Home > Snellville.Talk > Archives > 2007 > April > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHave you given the express bus a try?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The red Dodge pickup was a block away when I turned onto Hewatt Road Tuesday evening. It sped up until it was six inches from my bumper. And stayed there.
It was an instant reminder of the demon drivers and traffic headaches that had been, up to that point, gloriously missing from my day.
That morning I had left my car at a park-and-ride lot on Hewatt Road and boarded an express bus for downtown Atlanta. In the afternoon, I walked to a pickup point downtown and rode another bus back to Snellville.
The service was part of the new express bus routes that GRTA (Georgia Regional Transportation Authority) started Monday.
I have to say - I loved it. The bus made good time. I didn’t have to worry about traffic. I talked to other riders. I read. Some commuters listened to music.
The $3 fare I paid each way was less than I would have spent in gasoline. Not to mention wear and tear and parking. I don’t travel downtown every day, but when I do, I’ll catch a bus again. (Check out www.xpressga.com for details.)
There was little publicity about the start of the service. Still, about 25 riders boarded the first day, about 32 on Tuesday.
GRTA communications director William Mecke said those numbers are what was expected for the early days of the 90-day pilot program. Numbers start low (and with Spring Break, even fewer were around to ride) but gradually climb. It usually takes a year or two to reach full ridership, he said.
Many I met onboard had been waiting for such a service.
Marilyn Carroll of Grayson, who works at SunTrust downtown, occasionally drove to Discover Mills to catch an express bus. More often, she just drove downtown.
So did Phil Magoon, who lives in the Brookwood area of Snellville and works at the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Swin Rhodes of Grayson usually drove 15-plus miles to the Indian Creek MARTA station, where he would board a train. Stopping at Hewatt Road cuts the driving in half and requires no train.
One Snellville rider said he previously caught an express bus in Conyers; another said she has tried vanpools, carpools and most recently was driving to Stone Mountain to make a connection.
The initial runs of the Snellville-to-downtown service had their hiccups, however.
The opening of a second park-and-ride lot at Snellville First Baptist Church was delayed while arrangements are legally reviewed. Some riders on Monday and Tuesday complained that buses missed their downtown stop or made wrong turns. A few commuters pointed out that HOV lanes or route changes would improve the service. And several said the Gwinnett Transit buses being used lack the comfort of other buses.
Still, most seemed to welcome the ride.
“This is what’s been missing in Snellville,” Rhodes said.
“Even though it may take just as long as driving,” said Carroll, “it gives me the opportunity of helping to do something about what we have long been complaining about - pollution, air quality, traffic.”
Not only that, you don’t have ornery drivers on your bumper.
Have you ridden the new buses? Do you plan to? Have you found yourself behind one? What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (33) | Post your comment | Categories: Susan Gast
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By Miss A
April 5, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
I ride the CCT Express, and have been for a few years. I work for the federal government, and they pay for us to ride public transportation in an effort to reduce traffic and try and improve air quality. I cannot imagine having to drive from Marietta to downtown Atlanta everyday! Being able to ride the Express bus has been a true blessing. The buses are comfortable and drops me off right at my building. I save so much on gas, vehicle maintenance, and overall stress! I read, sleep, and sometimes listen to music. You meet new people almost everyday, and the icing on the cake: not having to deal with traffic!
By Angel
April 5, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
My husband has been riding the XPress route from McDonough and more recently Jonesboro/ Clayton Co. for about a year and a half. He loves it and dreads the days when, for some reason or other, he has to actually drive. He goes out of his way to figure out how NOT to drive by scheduling appts either really early or late afternoon. The route from Clayton Co. is about 8 miles from our house but drops him off directly in front of his building. The first route required a stint on MARTA but he still thought it was worth it. Our friends made fun of him at first but after his continued ridership, they are beginning to see that there’s more to it than saving a few bucks (like your sanity!) He also gets in cat naps and reads so many books that I’ve made him get a library card. He constantly encourages other people to try the bus. He tells them that if they try it just once or twice that they’ll get hooked- he sure did. He pays for a 20-ride bus ticket each month for his morning ride and also has a MARTA pass which allows him to ride home in the afternoon wihtout an additional fee. The combined cost of the two for the month is about $60- roughly the cost of one tank of gas or what it costs to park downtown for a month. It’s just economically stupid to not take advantage of the bus service- let someone else deal with the headache of road rage and rubber neckers!
By Joe Gray
April 5, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
I have taken Xpress route 418 this week to work and find the service to be excellent. I live 7 miles from the Hewatt Road park and ride and use of this service saves me a total of 58 commute miles each day. I appreciate the opportunity to ride the bus to work.
By JP
April 5, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
I have been riding an Xpress bus from Douglasville to downtown Atlanta for more than two years now and absolutely love it. The buses are comfortable, dependable, and I can read or sleep during the commute. My company pays for us to ride public transportation so I save a lot in what I would pay for gas, parking, and wear and tear on my car if I drove in everyday. I don’t know why anyone would want the hassle and headache of driving in Atlanta’s traffic with an option like Xpress.
By Sara
April 5, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
I have lived off from Hwy 78 my entire life. Before the Walmart, the Lowes and before the giant overpass. I drive downtown everyday. Hwy. 78 needs more lanes. Add another lane and a HOV lane. I would consider riding the bus if there was an HOV lane. If it is stuck in the traffic like the rest of us, I’d rather be in my own car. I see its potiential, but some changes need to be made before the masses would use it.
By miranda
April 5, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
I take the Xpress bus from the Clayton County Justice Center & LOVE IT!!! I was so stressed out driving, sometimes I’d leave home early in the a.m. & still arrive late to work! Hated that! I’d get to work sometimes in a bad mood just because of a lousy commute in, & that can sometimes set the (negative) tone for an entire workday.
Now I read, write, listen to music or chat with other riders. Most importantly I can get some extra SLEEP in the a.m. on the ride in. I’m always on time & usually arrive early & buy lunch for later, or have a leisurely breakfast & get some “me time” in before the work day starts.
The BEST part is my job pays for my monthly Xpress card, so my commute is FREE! I got back $168 for the Fresh Air Campaign as well & have won gift cards just for riding the bus for free - SWEET!!!
We live a few miles from the Justice Center, so a tank of gas now lasts a month instead of a week! Much less wear and tear on my car as well.
It took me awhile to try Xpress but now that I have I’ll never ever go back to driving in on a regular basis.
By landsaf
April 5, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
I occassionally ride the bus from Douglasville to Midtown. I like it. I’m used to riding public transportation since I used to live in DC/BAL area. I only wish the routes were a little more direct and there were a few more buses running. I feel More people would use them if they added those features. I would use it more often if that was the case.
By Mark
April 5, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
I have been riding GRTA Xpress coach 400 out of Cumming for nearly three years now. Prior to my move from Gwinnett to North Forsyth I took GCT for 2 1/2 years.
It is amazing how much more relaxed a person I became after only a few weeks of giving up my car for a commuter service. I save money, time and sanity. I enjoy reading, crosswords, sudoku, my iPod and resting/sleeping.
I hope that the GRTA service remains an option for the second-half of my career as I have just recently reached the half-way point in a career that calls for me to work downtown.
I will never drive to work again if I can help it.
By susan gast
April 5, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
Here’s a bit of an update about the new Snellville to Atlanta route:
On Tuesday, one rider who complained about a long wait was told by the dispatcher that the the bus was in an accident. I checked with William Mecke of GRTA, and he confirmed there was a minor accident. One rider was on the bus at the time, and that rider was transferred to another bus. Riders waiting for the bus encountered delays while another bus was brought in to finish the route.
Mecke also confirmed that one trip was missed Monday and — on Wednesday — a trip ran 20 minutes late. “We are adjusting the times the coaches leave Gwinnett in the afternoon so that doesn’t happen again,” Mecke said. “Since this is a new route, we don’t have regular operators for it yet, and the customers may see different operators each day. That should change in a few weeks.”
Mecke said that — except for the accident — the glitches are pretty typical for a start-up week.
“We work hard not to have these problems, but you just don’t know some things until you actually start operating the coaches in the regular service,” he said.
By essbee
April 5, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
I’ve been taking the Xpress from the Clayton Justice Center regularly for over a year now. Even on the rare days that the HOV lane is stopped along with the rest of the traffic, I would much rather be on the bus with someone else to do the driving. I find it so much less tiring than driving my own car. My husband says he can tell I am in a better mood and have a much lower stress level when I come home from riding the bus vs. driving.
By Angel
April 5, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
I was introduced to express bus service upon transferring from Marietta to downtown. While in Marietta I commuted via vanpool. The express bus service is way better. The stop is 4.5mi from my house, only 4 stop signs from my garage and I can go 1.5wk on a tank of gas (small SUV). I don’t have traffic issues, crazy driversto deal with, I just sit back and relax. You couldn’t pay me to drive in to work. I try to schedule appointments late or early and then I take a train on those rare days, if I don’t just take off.
By Lurch
April 6, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this
I’ve been taking the 470 out of Hiram for about 18 months now. Like the previous posters, I dread the occasional day when I have to drive in.
Advantages:
My route is about 25 miles from Hiram to downtown. I get on at the first stop and off at the last. Last year, I figure I saved about $850 in gas alone, much less wear and tear on my car.
My company pays for my bus ticket, so that $850 goes right to my pocket.
The busses are all fairly new, and CCT, which runs my route, keeps them clean and well maintained.
The other passengers are all business people, office workers, etc. It’s not like MARTA, where you’re having to deal with the riff raff.
My route has 6 busses running in the morning and evening. Gives you a lot of flexibility if you have to come in a little early or stay a little later.
They do a good job of staying on schedule. Of course, with Atlanta traffic, there are occasional times when a bus gets delayed, but that’s to be expected.
If you ride the bus in and have an emergency, GRTA will provide a ride back to your car.
Disadvantages:
Added about 20 minutes to my commute time.
If there is severe traffic, like the Six Flags fiasco yesterday, you’re pretty much stuck. If you were in a car, your might be able to take some backroads around it.
Overall, I have been well pleased with the service. If you haven’t tried it, just make it a point to give it a try for about two weeks. You’ll be hooked.
By Michael H. Smith
April 6, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Have you ridden the new buses?
No, can’t say that I have.
Do you plan to?
Probably not; most of my travels are confined to work, which for the most part is seldom if ever on a bus line.
Have you found yourself behind one?
Oh heck yeah. What a pain! There is nothing like being delayed by a big empty bus taking-up three to four car lengths of precious black gold during rush hour to get your emotions stirred.
What do you think?
I want the brain train for Lawrenceville and a brain train for the other side of the county using the existing rail lines with bus shuttles running between these north and south rail lines to connect the county in a system, including in the system support of flex car integration for the times having a car is not an option.
It is time to fully utilize the rail lines in the state, especially in the heavily congested metro areas.
By MP
April 6, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
I have been a GRTA rider since the Conyers route started and I just love it. The buses are clean and you can really relax while riding to and from work. Now I take my nap before I get home.
By Joyce Reiling
April 6, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
I’ve ridden the new 418 bus this week and I love it. I live about 1 mile from the park & ride lot in Snellville and using the new service is great. Previously, I drove the 11 miles to the Indian Trail Park & Ride to ride the 102 GTC bus. I’ve been pleased that the Snellville bus service is finally here, although I wasn’t aware that it was only for a 90-day trial period. Seems unfair that they wouldn’t give it the same chance as other new bus routes. As traffic grows in the Snellville, Loganville, Lilburn and Stone Mtn areas, wouldn’t it benefit the county to have less cars on already crowded roads?
By Argus
April 8, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
What about those of us who go to Atlanta on the weekends? Don’t we deserve an express bus?
By Lynn
April 8, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
I am a faithful Xpress Bus rider! For me I enjoy relaxing to and from work, opposed to fighting the traffic myself. My hope is that they will expand the service. With rising gas prices and unpredictable Atlanta drivers, Xpress Bus is a wonderful alternative.
By Robert
April 8, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
I usually ride GCT from Discover Mills, and it is great. I usually wake up at the same time, driver to Discover Mills, wait at the most 5 minutes, usually the bus is there loading, get on it, and in 35-40 minutes it arrives to W Peachtree St and W Peachtree Pl. Besides being faster than my commute, I get the chance to work on the bus, sleep, snore, read a book, newspaper etc, and if I want to, I can walk from the bus stop to work. The same happens in the afternoon! It is great, when gas is over $2.29 it is cheaper for me to ride GCT!
By JDL
April 8, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
When I read things like “we need the rail to improve mass transit” and “if I’m stuck in traffic I want to be in my car” I point my finger at you and say the blood of our US troops in Iraq is in your gas tank.
It is your duty to sacrifice your time and personal comfort to stop buring gasoline. I don’t care about global warming or saving the environment. What I do care about is good American’s fighting a war so you can take your car with 3 empty seats to your job every day. If you can’t take this into consideration, your selfishness knows no boundaries. And you are lining the coffers of our emeny in the war on terror.
I am talking about your commute to work, nothing else. I don’t want people to give up their cars, just to use the various and growing services already available to get to work. It is safer, less expensive, and increased demand of public transportation might lead to increased services, including expanded rail.
I had a VGC car fully paid for. When GRTA started servicing my area, I sold it. We now have 1 Prius. The Bus fare was tax deductable last year. After figuring my savings, including gas, insurance, maintenance, tires, fluids… In 1 year I have saved enough to take my family to Las Vegas and Disney World. I am saving to send my kids to private school. The savings are HUGE.
If I want to make a weekend junket, I rent a car. The busses have bike racks on them, I ride my bike to the stop. I have so much extra cash in my checking account it’s as if I gave myself a $2500 a year raise. Last month, we spent $39 on gasoline.
The ‘disadvantage,’ of bussing to work… Sometimes it takes a little bit longer. Sometimes it’s really hot or really cold at the busstop. That’s it.
Increase ridership and perhaps rail will increase and weekend routes will become available. Until then, I’d like to thank the taxpayers for paying for my ride to work.
I merely request anybody who stumbles upon this rant, change the way you get to work. Take the bus, drive to a Park & Ride. Ignore the rising gas prices and think of what the other costs of delivering affordable gas are.
By gman
April 8, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this
I take the GCT too. Our offices moved downtown at the end of last year and the drive to Atlanta was terrible. Riding the bus saves time and money. Not only that, the seats and ride is very comfortable. I think a lot of people are starting to find this out cause there’s not a morning where the 6:55am bus is not filled anymore…
By Michael H. Smith
April 8, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
A perhaps not so unusual article appears – at least presently- in the metro section of today’s AJC paper that presses social conscience into action. For this cause the rude interruption and off topic comment is made.
There is someone I hope you will meet, his name Charles Nyaga. http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/2007/04/07/0408metwaiting.html.
Mr. Nyaga is an immigrant according to the article - a legal immigrant of course - who through no fault of his own is now the subject to deportation simply because he did work hard, played by and obeyed – to the government letter - our rules. Normally our courts when functioning properly use their power of judicial review to right such wrongs imposed – as on Mr. Nyaga - under law rather than as other occasions have noted write wrongs from the bench into law. No argument the letter of the law has been violated in this case and that ignorance of the law provides no excuse. However, the sum soul n’ spirit of all that is the nature of law in this country cannot be in finality subject to the tyranny of ink laying upon the despotism of paper to dismiss readily the commonality of fair play from our inalienable senses of what is right and what is wrong.
My fellow legal immigration advocates of like mind, all which represent me in government at any level and my fellow Americans. I urge you we cannot allow this man and his family to be deported.
Please excuse me for now I have some very important people I need to write letters to.
By TISM
April 8, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Hmm. Does this not prove that commuter trains do have a good shot at actually working? Plus they don’t have to wait in traffic… Hmm….
By rod
April 8, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
if any men would like to park their bus in my garage email rod at roderick.bright@bellsouth.com
By Nikita
April 9, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
I live about a mile away from Hewett road (off Highpoint in Snellville) and I have riden the Express 418 bus since it started on April 2nd. I work at 55 Park Place in downtown and besides a few glitches with the afternoon service (drivers still learning the route) I have enjoyed the service. When I worked for Georgia Power I used to vanpool and it really saved on gas and wear and tear on your vehicle. And for the nay-sayers who think a bus route that only runs during working hours will “ruin the neighborhood” I say that I never heard of a robbery or break-in taking place on the bus route. What is the thief suppose to do after taking your goods afterwards? Wait on the next bus? Wake up and step into 2007. This bus route is needed in Snellville because Snellville growing faster than the Mayor, City Council or development planners can handle.
By Michael H. Smith
April 9, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
Well Nikita there was a guy years back as memory serves who in fact did actually use MARTA in the commission of robberies. Though setting that aside stepping into the reality of 2007 for this area will prove one heck of a fight. But the truth is we have run out of viable transportation options and here is the situation as things are: we have a road deficit, we have nearly nothing in available land to build new roads, Hot lanes or so-called Lexus lanes aren’t really a solution when you consider the HOV lanes are running at capacity now during rush-hours. Buses are somewhat of the answer but they are not enough. I am watching and reading what others are saying about the brain train and using existing rail lines or rail line right of way; because as I see it, we’re getting ready to have one more royal heated debate right shortly about mobility for the Metro area at large. If any have viewed the documentary, “Going Nowhere Fast”, then they realize no one single mode of transportation will provide an absolute solution.
By LJ
April 9, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
What a Godsend! I have never taken a commuter bus, period, but had been eagerly waiting for the 418 Snellville bus to get started. The inagural day of this service saw me waiting to board and I’ve taken it every day since. I work at the SNAFC and live east of Monroe. For a long time I commuted to downtown and parked at the building, then I started taking the MARTA train out of Avondale. Honestly? “glitches” and all, I LOVE taking the bus! Not only does it “leave the driving to someone else”, it allows me to arrive at my office and back at my car totally relaxed. I can snooze, listen to the radio or read and I DON’T have to play “dodge ‘em” cars with some of the most inconsiderate, ill-tempered and downright dangerous drivers on the road today.
I work four ten-hour days, catching the 5:40 a.m. 418 bus (the 5:30 a.m. bus when the church parking lot opens) and arriving at my office at 6:25 a.m. the first day and 6:20 a.m. the next three days. And my arrival back home? On a “good” day when driving from Avondale MARTA, I arrive home anywhere between 6:35 and 6:45 p.m. On a “normal” day it’s more like 7:00 p.m. Since riding the bus I have arrived home around 6:45 p.m. give or take a minute or two.
I understand the possibility of delays because of traffic and wrecks, etc. But the fact that I am totally relaxed when I get back to my car helps me not be so upset with those who seemingly believe they are the only “important” people on the road.
Aside from the reasons above, I find it refreshing to be able to access a mode of transportation that allows me to relax, is CLEAN and provides a certain sense of security. Something one seldom experiences on MARTA trains.
It’s not perfect, nothing is, but I hope folks will give it a try, allow them to work out the bugs and keep the complaints down to a minimum unless it is really warranted. Now if we could just convince those who seem bent on killing the 418 bus, aside from van pools (which do not carry as many people as a bus), what other solution do you have? I’m a confessed “driveaholic”. Tell me I’m going to drive cross country and I’m heading out to pack the van…but taking the bus is one pleasurable way to get to work and I would hate to think I would have to either re-enter the not-so-wonderful world of MARTA trains…or drive to Conyers in order to catch a bus. All because someone (who as far as I know) does not take the bus. A commuter bus no less, not a local city bus. Why not take it for a ride if you haven’t yet?
By LJ
April 9, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
I neglected to add one suggestion to my last comments. I would invite those in power to pick a day or two at random and ride with your constituents. Ask them face-to-face what they think and share your own personal views with them. No better way to “connect” with those who put you in office than to talk to them directly. Doesn’t mean opinions will be changed (but then perhaps it might) but atleast everyone would better understand the other’s reasoning. Though I am not a resident of Gwinnett County therefore have no “voice”, I do not see where talking with each other while riding the bus would not hurt.
By Gwinnetter
April 10, 2007 1:45 AM | Link to this
My wife used to love to ride the Xpress buss from the weat side downtown.
Now that we live in Gwinnett it only goes to Doraville. Every other sode of town goes all the way downtown. Why not from Gwinnett. She would ride again if it did.
By get off
April 10, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Michael H. Smith - you are very negative. Get off this post and go look in the mirror and if things are better, cut your wrists. OMG, you are a very sad sad man…..
By Michael H. Smith
April 10, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
Nah too much fun watching you get off. Maybe you’ll cut your wrist. Go ahead make me happy.
By justin
April 10, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
Michael and Bruce need to hook up with Rod. Maybe that would give them something to do that they could agree on and enjoy. Then maybe they would get a life and stay off the AJC blogs.
By Michael H. Smith
April 11, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
If one spends all that much of their time watching those whom they say should “get a life”, it kind of makes the other ones wonder what the preoccupied whiner has for a life?
But for the preoccupied whiner, since all you got going on in your life is to whine about watching me on the AJC blogs, then unless you are speaking for the AJC and have the ability to remove what is being posted, here’s another reason to keep living.
By tribalecho
April 12, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this
I’m jealous. Though I live two minutes from a train station in East Point and work right off I-75 at Paces Ferry, it takes almost two hours to make a 20 minute trip. And the last time I tried it the bus broke down on Howell Mill near 14th and everyone on the bus was told that they should walk to the nearest train station. It was around 10:30 PM. Needless to say, I drive to work. I would totally love to use public transit but my route is not well served. I think this is because some people have always thought of MARTA as the transport of “riff raff”. Atlanta is not well-served by folks who dismiss working people as riff raff. When I first moved here back in ‘74 I was told that MARTA stood for Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta. Ours is the only Metro system in the country that receives no State funds. While I’m glad the peeps in the burbs are embracing public transit I wish they would question some old assumptions and challenge our lawmakers to give the whole Metro area a first-class public transit system. It’s not the riff raff keeping me in my car.