Opinion Talk

By jbean3

May 14, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this

Taking Marta to my job is just not practical. My job is 12.5 miles from my home. Taking the bus would require me to walk three miles to the nearest bus stop, catch TWO trains, then another bus. I have to be at work at 8am. I would have to be out the door by 6am (walking to the bus stop). My job does provide a shuttle, however, it stops running at 430pm - I don’t get off until 6pm or later.

Driving is my only option.

By yankee

May 14, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

Why do you think everyone works in Atlanta?

By alance

May 14, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

Why are airfares going up? It is the cost of fuel. If you think filling up your car is expensive, try filling up a big jet.

The price of gas is so high because the Democrats are preventing the oil companies from exploring for gas and oil and drilling in off shore waters.

Democratic Senate Majority leader Harry Reid said yesterday: “Republicans must abandon their shortsighted strategy of “drill, drill, drill.”

Is filling up your tank driving you crazy? Do you like to travel? Vote against idiots like Harry Reid.

By 300

May 14, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

Because Metro Atlanta public transportation absolutely SUCKS for most people. It just simply is not practical unless you live right by a station. Most MARTA buses come whenever the Hell they feel like it.

By 300

May 14, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

Because Metro Atlanta public transportation absolutely SUCKS for most people. It just simply is not practical unless you live right by a station. Most MARTA buses come whenever the Hell they feel like it.

By Lady T

May 14, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

I drive to work because my company has employees in two different locations in the Perimeter area, and I often have to drive back and forth for meetings.

By Beth

May 14, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Is there publice transporation that goes from Suwanee to Cumming??????

By Beth

May 14, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

Is there public transporation that goes from Suwanee to Cumming??????

By Lady T

May 14, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

I drive to work because my company has employees in two different locations in the Perimeter area, and I often have to drive back and forth for meetings.

By Jill

May 14, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Because I got tired of being the only white person on the MARTA train.

By Jill

May 14, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Because I got tired of being the only white person on the MARTA train.

By Andrew W.

May 14, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

I work nights and Marta is a 12 hour operation. Plus marta has beggars and filth that my car does not.

By Susan B.

May 14, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Yes, Marta transit system isn’t the best but it is better than nothing. If you cannot do Marta, try carpooling or, vanpooling. You may find your stress levels much lower as a result of finding alternative ways to commute (and, money in your pocket!).

By Lara

May 14, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

Hmmm, there is no public transportation that goes anywhere near where my office is.m I would have to walk over a mile in the opposite direction to the nearest Marta stop, take that bus even further from my office to a Marta station, take that train to Northsprings and then…TAKE A CAB? I don’t think so…

By Do the Math

May 14, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

Because Americans are bad at math. Long commutes for low housing costs will actually cost a family more than living near work. All you need to do is look at how ITP home prices are still a good investment while you can’t sell anything OTP. Might have to give up some bling, sorry.

By Stuck on 400 Again

May 14, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

I’ve chosen to endure a 72-mile per day commute for the past twelve years. Needless to say, I wish mass transit was a viable option, but like many in Atlanta, I cannot get from my far-flung exurban home to my work site without:

All of that easily doubles my already lengthy commute time each way. And that only works inbound anyway; working 12 hour shifts means there is no northbound bus service back to my county that late.

Yes, all of this nonsense is a choice. Fortunately, hard work and making mostly good choices has earned me the ability to make enough income to deal with this choice.

p.s. Isn’t it tragically comic that MARTA’s plans for extending the north rail line up 400 don’t allow for anything earlier than a year 2025 completion date. That speaks volumes to the long range planning competency of the decision makers involved.

By MICHAEL

May 14, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

Because most bus routes are radial into town. I travel 11.7 miles in 25 minutes and there is not way to get there on a bus without going toward downtown then back out again for a 54 mile journey that would take at least 90 minutes after I somehow got to the bus stop 2 miles away.

By Mangler

May 14, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Unless you live and work near bus or rail lines (meaning that you live and work inside of the perimeter), the current transit system isn’t as practical as driving. Atlanta, like many U.S. cities, is a sprawling suburban mess which is impractical for any sort of efficient mass transit system. If you can, move closer to work. If you can’t, deal with an extra few bucks to fill up.

By wil

May 14, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

I would have to walk a mile on a road with no sidewalk to get to the nearest bus stop. Then take that to another bus to get into the city. This would add two hours to my already long 12 hour day. Plus, I have just seen a youtube video of what can be expected on MARTA. It reminds me of what happens daily on New York subways. No thanks, I survived that.

By TuckerDad

May 14, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Marta is not anywhere near my house, is not safe, and is poorly operated.

Marta needs more uniformed police in the trains. It also should establish park and rides throughout the metro area (most people are inexplicably ashamed to stand at a bus stop on the side of the road by themselves for all to see). This would be a great way to convert abandoned or decaying strip malls by the way. As for the trains, every ten minutes is wholly insufficient for peak ride times. One of the reasons I quit riding Marta was that it made me arrive late to work too often.

By TuckerDad

May 14, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Marta is not anywhere near my house, is not safe, and is poorly operated.

Marta needs more uniformed police in the trains. It also should establish park and rides throughout the metro area (most people are inexplicably ashamed to stand at a bus stop on the side of the road by themselves for all to see). This would be a great way to convert abandoned or decaying strip malls by the way. As for the trains, every ten minutes is wholly insufficient for peak ride times. One of the reasons I quit riding Marta was that it made me arrive late to work too often.

By jp

May 14, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

Marta is not anywhere near my house, is not safe, and is poorly operated.

Marta needs more uniformed police in the trains. It also should establish park and rides throughout the metro area (most people are inexplicably ashamed to stand at a bus stop on the side of the road by themselves for all to see). This would be a great way to convert abandoned or decaying strip malls by the way. As for the trains, every ten minutes is wholly insufficient for peak ride times. One of the reasons I quit riding Marta was that it made me arrive late to work too often.

By RRR

May 14, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

I have pick up duties after work for which I need to leave my work at a certain time and reach my destination at a certain time. Public transportation can’t promise punctuality. If I didn’t have the obligations, I could certainly take MARTA and the shuttles offered for MARTA passengers. I have tried it a few times and it WAS convenient. You just need to make time for it.

P.S. Jill, You’re gonna have to be more open about being in surroundings where you might be the only white person because living in Atlanta, there are many locations where Whites are not the majority - GET USED TO IT!

By zeke

May 14, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Because as an American I have the right to do as I please if I do not harm anyone else!

Marta trains and buses suck! They are dirty, unsafe and only a means of transportation to carry criminals and beggars around Atlanta. Why would I want to ride on a bus or train with others who are dirty, sweatty, unruly and absolutely beligerant when I go to work dressed in a suit and tie? NEVER!

By magnolia

May 14, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Jill is an idiot. Straight STUPID!!!.Why make such a dum statement. I see many white people on the train everyday. I work for a major company here in and am thankful that I am able to ride public trans. I could drive and get here in 45mins (in flowing traffic). but I would have to fill up my gas guzzlin’ very large SUV 3 times a week. No thanks. Buy a portable DVD and watch a movie, the time goes by quickly and you’re entertained.

By Chris

May 14, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Come on! Do you think more drilling for oil is really going to make gas prices come down? Remember, we do not have a shortage now, and prices are still through the roof. More drilling just means more money to big oil companies. The government will subsidize the whole operation. What we really need is for these big oil companies to take some of those record profits they have made and put them toward research in alternative energy sources.

By Fix-It

May 14, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Marta is a sorry excuse for mass transit; we need a rail lines that follow the major highways into Atlanta, i.e. 75, 85, 400. What ever happened to the get it done attitude, all the GA politicians don’t anything with out 5 years of talking about it. Then another 5 years of focus groups to talk about it, then hire the mayors best friend to consult about it. What a great bunch of idiots, they spend 500 million dollars before they break ground on a 200 million dollar project. I have been here since 1993 and we are still talking about the “Northern Arch” we needed in 93 you boneheads…

By GaryM

May 14, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Because, it’s the only way I can get there

By Fulton to Gwinnett

May 14, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

I chose to live in the city in order to access MARTA as a means of commuting, but the only job I could find is in Gwinnett. Now I drive 60 miles a day because the time it would take to utilize MARTA and Gwinnett county transit is not worth the money I’d save. If I get a job in the city, I’ll surely use some sort of public transit to save money and to do my part for the ecology.

By GaryM

May 14, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Because, it’s the only way I can get there

By joyce

May 14, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

I must drive to work - 110 miles round trip each day - as I reside in Barnesville and commute to Robins AFB. My past riders have retired so the financial burden falls on me for gas; however, been doing this for 20 yrs. and like the job and the pay so will hang on and cut corners elsewhere.

By Robert

May 14, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

I got in bad car wreck in February and totaled my car. I was paying around $700.00 a month to drive to work, which is less than 3 miles away for me.

I decided not to buy another car and have been using MARTA. MARTA is great. The buses and trains come relatively on time. I’m saving so much money I’m not sure I’ll ever have a car payment again.

$52.50 month. “Marta is financially smarta”

By JJ

May 14, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

I drive because I take my kid to school on the way. Then I zip down the road 17 miles to work. I get out before traffic gets bad, so I am not sitting in traffic. I leave my house at 6:45, drop the kid off, and I am at work by 7:10-7:15. I don’t have to be at work until 8:00. If I were to leave my house at 7:00, it would take an hour to get to work, and it’s only 17 miles. Duluth backs up horribly only because they do not time their lights……..I drive from Sugar Hill to Norcross.

By Avid MARTA Rider

May 14, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

I take MARTA to work. Over two years a go I got sick and tired of my commute, and I purposefully chose to live near a MARTA station. The bus stop across the street takes me to my station, and I can ride either train north to get into Buckhead (sometimes I even take a bus from my end station to work). So what if I can’t afford a house in the city, I live in a condo in the city. Midtown is my neighborhood, and it is safe, diverse, and a girl like me has plenty of options every night and day of the week how to spend my time. I wouldn’t change where I live for the world. Of course there are homeless people, but the most disturbing example of public indecency I have seen is someone’s “Christian” church protesting gays and gay lifestyle at the corner of 10th and Piedmont, the hub of our gay community.

Oh and to Jill – you’re not special because you’re white. I’m a beautiful and educated single white girl taking the bus and train into the financial hub of the cit every day. A lot of well-dressed professionals do the same.

Oh yeah, AND I wait at the bus stop. Ain’t no shame in my game! I’m saving!!

By SAG

May 14, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Face the facts, Atlanta is not a public transportation city. I drive from the Toco Hills area to Alpharetta daily, no choice. I could drive to a MARTA station, take the train to the GA400 station then a bus to Park and Ride and then walk a mile to work. No thanks, not me. Not when I can get in my car and drive to work without all the train-bus-walk changes. Besides, many days I need my car to run errands on my lunch break. Add to this the scene that made MARTA a national joke on Youtube last week when that crackhead of a young woman went off on the elderly lady, all the while the train was full of peole who just sat there like the idiots they are and did nothing until one young man reacted to the crazy woman who has since been arrested. That’s the image we really have of MARTA. I still see MARTA as a means of transportation for those that cannot afford otherwise.

By SAG

May 14, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Face the facts, Atlanta is not a public transportation city. I drive from the Toco Hills area to Alpharetta daily, no choice. I could drive to a MARTA station, take the train to the GA400 station then a bus to Park and Ride and then walk a mile to work. No thanks, not me. Not when I can get in my car and drive to work without all the train-bus-walk changes. Besides, many days I need my car to run errands on my lunch break. Add to this the scene that made MARTA a national joke on Youtube last week when that crackhead of a young woman went off on the elderly lady, all the while the train was full of peole who just sat there like the idiots they are and did nothing until one young man reacted to the crazy woman who has since been arrested. That’s the image we really have of MARTA. I still see MARTA as a means of transportation for those that cannot afford otherwise.

By MrKnowGood

May 14, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Listen folks, MARTA shouldn’t take the blame for being limited to a small part of the metro area. If you really want to to blame someone, we should all start looking at the wonderful “natives” in Cobb and Gwinnett Counties that were too “short-sighted” to allow MARTA to expand into their counties.

Then we can look at the political cowards (Sonny Perdue, and any other anti-Atlanta legislatures) who publicly bash Atlanta, but happily take tax dollars from Atlanta to spend on re-paving a rural country road in their hometown (Sonny Perdue).

Then we can look at the need for MARTA to increase the on-time performance for it’s buses (they’re stuck the same traffic as everyone else) and then get newer cars for the East-West line like they have for the North-South line.

But until we get politicians who will treat Atlanta like a priority and not just a convenient scapegoat and a bottomless piggybank, we are all doomed to listen to the results of the latest “transportation study” from our car radios while stuck in traffic on the downtown connector.

By MrKnowGood

May 14, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Listen folks, MARTA shouldn’t take the blame for being limited to a small part of the metro area. If you really want to to blame someone, we should all start looking at the wonderful “natives” in Cobb and Gwinnett Counties that were too “short-sighted” to allow MARTA to expand into their counties.

Then we can look at the political cowards (Sonny Perdue, and any other anti-Atlanta legislatures) who publicly bash Atlanta, but happily take tax dollars from Atlanta to spend on re-paving a rural country road in their hometown (Sonny Perdue).

Then we can look at the need for MARTA to increase the on-time performance for it’s buses (they’re stuck the same traffic as everyone else) and then get newer cars for the East-West line like they have for the North-South line.

But until we get politicians who will treat Atlanta like a priority and not just a convenient scapegoat and a bottomless piggybank, we are all doomed to listen to the results of the latest “transportation study” from our car radios while stuck in traffic on the downtown connector.

By Tom

May 14, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

When I see people who look, talk and dress like I do then maybe I will consider MARTA. When I see people who, off the trains or buses, make me want to lock my car doors at a redlight when they’re near me, I’ll take my own vehicle. Many times I have had to stop by a bus and when I look into the bus I thank God I can afford my own car.

By Tom

May 14, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

When I see people who look, talk and dress like I do then maybe I will consider MARTA. When I see people who, off the trains or buses, make me want to lock my car doors at a redlight when they’re near me, I’ll take my own vehicle. Many times I have had to stop by a bus and when I look into the bus I thank God I can afford my own car.

By Glenn

May 14, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

The management running Marta hires drivers which allow rude behavior and profanity on the trains and busses. They are also not clean, and I do not feel safe. A city which must have police on its transportation vehicles is in a sorry state. It mirrors the school system and parents which are failing the community by producing children which cannot function in society without being rude to others.

By Fred

May 14, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

I used to take the subway to work when I lived in NYC. I loved it. It was convenient. MARTA is not convenient for me. It does not go where I live or where I work. I wish it did. I am not willing to move to improve my commute. Work is not the top priority in my life. As a matter of fact, it’s several rungs down. If my commute becomes too expensive, I will find a job closer to home. Living inside the Perimeter is not something I want…although sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic…..

By Allen

May 14, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

I live and work in DeKalb—where we “have” MARTA. When I first moved here I took MARTA to work. On a good day it took 55 minutes and two buses. Far too often it took much longer, and not infrequently I walked rather than waiting on the 2nd bus. There were far too few shelters to get out of the hot sun or rain (it used to rain here). The buses had no apparent schedule. The fare is higher than that in most comparable cities. And I even was lucky enough to find buses that went where I want to go—a rarity. I would love to take mass transit to work. If only we effectively had any.

By Pablo

May 14, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

I tried to have my boss drive to my house and bring the work to me, but he wouldn’t hear it. Duh!

By DDT

May 14, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

It costs much more to ride MARTA, especially if you count the time to walk to and wait for a darn environmentally polluting bus. My car’s paid off. I bought it all at once after giving up on my 13 year old other fully paid for car. I have three kids in preschool. Am I going to wait for the bus to take them to preschool and then wait for another bus to take me to work? That would take about 4 hours, and the bus fare would be enormous.

By Sarah

May 14, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Are we being ever so politically correct today on this BLOG or what? Ask one person this question, one MARTA rider who’ll tell you the truth. Ask if they would swap roles with me and put me on that foul smelling MARTA bus and allow them to drive my car and see what they tell you. Look at the MARTA riders, I ahve seen happier looking people going to the gallows!

By Mike

May 14, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

It’s a tough problem. We moved into the city (and pay too much for a small house) to be close to my wife’s office (a few miles away), but it would still take her an hour to get there if she took Marta (assuming that the bus showed up). I work up I-85, and the train doesn’t go OTP, apparently because Gwinnett county taxpayers didn’t want it.

By the way, in D.C., property values are often higher near the train stations, as it’s considered desirable to live near one. Perhaps MARTA needs a PR makeover. But it’s the chicken and the egg dilemma. Without enough demand, it’s never going to improve.

I say let gas prices continue to climb. More expensive gas (and tax) forces people to use public transportation in Europe. And once oil dries up, we’ll all be forced to take the issue seriously and develop alternative technologies and a more conservative mindset — myself included. Let the market system do its thing. But the local and federal governments need to get some stuff done. Hey, maybe we should even RAISE the gas tax to improve MARTA and pave over all the potholes that destroy my car’s suspension…

By jerry

May 14, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

I live in Jasper & work in Alpharetta, no choice for Mass Transit

By parentof4

May 14, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

I drive to work because I drop off my children before school and have to pick them up after school. But I do own my own business and my office is right around the corner from school and work. So I drive maybe 10 min each day. I would like to walk it, but GEORGIA thought it was a stupid idea to have sidewalks. I would have to dodge what little traffic there is just to walk.

By cys

May 14, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

By Patrick

May 14, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

By the time I get to the Cobb CCT station, I am at I75. It only takes me 15-20 more minutes to get to work. I wish there was a rail/subway line that came through Cobb. I would love to take public transportation.

By p

May 14, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

This is a joke, right? I an drive to work in 30 minutes. If I took MARTA it would take me roughly 90 minutes to get to work - including standing out in the rain or heat.

I’ll drive if gas costs $10 a gallon for the privacy, safety, convenience and MY PERSONAL TIME savings.

By wendy

May 14, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

DUH! Like you can get safe public transportation from Grayson to Duluth. Even if you could, I’m sure it would cost more than the gas to go back and forth, and take more than the 30-75 minutes it can range (depending on time of day and traffic!)

This HAS to be one of the stupidest things I have seen online!

By me

May 14, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

I would like to have a nice house with a yard, my own driveway, garage, etc but choose to live in a small condo in the city. On the plus side I am able to WALK to work or ride a scooter. I hardly ever drive my car, never sit in traffic, and am not stressed everyday. Yes, I see crazy people everyday walking or taking Marta but just ignore them. I can’t imagine sitting on 75 and 85 north everyday to go home, that would be even worse. Even worse getting behind some slow poke SUV driver constantly on a cell phone.

By EH

May 14, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

I ride my bike to work. It’s 12 miles one way and I can do it in less than an hour. It takes three times longer than driving but I don’t have to go to the gym.

By John Tackett

May 14, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

I ride my bike (see todays living section on the article about my commute) or take Marta. Yes it adds about 20 - 30 minutes to what would be a car commute, but when the roads are packed, i can just cruise on by.

Yes the roads are not designed for bikes, but I deal with it and the drivers on them. Sometimes I wonder if the roads are designed for cars?

And yes, public transit in Atlanta is the worst (I used to live in San Francisco and never owned a car and had no problems getting around the bay area.) We are paying for the sins (or racism) of our fathers in regards to Marta and the service it provides.

And yes, I have even run from my house to my office when training to run for marathons.

The bottom line is that it is an individual choice. If you can afford to spend money on gas and wear and tear on a car, then go for it. If you only ride your bike a bit of the way, then cool. Carpool and vanpool if you want. But remember that your choices may have long term effects on you and others. It is not going to get cheaper to drive a car, and public transit has a long ways to go in regards to a viable alternative in the Metro Atlanta area (not the city limits.) But we must realize that we are in this together and work out solutions.

By Nikita

May 14, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

I drive in from Clayton county. The bus system that is set up is not convenient. The county SHOULD have went with MARTA years ago and got a transist system since we are right * there next to the airport anyway. yes, the transit is $80 bucks per month, however I go to school etc. and the buses take FOREVER to make a run (check it out avg. wait 45 min to 1:15 minutes) and I must get to school on time. The buses do not go to enough places in the county, there are no seats or coverage for bad weather available for the LONG extended wait. Have you driven downtown to see the buses COMPETE with car drivers and EACH OTHER? No thanks. There are no cops that are available for the bus drivers unlike in Atlanta/Dekalb to help assist with issues. There are MANY reasons people do not like riding the bus. Riding MARTA on the train? The kids are loud, they do not have enough drivers for the neighborhoods (my old bus route only has 1 driver on it now), the cops are not as readily available, the older stations need improving VERY badly. A good deal of the trains need to be replaced. More up to date buses with polite drivers who can put fools off their buses if necessary. They still have not gotten that they should make it terribly uncomfortable for people to stand at the door. Umm MARTA too needs to update the places where people wait to get on. Standing in the rain/ cold/ storms is simply not the hotness. People do not understand how that Breeze card thing works and MARTA needs to work on their PR to improve their reputation.

By Commute King

May 14, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

After commuteing more than 80 miles a day for 13 years, I moved my family from the best school systetm in the state to one of the worst, just for the sake of having a shorter commute. Then after only four short years, the company I work for decided to move our office 35 miles in the opposite direction. Now I have a 116 mile round trip every day, and my children are trying to survive in a substandard school system. My advise is to stay where you are and do the best you can.

By John Tackett

May 14, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

I ride my bike (see todays living section on the article about my commute) or take Marta. Yes it adds about 20 - 30 minutes to what would be a car commute, but when the roads are packed, i can just cruise on by.

Yes the roads are not designed for bikes, but I deal with it and the drivers on them. Sometimes I wonder if the roads are designed for cars?

And yes, public transit in Atlanta is the worst (I used to live in San Francisco and never owned a car and had no problems getting around the bay area.) We are paying for the sins (or racism) of our fathers in regards to Marta and the service it provides.

And yes, I have even run from my house to my office when training to run for marathons.

The bottom line is that it is an individual choice. If you can afford to spend money on gas and wear and tear on a car, then go for it. If you only ride your bike a bit of the way, then cool. Carpool and vanpool if you want. But remember that your choices may have long term effects on you and others. It is not going to get cheaper to drive a car, and public transit has a long ways to go in regards to a viable alternative in the Metro Atlanta area (not the city limits.) But we must realize that we are in this together and work out solutions.

By jct

May 14, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

I take MARTA. Have been since gas first went up after Katrina. Most public transportation will add time to your commute. It adds about 20 minutes to mine. Driving takes 20 minutes with out traffic but 40 minutes with MARTA. But guess what? I now have a life. I never had time for pleasure reading before Katrina. I read about 1 book per week taking MARTA. In fact, I am now able to take classes because MARTA is my mobile study hall.

I presume the people who can take MARTA but don’t because of the extra time don’t see these benefits. I am always relaxed when I get to work and get home. Traffic is no longer a worry. My blood pressure is way down, which makes my doctor happy.

My office has recently moved so now I have to walk 7 blocks (I could take a bus but walking is faster and better for my health). I carry an umbrella all the time and keep tennis shows in my office in case of the rain.

Try thinking outside of the box. Walking a few blocks will not kill you even in the heat.

I definitley feel it in my pocket book because I fill up about every 3 to 4 weeks. My job also offers discounted MARTA cards. There is nothing smarta.

By LJ

May 14, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

The last time I took a MARTA bus, the driver stopped at gas station to pick himself up a drink. He seriously just pulled the but over on the side of the road and ran inside.

Also, have you ever tried to get to Emory/CDC (from anywhere) on MARTA? Practically impossible unless you’re willing to invest an hour or more. And I’m not, given that my commute usually only takes 20 minutes and I have an odd schedule.

By me

May 14, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Yes, I will always drive to work b/c I need “quiet time” and I get that being inside my car. The buses and trains are filthy and the people cough and spread germs without so much as an “excuse me!” Gas prices are high and there are all sorts of perks to “ride sharing” but I just can’t put a price on “peace” and that is what I get when I am alone in my car.

By Cola

May 14, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

I do not use MARTA because I would probably die. I could not, would not have let that elderly lady be abused by that she thug. I can not believe the other people would let a poor old women take that kind of abuse for so long. True, we don’t know what happened in the minutes before but nothing could justify that mouthy girls’ behavior.
The poor women was probably scared to death.

By shaun

May 14, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

I agree with the previous poster. MARTA is not a viable option. It is too unsafe. I haven’t ridden it in over a decade and will never ride it again. The city has long since ceded MARTA to the thugs. It belongs to them not to the law abiding citizens.

By RealityKing

May 14, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Yes, I could ride public transportation into Atlanta everyday from Marietta and maybe save $200 a month. But it would be at a cost of 1.5 hrs of extra commute time per day, 7.5 hrs per week, which is approx. 30 hrs a month. And let’s keep in mind, these are prime time hours, 7am-8pm. Quality time that would normally be spending at home with the children.

So tell me Mr. Green Jeans… How much is 30 hrs a month of quality time with your children worth? $200?? Not to mention the much, much better schools out here.

However, I am noticing, and enjoying, less traffic on the road these days. And it’s helping me to saving some of that $200 in gas on increased gas mileage. Almost a third more without the daily bumper to bumper traffic of last year..

By SG

May 14, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

I took MARTA every day for four years when I lived in Dunwoody. This was before the North Springs station was built, and I drove into Perimeter or Medical Center. After the N. Springs station was finished, I could walk out of the apartment complex and into the station (Post Dunwoody). MARTA has its positive’s and negatives, to be sure. I enjoyed the time I had to read and listen to music, and that my car (which was in a sad state most of those 4 years) wasn’t clogging up the road. Naturally, it wasn’t all fun. Rude people, vagrants using the train for a crash spot (and shower, and bathroom, etc.), hustlers selling everything and anything, not to mention the occasional (bordering on frequent) breakdowns, all of this was part of my daily routine.

Now I’m lucky enough to be able to carpool with my wife into work. We live far from the nearest MARTA station. I grew up driving in Houston, so driving in Atlanta isn’t that big of a deal.

We read the article on Mr. Tackett and were impressed. Good for you, sir! I started thinking about how long it would take to bike into downtown from Mableton, and what route I would take. I may have to try it some weekend and see!

By ravi

May 14, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Because it takes lot longer going by Marta..i reach office in Half the time if i go by car.

By Billy Boy

May 14, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

BECAUSE I LIKE THE FEEL OF THE ROAD - 0

By dino

May 14, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

duh! to get to work

By AcworthDrive

May 14, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

I commute from Acworth to Duluth, and work from 9 to 9. Does Marta help me? No.

By J

May 14, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Well Kevin, I drive a Honda Civic for my 30 mile a day commute. I have to fill it up every two and a half weeks so two times a month, which is $80 (with gas prices now). My car is paid for, my insurance is $25 a month (liability only). My driving expenses are usually $105 a month, so that’s why I don’t take Marta, not to mention all of the other reasons that everyone else has listed above. Taking MARTA would be a waste of my time and time is money. TO all of you anti-green people that think drilling is the answer—you are wrong. Maybe if you bought a car that wasn’t a gas guzzler and weren’t creating all of the demand for oil, then prices would go down. I can drive 350 + miles on one 12 gallon tank, can you? I would ride a bike, but then I’d have to pay hospital bills because someone ran me over. So, driving is cheaper for me.

By Filthy Beggar

May 14, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Andrew W. I will be happy to live in your car if it will inspire you to use mass transit.

By woody

May 14, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

MARTA trains are already filled to cpacity in the mornings they arent equipped to take any more people.

By woody

May 14, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

MARTA trains are already filled to capacity in the mornings they arent equipped to take any more people.

By CP MARTA Condo

May 14, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

How about “Commuter Crash Pads”? Buy my condo that is walk to College Park MARTA train, rent 2nd bedroom to co-workers 1-2 nights per week, search MLS zip 30337, “Condo”, less than 90K.

By jim

May 14, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Because I dont have wings dumass.

By steve

May 14, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

2-2.5 hours for MARTA to get me from Snellville to Tucker (3 bus changes) versus a 20 minute commute. Tried carpooling, but I often have to work past 5PM. Made it very inconvenient for the poolers who did not.

By Dennis

May 14, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

heck, no, I like driving my own car, nobody in it, nobody talking to me, i want to drive to work, not have conversation with people I dont even like. Plus I want to get home, not drop off people like a bus, thats why they have marta and CCT.

By Eric

May 14, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

Why not mandate a FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK instead of five or more days? That way, 20% of commute costs (including smog, time, and fuel/wear-and-tear) could be mitigated. With all of our productivity from technology, how odd society has chosen not to reduce work time! But, “it would hurt the economy,” our legislators and business leaders would insist. Well, don’t believe it!

By Dave

May 14, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Because The Atlanta metro area offers the WORST mass transit of any large metro area in the US. It is why they will NEVER be a true “world class” city. Most people that work in NYC and live in the suburbs take mass transit. It’s safe, reliable, and you can read, surf the web, etc. Instead of spending money on mass transit, we have idiots that VOTE for idiots that want to build more roads. That’s not the answer. Trains are the answer. There should be a rail line following every major highway in the metro area…

GA…run by idiots…whom bigger idiots vote for in the first place!

By albert johnson

May 14, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

I have no choice, Marta doesn’t run where I go to work.

By Prootwadl

May 14, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

I actually enjoy the relatively short (8 mile) drive and the light traffic I encounter at ten in the morning. It gives me a chance to wake up and plan my actions before I actually get to my desk. And the expense for me isn’t too bad given that my 94 Accord still gets almost 30 mpg here in town. :-)

By momtoAlex&Max

May 14, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

Eric, you hit the nail on the head. The alternatives should be more telecommuting, not ride-sharing.

I say that it would be very easy for at least 50% of office jobs (I am not talking about jobs that deal with the public like servers, hotel people, etc.), to make it a 4 day work week.

By JBird

May 14, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

When my children were young, I had to be at two different schools by a certain time in the evening - public transportation was not an option. But when they were old enough to be home alone, I started riding the train. Then I discovered GRTA which was much closer, and much nicer than Marta could ever be. Now, I’m living out of state and I don’t have public transportation - but my commute is less. Atlanta, however, wasn’t built for public transportation - public transportation has had to adapt to Atlanta.

By kim

May 14, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

The transporation system here in Atlanta is actually about 20 years behind. If Atlanta wants to be the Mecca City of the South they should have updated their transportation system years ago when they new the city was expanding to it’s level. They did absolutely nothing and more and more people kept moving here with no up to date transportation system. I really don’t understand why the tranpsortation system did not keep up with the growing population. It’s not worth it for me to take MARTA by the time I drive to a location I could be half way to work.

By Little Miss Sunshine

May 14, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

MARTA unfortunately doesn’t work for me either since my job is 21 miles from my house and the closest MARTA station is 14 miles from my house. If I have to drive that far, I might as well drive all the way.

By Lee

May 14, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

I echo the sentiments of Little Miss Sunshine ! (by the way, I loved your movie!)

On a serious note, I have had much better experiences on New York subways than MARTA. Riding the subways in NY has become a much more pleasant experience. MARTA is simply not convenient for the vast majority of metro Atlantans. It appears that will be the case for many, many years to come. So many will all choke and suffer health problems (unfortunately) as a result of the bad air quality with way too many drivers on the roads

By Mr. Know-it-all

May 14, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

I took a new job 6 months ago in which I travel to other cities or work from a home office. I don’t enjoy schlepping to the airport and missing my wife and kids, but this is what Atlanta traffic has done to me. I live in the Sugarloaf area and commuted to Perimeter Mall for a year, which was a year too long.

Poor transit planning = Road Rage

By KMFPL

May 14, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Well, I’m not sure if CCT goes from Kennesaw to Mableton. It probably does. But I sometimes need to drive somewhere for work after I’m there, so I kinda need my car.

Carpooling doesn’t work, because the other two people at work either don’t live in Kennesaw, or don’t share my schedule.

And moving my kids to a higher-crime area with inferior schools doesn’t make sense in any way.

I work for a company with over 100 location in the metro area, so I’ll just continue to hope for an opportunity closer to home.

By jet lag

May 15, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this

I drive to work solo. Smog is my copilot. I slipped the surly bonds of MARTA, and flipped a hundred people off. I’ve disguised my license plate and fooled more red light cameras than you’ve ever dreamed of. I tailgate. I shave, I comb, I text and rock out. I eat. I flirt. I yell, and sometimes I bang my head on the steering wheel over and over. Why dont you people go when the light turns green? My only prayer is that God is a traffic cop and you all end up in traffic hell… where I’ll be waiting for you.

By HeySoose

May 15, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this

What a stupid question. Why the hell do you think we drive to work? Not everyone lives near mass transit you freaking idiot.

By AssHat

May 15, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Duh…so I don’t get fired.

By Trying2getby

June 1, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

I live on the southern side of Coweta County and work on Fulton Industrial which is about a 30 mile one-way commute. I am the only one at my job of 15 years who live here so that rules out van/carpooling. MARTA only comes to the south Fulton County line so that rules that out also. And riding a bike? Forget about it. You people that live near train and bus stops have a choice. Those of us in the outer metro areas have no choice but to drive or move in closer and thats not always a feasible option. People go where the jobs are, no matter where you live. Your daily commute is of secondary importance to earning a living wage.