems like those in the NY/NJ area, Denver, Chicago and etc.

Establish a system that will benefit the needs of everyone and people will be behind the 1% sales tax and for changing the traffic congestion problem.

By Praveen

July 21, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

MARTA is a joke. It runs too slow. It takes 45 min to get to the airport from NorthSprings. I take MARTA only during rush hour to the airport. Otherwise, I am better off using my car. I optimize my trips a lot anyway. Also their weekend and night service on the North Springs line is unacceptable.

MARTA also need to think of mixing in smaller buses or maybe vans for some of their less crowded bus routes. This way they keep up the frequency without the massive buses being rolled out all the time.

I do think the whole unsafe thing is overstated. I have been on MARTA several times and while I saw some funny weird people, it was nothing out of the ordinary for mass transit. We live in a freaking society, and you can’t expect perfect people. People need to stop living scared.

By Roscoe

July 21, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

We definitely should have one regional transit provider.

It cannot, must not, and should not be MARTA nor be built on the MARTA social service model. There’s far too much political baggage that goes with MARTA for it to work.

It must be regional - think 28 counties like the census bureau counts as our region - or more.

Everyone must pay - by a sales tax, a payroll tax, or a per capita-based tax of some sort on each county.

No county may opt out - just like with the gas taxes.

Everyone gets representation - on politician/elected official, one citizen member. County Commissioners appoint the citizen, the Governor with the approval of the Georgia Senate, appoints the elected officials.

It’s run by an executive director who reports to the board. The staff is hired from scratch - there are plenty of good, intelligent folks at MARTA, GRTA, GDOT, Private Industry and elsewhere that can make it work.

It operates the system, plans it’s expansion and growth, builds the expansion, sets the fares, etc. It decides where the buses go, where the trains go, and where whatever else goes.

It’s goal - move people - ultimately we want a transit system for the region as extensive and comprehensive as the highway system.

By eljewell

July 21, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Very very sickening. We need Marta to expand into the outer counties. The Governor should make this happen. What a shame that there is not a better way to unclog the streets of metro Atlanta.

By Bolen

July 21, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

What we really need is a true cross-county regional transportation authority that is supported at both the state and local levels. You know, like every other major city in the world. The world abounds with fine examples of how to run a transit system. Why do we in Georgia never seem to get it?

Someone needs to remind GDOT they are the department of Transportation, not just a department of roads and bridges. Or perhaps that’s just roads, since so many bridges are rotting away.

It never fails to amaze me how any road project, no matter how high the estimate, doesn’t ever seem to cause anyone to blink. But make a public transit proposal, and no matter how cheap it is, there’s instant screaming and moaning about the cost.

By MyOpinion

July 21, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

While I agree that and overhaul is needed at MARTA, I also feel that it is unfair what everyone says about MARTA. MARTA is the only transportation system that I know of that is ran by income received from sales taxes, riders fare and private contributions. Other systems in which MARTA is being compared too, such as DC transportation system, has local and state funding to support the systems. I also feel that if Fulton, Dekalb and the other counties that approved of a 1% tax in their areas to support MARTA, then MARTA should cater to the areas where there are taxes to support it. So for Gwinnett and any other county who doesn’t want to support MARTA through a sales tax, do not complain that MARTA does not cater to your needs, and that they are incompetent just because MARTA cater to areas that approved of the sales tax or other forms to support it.

For those who complain that MARTA takes a long time on a route, W T H you thought it was going to do, pick you up then immediately drop you off at your destination ignoring everyone else that needed the transportation service? Drive your car around and pick up people every 1000ft and see how much time it takes from the start of your drive until you reach your destination, also getting other people to their destination. Yes a car can be more convenient at times, but if you are going to be stuck in traffic for an hour for a ride that should have taken 30 minutes in a car, at least you can have some personal time and read for that hour and a half on the bus while saving money on gas, instead of having to pay attention to where you are going and being stressed for that hour in your car.

By JP

July 21, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

I’m with brian—however, I don’t ever see north Georgians allowing an authority larger than themselves decide anything. This area will NEVER get mass transit to the outer counties because everyone thinks they are totally and completely independent.

Same reason this city has no cohesiveness or sense of place.

Prove me wrong, I dare you!

By MARTA Rider

July 21, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: one of the keys to a bright future is a good sized, UNITED mass transit system. I think it’s stupid Cobb and Gwinnett counties have their own and that they didn’t join MARTA when it formed many years ago. Now look where we are: congested streets with rail in only 2 counties when it could be 7 or 8 perhaps! People need to wake up and realize gas prices aren’t improving anytime soon and that MARTA is way more cost efficient and cleaner that driving. Look at NYC and Washington DC. Both have very large transit systems. I think we can do the same starting now. Any to all of you whole think mass transit brings/creates crime I want to see some concrete evidence/proof.

By Jan

July 21, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

CJ that was the old Cobb County argument. That Marta would bring crime to the county. The criminals would ride the train out to Cobb County, steal our TVs and carry them back into the city on the train. It wasn’t true then and isn’t true in Gwinnett.

Republicans - generally - are more fiscally conservative than Democrats. My guess is that more Republicans than Democrats would prefer their tax money be spent somewhere other than Marta.

By Bolen

July 21, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

Jan,

You’re thinking of old-school Republicans, like Bob Barr. New-school Neocon Republicans spend money faster than any Democrat ever dreamed possible. Today, it’s the Democrats who are the fiscal conservatives.

By Gwinnett Stuck in 20th Century

July 21, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Bolen is right: “Someone needs to remind GDOT they are the department of Transportation, not just a department of roads and bridges. Or perhaps that’s just roads”

GDOT spends 99% of its time appeasing road builders, who throw big campaign contributions to our elected state reps & senators.

ANd State Transportation Bd. member Davis Doss openly pimps for road builders.

Back to Gwinnett, there too much racism still in the county for people to realize the economic benefits, environmental benefits, and quality of life improvements rails brings. Racism is alive and well in Gwinnett.

Funny though, conservative Republican bastions like Dallas, Charlotte and Salt Lake City have added rail or in the process of doing so.

Give me rail from ATL through Gwinnett to Atehns. Give me rail to the Gwinnett Arena and Mall of Georgia!!

By Ben

July 21, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

The letters ‘MARTA’ are interpreted to be an extension of the politics of the city of Atlanta and thus unacceptable to the Atlanta region as a whole. A regional entity such as GRTA should manage a combined/regional mass-transit authority with a state mandated time table to develope and operate an integrated regional transit system.

By will

July 21, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

MARTA is not a well run public transit sysytem. The bus drivers are for the most part, VERY RUDE, although there are some exceptions. They dont run the rail system effectively.

On the weekends, they require those traveling on the North/South Line to the Airport to get off at Lindbergh and wait for a Northeast/South train to complete their travel. Many patrons have heavy luggage that has to be removed and then put back on the Northeast train.

Another major problem with MARTA is that is has “too many chiefs and not enough indians”.

By x-marta boy

July 21, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

will, god forbid someone let you run it, since you dont seem to understand how to post on a blog!! 18 freakin times, gimme some of what u smokin!!!!!!

By Christopher

July 21, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Whether or not MARTA is run well isn’t something I can address because I haven’t looked at their finacials (and I’m not going to post something SEVENTEEN times about it). I do agree that it is cumbersome for N/S riders to have to change at Lindbergh on the weekends, but because of the single-tracking that is necessary. I take MARTA frequently (bus and rail), and have only encountered one driver who was rude, and he’s ALWAYS rude when I take his bus. All the other drivers have been very friendly, but we can certainly all have different experiences.

I do have to ask why, if Gwinnett County residents are so concerned about criminals coming into the county via MARTA, do they allow GCT to connect via MARTA at all, let alone for free? I feel there should be 2 fare structures, one for residents of Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb, and another higher one for everyone else.

As for who should run a regional system, I agree that it shouldn’t be MARTA. It should either be GRTA or a new agency that is not tied to any specific county’s influence.

By Our ELected Officials are Ignorant

July 21, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/stories/2008/07/21/atlantabicyclistdanger.html

Portland, with 11,000 bike commuters, has dedicated 160 miles to bike lanes. Houston has a 277 miles of on-street bikeways. Atlanta’s bike lanes total 30 miles.

By Praveen

July 21, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Oh please. Give me a break on the excuses for its slowness. The 45 min ride has something to do with the many stops, but not everything on the north south line. The train is just too freaking slow even when there is a decent long segment to travel (between Medical Center and Buckhead ). And I will reiterate that I just have no patience to take MARTA on the weekend or nighttime. I actually understated how annoying it is during those times. And someone could use some creativity in skipping certain stops on some routes leading to faster travel and not much lower frequency on those occasionally skipped stops. People could always get down prior to their skipped stop and take the next train to the skipped stop.

And those MARTA kiosks are some of the dumbest user interfaces I have seen. The fact that MARTA employees still need to help people buy a ticket is evidence enough.

And you ever try to get a schedule at the airport MARTA station? Employees over there are clueless about schedules.

By BPJ

July 21, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Here’s a suggestion: ask the voters in the November election, in Gwinnett and Cobb, but this time give two choices. First, ask whether they would pay a 1% sales tax to extend MARTA to their county. Then, ask whether they would pay a 1% sales tax to extend rail (commuter & mass transit) run by GRTA to their county. According to most of the people commenting here, the second question would receive a substantial majority vote in favor.

By Bolen

July 21, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Praveen said, “…someone could use some creativity in skipping certain stops on some routes leading to faster travel…”

What, you mean express trains? Now there’s a novel idea…. :)

It’s too bad MARTA rail, such as it is, was built on the cheap. Double tracking in each direction (4-tracks) gives you benefits like: 1) 24-hour service (no need to shut down for track inspections); 2) Express trains that don’t have to slow down because of platform proximity; 3) No shunting of north/south or east/west trains into the same track due to track replacement work, causing logistic delays.

Reminds me of the difference between a politician and a statesman. A politician thinks about the next election. A statesman thinks about the next generation. We could use a few good statesmen.

By bryan

July 21, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

I don’t know who should run it but I know that no one outside of ATL, Fulton and Dekalb should say anything at this point. People complain about a system that is ineffective and inefficient but use all the time. No one wants transit in their neighborhood because of the fear of crime but then complain because they can’t get anywhere without a car. This is even true with people in Fulton and Dekalb. Look at the Emory area. There should be atleast 2 rail stations there but no one wanted the rail to slice their neighborhood in half. If a train bridge can cut you area in two then the area wasn’t as whole of a community in the first place. People should have been looking at how to include the rail and stations into the area rather than looking at it as something that would divide them. Now they have just a few bus routes and tons of traffic when there could have been fast running rail and a pedestrian friendly neighborhood that could have even produced faster running bus service in the area. There should be heavy rail in Cobb, Clayton and Gwinett counties because they are part of the “big 5” that make up the primary urban region. There shouldn’t be 5 different systems. There should be one transit system and you can divide it by counties similar to NY or LA. In NY they have it by borough (ex. Q40 runs in Queens and the B40 runs in Brooklyn or in LA they have local buses that run to downtown numbered 1-100 where local buses in west LA are numbered from 101-199) Now the metro area is obviously far larger than just those 5 counties and that is where commuter rail and express buses should come into play. Now you can have something similar to the LIRR in NY for commuter rail in the counties outside of the “big 5” and have an express system of buses to counties that may not be dense enough for rail. But even then it still should be one system. I say the name MARTA only but of what the acronym stands for. If you want a say so in how the system is run then you have to buy into the system and pay for it. And yes every dime that is paid for out of Gwinnett will NOT be used in Gwinnett. It is a metro system meaning that every one pays in and the money is used to better the entire system not just your area. The rail stations are going to bring dense pedestrian friendly development … no thugs and criminals. More people walking means less cars on the road and better air quality and with more people in the area will mean more policy presense. The rail stations would be the some of the safest areas in the counties and most transit oriented development is going to be high end so there will only be people there that can afford it. People need to understand that this is public transit and you are going to have some people that you aren’t necessarily going to want to ride with but if they aren’t bothering you don’t bother them. If you are staring at someone or giving them a funny look of course they would say something to you… wouldn’t you? A one region system would be better than 5, all with different agendas and goals. There is not a great transportation system here because no one is working together for the common cause. Gwinett wants it one way but it’s just for the people of Gwinett. Most people probably don’t work or commute just in Gwinett. What if you need to go to Cobb. There is no connection besides taking GCT #10 to the Marta NE line to the N5 station an then to CCT #10… wow all that and there could just be a direct cross route or even a cross heavy rail line that doesn’t run downtown but connects with the trains that do. There has to be one agency with one goal… that is to move people around the metro area. Marta has no state funding and no funding from any of the metro area counties other than Fulton and Dekalb but it is used and worn down by those counties. Now that doesn’t justify some Marta official mis-using money but in a sense look at it like this…if you want something done right then do it yourself so that means Gwinett, Cobb, Clayton and the other surronding counties have to pay to have a say. Then you’ll have all the counties working together for one goal and everyone will have a say in who is running the system.

By riffraff

July 21, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

There’s too much riffraff on Marta.

By Christopher

July 21, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

If you’re concerned that you might run into riff-raff, perhaps you should never leave your house. There are people who are different from you EVERYWHERE. Despite what Fox News tells you, very few of them even care that you are there, let alone want to bother you.

Here’s a great way to get people not to bother you on MARTA. Ignore them. Don’t look at them and don’t make eye contact. Have a book open, and if you’re not reading it at least look like you are.

In 20 years of riding MARTA, I’ve only had maybe 2 or 3 people start talking to me, and the last one told me she loved me! Instead of being afraid, see the humor in it.

By v63sfo

July 21, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

I loved MARTA when I lived there from ‘92 to ‘98. It was cheap and very efficient. It was a shame that it didn’t extend to Cobb and Gwinnett counties, considering that I had work there. I live in the Bay Area now and while we have ample transportation, it’s “much” more expensive and less convenient than MARTA overall. I live in Oakland and must travel to San Francisco several times a week. Just a bridge separates the two towns but I have to take 3 separate transit agencies (AC Transit to BART (rail) to SF MUNI (busses and street cars). That’s 3 separate fares totaling $11.70 cents round trip. I can literally “see” where I’m going from my house. None of the fares work together like MARTA. There are no Transcards that you buy to reduce prices. BART charges by distance, so it’s “more” for people that live farther out. Gwinett just simply needs to approve the sales tax. It’ll save money in the long run. The longer they wait to buy in, the more expensive it will be to implement the system.

By professional skeptic

July 21, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Well put, Bryan. The Metro region needs a SINGLE regional rail system, run by a SINGLE regional transit authority.

The goal will be to move people as efficiently as possible throughout the entire region— NOT just within the borders of each county or city.

No county or municipality should be able to opt out. You will have to pay, if you want to have a say in how things are run.

The time for finger-pointing, name-calling and complaining is over. It is time to embrace a plan like Concept 3 and move forward from there.

By Praveen

July 21, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

As much as I bash MARTA, I find a lot of the naysayers kind of offputting. They exaggerate the crime. They never offer their own suggestions. Why don’t these cowards just stay home. For those hesitant to have a certain type live in your neighborhood thanks to MARTA, how do you you think this certain type will commute to your house to do chores with the current gas prices? Atlanta and the suburbs are very badly planned. The close minded suburbs should have worked with the city to develop a dense development along the MARTA lines stretching all the way to Alpharetta(north south). And then leave it up to the local neighborhoods further away from MARTA to develop as they please.

By $ Bill

July 21, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Way to go Bryan on your 1:04 post!

By $ Bill

July 21, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Way to go Bryan on your 1:04 post!

By Dejay

July 21, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Bryan hit the target, bullseye on the mark. If your county isn’t ‘putting out’ and paying tax $$$ like the folks in the city of Atlanta, Fulton and Dekalb counties are, here’s some advice; keep quiet.

The fact that we are still debating the validity of rail service of ANY kind in the midst of congested highways, a recessed economy, and $4 gasoline is beyond description. The fact that folks are still fearful of ‘those people’ bringing crime to their perfectly gated communities by being able to get on a rail is asinine to the nth degree.

We all know MARTA has more than its share of problems but don’t blame them for not being ‘good’ enough for your county when it wasn’t built for your county. Don’t complain about the mismanagement of $$$ by MARTA officials if you’re living in a county that doesn’t support it. Folks in Atlanta, Fulton, and Dekalb have that right; you DON’T.

People are soooooo quick to complain about the high commute times and gas prices but when there’s an alternative presented, its struck down quicker than Ben Franklin’s kite. You can’t have it both ways.

There should have been UNIFIED transit service in EVERY Metro Atlanta county by now; heavy rail/bus service within I-285 (much more than it is now), followed by light rail in the suburbs (Gwinnett, N. Fulton, Cobb, Henry, etc.) that can connect to rail stations within I-285, then express bus service for the outlying areas (Rockdale, Fayette, Cherokee). An expensive solution but a solution nonetheless.

By Matt

July 21, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Praveen,

If you take a look at Modern MARTA, you will see just the development you’re looking for. Notice how the density of population increase as you approach a station (North/North East Lines). All of the stations in Midtown, from Peachtree Center to Art Station all occur within high density zones. Lindbergh through North Springs, each station is acting as a node for development. East/West lines are not developing as rapidly as the North/North East lines mainly due to the socio-economic status of the residents along these lines. However, they are still following this development trend. At the end of the day, the suburbs are not truely “closed minded,” its more along the lines that the population density in these areas does not warrant an effective system, as these areas are generally sparse.

An extension of MARTA to Gwinnett Place/316, and an extension to Marietta are logically lines, in that they would work for a “local” train system. Beyond that, densities are to sparse to warrant that style of system. A Commuter rail/express style of system would make sense to the outlying cities of Gainsville, Cumming/Dawsonville, Acworth/Canton/Cartersville. Since growth is occuring rapidly to the south now, commuter rail/express lines would make sense to Macon, Griffin/Lovejoy, & Henry County. East/West expansion should occur out to at least Thorton Rd (West) and Stonecrest Mall (East).

Currently, the Transit Planning Board (tpb.ga.gov) is developing an all encompassing plan, including funding options for the metro area. All 13 area county commissioners, GRTA, GDOT, City of ATL, Decatur, etc, MARTA, CCT, CTRAN, Gwinnett Transit are all associated members of this board. They identify marjor/minor lines and transit nodes across the 13 county metro area. Their main goal is to reduce congestion & spur smart development throughout the region. However, their projected cost by 2030 is roughly $54 Billion with an annuitized cost of $2.4 Billion/year (GDOT’s total budget is roughly $2.0 Billion/year).

By Joey

July 21, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

If Fulton and DeKalb held a vote in November to renew the MARTA 1% sales tax, would it pass?

That will be reality in a few years. The current authorization is scheduled to expire.

Maybe we should hold that vote before we have one in Clayton, Cobb and Gwinnett.

By Sick of the Surburbs

July 21, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Point #1

I agree 100% with all the posters who states, “Rail should be governed region wide by a single entity.” M.A.R.T.A. stands for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. As such, MARTA is the only authority with experience planning, building, and maintaining rail lines. What other entity has this experience in the State of Georgia?

MARTA does an absolutely incredibly “good” job moving its patrons from point A to point B.

As one of the only transit systems in the country to receive ZERO ($0.00) from its home state (Georgia)

With only two (Dekalb and Fulton counties) out of 28 Metropolitan Atlanta counties contributing to the funding (1% sales’ tax) for MARTA –

Still MARTA allows all other regional transit providers (CCT, GCT, C-Tran, {Soon GRTA too!}) “FREE” transfers into its rail/bus systems:

Given the constraints MARTA has to work with – Let me restate — MARTA not only does a “good” job - MARTA does a DAMN GOOD JOB!

POINT #2

As a resident of Cobb County: I am the proud owner of a MARTA Breeze Card. Recently, I had no one to pick me up at the airport. Instead of taking a taxi cab that would have costs close to $100 for a 45 minute ride; I chose instead to take the MARTA train HE Holmes, jump on the #30 CCT bus and was home in 1 hour, 15 minutes at a cost of $1.50.

I have been lobbying the leaders of Cobb County for years for some type of rail service. I do not see how I as a non contributor to the MARTA system should be able to ride their system so inexpensively.

I also, can not criticize, complain or comment on the way MARTA is maintained, managed or operated. Until I live in a county that fully funds a regional train/transit system-I should and do keep my mouth shut.

Point #3 As for all the MARTA “waste” & “mis-management” I hear the posters talking about – GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLES. I said this to a State representative and I will say it to you, “For every penny MARTA mis-manages and/or “wastes” – I can find one dollar the Georgia D.O.T. mis-manages and/or wastes.”

FOR EXAMPLE: Without any media attention, voting or consulting of the masses – DOT is widening I-85 south from Peachtree City exit to Newnan from 3 lanes in each direction to 4 lanes in each direction. The State continues these 4 lanes in each direction from Newnan to below Grantville. Total expansion is approximately 30 miles.

There is rarely if ever any traffic congestion on that stretch of highway. Why the expansion? How much is the cost to Cobb and Gwinnett tax payers? Who is benefiting from this road construction other than the Road contractors?

To add insult to injury in expanding I-85 South: the road contractor(s) from Newnan to Grantville elevated the road bed of the new lanes approximately 2 to 4.5’ feet above the existing two lanes. Every single bridge/overpass had to be raised by the same amount for proper vehicle clearance. This stretch of roadway is not in a flood plain. This stretch of roadway has never flooded. Why spend the money to elevate it? There are numerous other examples of DOT’s wasteful spending.

• How much are the Ramp meters costing? What will their effect on traffic be?

• How much did the courts recently award two DOT employees who were sexually discriminated against?

• What is the true budget deficit at the D.O.T.? Is it $7 million or closer to $1 Billion tax payer dollars?

These are a miniscule few examples of Georgia tax payer dollars WASTED and/mis-managed! Thank you Georgia D.O.T.

By Sick of the Surburbs

July 21, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

Point #1

I agree 100% with all the posters who states, “Rail should be governed region wide by a single entity.” M.A.R.T.A. stands for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. As such, MARTA is the only authority with experience planning, building, and maintaining rail lines. What other entity has this experience in the State of Georgia?

MARTA does an absolutely incredibly “good” job moving its patrons from point A to point B.

As one of the only transit systems in the country to receive ZERO ($0.00) from its home state (Georgia)

With only two (Dekalb and Fulton counties) out of 28 Metropolitan Atlanta counties contributing to the funding (1% sales’ tax) for MARTA –

Still MARTA allows all other regional transit providers (CCT, GCT, C-Tran, {Soon GRTA too!}) “FREE” transfers into its rail/bus systems:

Given the constraints MARTA has to work with – Let me restate — MARTA not only does a “good” job - MARTA does a DAMN GOOD JOB!

POINT #2

As a resident of Cobb County: I am the proud owner of a MARTA Breeze Card. Recently, I had no one to pick me up at the airport. Instead of taking a taxi cab that would have costs close to $100 for a 45 minute ride; I chose instead to take the MARTA train HE Holmes, jump on the #30 CCT bus and was home in 1 hour, 15 minutes at a cost of $1.50.

I have been lobbying the leaders of Cobb County for years for some type of rail service. I do not see how I as a non contributor to the MARTA system should be able to ride their system so inexpensively.

I also, can not criticize, complain or comment on the way MARTA is maintained, managed or operated. Until I live in a county that fully funds a regional train/transit system-I should and do keep my mouth shut.

Point #3 As for all the MARTA “waste” & “mis-management” I hear the posters talking about – GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLES. I said this to a State representative and I will say it to you, “For every penny MARTA mis-manages and/or “wastes” – I can find one dollar the Georgia D.O.T. mis-manages and/or wastes.”

FOR EXAMPLE: Without any media attention, voting or consulting of the masses – DOT is widening I-85 south from Peachtree City exit to Newnan from 3 lanes in each direction to 4 lanes in each direction. The State continues these 4 lanes in each direction from Newnan to below Grantville. Total expansion is approximately 30 miles.

There is rarely if ever any traffic congestion on that stretch of highway. Why the expansion? How much is the cost to Cobb and Gwinnett tax payers? Who is benefiting from this road construction other than the Road contractors?

To add insult to injury in expanding I-85 South: the road contractor(s) from Newnan to Grantville elevated the road bed of the new lanes approximately 2 to 4.5’ feet above the existing two lanes. Every single bridge/overpass had to be raised by the same amount for proper vehicle clearance. This stretch of roadway is not in a flood plain. This stretch of roadway has never flooded. Why spend the money to elevate it? There are numerous other examples of DOT’s wasteful spending.

• How much are the Ramp meters costing? What will their effect on traffic be?

• How much did the courts recently award two DOT employees who were sexually discriminated against?

• What is the true budget deficit at the D.O.T.? Is it $7 million or closer to $1 Billion tax payer dollars?

These are a miniscule few examples of Georgia tax payer dollars WASTED and/mis-managed! Thank you Georgia D.O.T.

By Richard Layman

July 23, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

You need to think about this in terms of the region and the separate jurisdictions simultaneously. I highly recommend my writings on “the transit network”, albeit about the Washington, DC region, to get you thinking about this in a more focused way.

[http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2008/05/thinking-about-transit-network.html}

But I write about all aspects of this particular questions

By Regional Yes

July 23, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

We need regional mass transit with heavy rail, but for Lord’s sake get rid of the MARTA board. The waste and bloat for MARTA hurts any legitimacy for areal regional transit system. The huge payoff to McCrillis is just the latest in a ling line of screwups.

By TJ

July 31, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Buses NO Rail YES

That is what it comes down to.

Whether or not there are HOV lanes doesn’t matter, it all gets stuck in traffic.

The only way to have real tranportation alternatives worth anything is for the transportation solution to be GRADE SEPARATED from all other types of transportation like how the MARTA rail lines are. It could even be a system of light rail, heavy rail(marta), or commuter rail.

Buses will not get me out of my car, and I will not vote for it.