Commutants!

By Karama Neal

November 8, 2005 10:53 AM | Link to this

I use MARTA to commute from South Dekalb every day, and most times it goes off without a hitch. That said, I am glad to have a car for the evenings and weekends. It would be interesting to profile some folks who choose to use MARTA, not because they have to, but because they want to. Perhaps that would encourage more folks to try and stick with MARTA. In turn, the public transit services would improve because of greater revenue, larger ridership, etc.

By Carolyn Wilder

November 8, 2005 11:08 AM | Link to this

I visited NYC for the 1st time Labor Day weekend. I hope it won’t be the last time. I took the buses a lot! Took the subway once, but decided I wanted to where I was going. The buses and subway were clean, didn’t smell rank. The bus drivers were actually friendly and helpful. As a senior citizen I rode for a dollar! The taxes in Atlanta wouldn’t be so hard to take if the citizens got something to show for all that money. If Atlanta can afford to spend millions for the ATL, they can surely afford to send some people from MARTA to NYC to learn the right way to run a transit system.

By Charles

November 8, 2005 11:10 AM | Link to this

As a newcomer to the New York area from Atlanta, I can say that this is very true. I think with Atlanta, there are some significant differences:

I also believe that as the commuters move closer to the city and the population density Atlanta grows, people will eventually realize that there will be no more places to “build better roads” and mass transit options will surface—especially with incentives like the “Transportation Assistance Program”, which (here in New York) provides $40/month towards deferring the cost of a 30-day Card (which knocks my costs down to rough $11/month for transportation.)

With patience, the better options will eventually come to pass. Either that or mass hysteria.

By Becca

November 8, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this

Finally someone who understands! Yes, this is a car town, yes, you need one and yes, the alternative transportation options are ridiculous. You can bike if you have time, you can wait on the bus if you have time and tolerance for “crude” behaviour, and you can sit in relative comfort if you have a car. It’s not right, but it’s the way it is.

By Debbie Matticola

November 8, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this

I rode MARTA for 11 years. During those years, I had the great goodfortune one time to be seated next to someone who fondled himself and nobody seemed interested in doing anything about it. Another time, I ran up the stairs at Doraville and when I got to the train door, the driver shut the door in my face and yelled out “Sorry whitey” and took off. I happily drive myself to work now and don’t have to be subjected to perverts and racists. I’ll sit in traffic anyday.

By Ace

November 8, 2005 11:25 AM | Link to this

After growing up in ATL I lived in Boston and developed a fondness for good public transportation (its not great there but it is good. For great go somewhere like London.) The problem with Marta, besides those mentioned above, is that the stations are not located where people actually go - they are located where the politicians thought people ought to go or based on who ought to use it.

By Jerry

November 8, 2005 11:28 AM | Link to this

I use MARTA becasue I want to. I feel more human riding with others, was more isolated when it was just me in the car with Neal Borks. Yeah there are interesting and difficult people but isn’t that what life is about? I wish someone could force trains out beyond 285 and wish that buses were on a tighter schedule. But I wish everything else in my life was just the way I want it too - there seems to be a lesson somewhere in all of this.

By Joe

November 8, 2005 11:29 AM | Link to this

Debbie — 11 years and two bad incidents? I’ll take that any day compared to the countless number of bad incidents I encounter on the roads on a daily basis.

By the way, it sounds like you were among those not interested in doing anything about the pervert.

By Brian

November 8, 2005 11:30 AM | Link to this

Ever since being accosted on a MARTA south rail by a gang of punks on the way to the airport, I have decided to drive myself and Park ‘N Ride. Atlanta’s police are bad enough, but Marta’s police are a joke, especially if you happen to be a white male. No thanks. I’ll stay WAY outside the perimeter with regards to ANY public transportation.

By nicole

November 8, 2005 11:33 AM | Link to this

I would gladly give up my car for public transportation…if it was actually where I needed it. Marta is great for the occasional downtown trip for special events. But I actually work downtown, and I still find it easier to drive. For one, there aren’t enough stations at key spots. Also, my commute is typically around 30 minutes. If I were to take Marta, I’d have to drive to the local train station, park my car, and then sit through all of the stops. It would take over an hour at the minimum. Hate to say it, but Marta is not sMarta.

By Lee

November 8, 2005 11:39 AM | Link to this

Like Atlanta and Hip-Hop, MARTA sucks. Who wants to subject themselves to the jerks that seem to dominate the trains, with no regard or respect for anyone, and that probably includes themselves. By the way, I’m in Atlanta for a few more years, I’m here because I have to work!

By Adrienne

November 8, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this

The level of service you receive DOES depend on your area. The North Springs trains are ALWAYS air conditioned and, for the most part, always on time. Marta tries to cater to the white people in Alpharetta way more than the black folks in Decatur. I ride Marta because I WANT to and because it is convenient. But if Marta continues to see white people’s money as more valuable than mine, I will start driving to work.

By Marta_can_be_Smart

November 8, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this

I ride MARTA by choice to work each day. I use my car in the evenings and weekends. I ride Marta for varied reasons…I like that I don’t get stuck in traffic and that I don’t have to pay $100/month to park, but I also like knowing that I’m doing my part to help reduce pollution.

I do sometimes get bothered by the people who don’t know how to act in public, and unfortunately, those people are normally black (I am also black). I think the fact that most of the trouble makers are black, it makes alot of white people uncomfortable. My hope is that these trouble makers can see how other people act and maybe adjust their behavior to be better.

By T. Starling

November 8, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this

I rode Marta for the better part of 5 years from Clarkston to my previous job in Buckhead & my current position Midtown. I lived in Pittsburgh, PA where the Port Authority Transit System(PAT) was the only way to truly get around. Even in the harshest weather environments & the buses were reliable and on-time. With the train system here I can honestly say its a play-it-by-ear ride. When a train breaks down & you watch 5 trains going the opposite way with a PA speaker blaring, “We’re experiencing technical difficulties the next train is currently leaving H.E. Holmes.” All the while when the train does come its a shuttle to King Mem. Station or Inman Park. The peace of mind of driving and getting where you want to get to when you need to far surpasses any positives to riding Marta in its current state. Want to have real fun goto any station after 9 PM and wait on a train to connect to a bus ride at a specific time. You’ll probably miss that bus.

By jennifer

November 8, 2005 11:51 AM | Link to this

There are just as many jerks in vehicles on the roads. They pull in front of people nearly clipping their cars, they flip people off, yell obscenities, knit, put on makeup, read novels, and don’t seem to know what the color green means at a stoplight.

There are sickos everywhere. Could you not get up and move away from the man fondling himself? If not, did you report him to anyone? You have to tell someone for them to know what’s happening on MARTA. Quite frankly, if it were me I’d have told him to STOP. Then, if that didn’t work, a good swift kick to that groin area he likes so much would have made him think twice about whipping it out in public. Sometimes people like that only do those types of things because they know most people are afraid of saying/doing anything about it. Sometimes it’s more of a thrill for them if they know it makes you uncomfortable.

By Michelle

November 8, 2005 11:56 AM | Link to this

I’ve just moved to Atlanta after living without a car in a large city for five years. I’ve been using MARTA by choice to get from East Atlanta to downtown, but the system doesn’t do much to encourage me to use it. — The token machines are picky about taking bills and you can only buy monthly passes at a couple stations. — If you can find a schedule, it’s difficult to interpret. — The signs say the system that tells you when the next train will be coming isn’t working and will be back soon. (I’ve been riding for 6 weeks and it hasn’t been fixed.) — Trying to get around on a weekend resulted in a 2-hour journey from Atlantic Station to Inman Park, with tracks closed and trains running slowly. I wasn’t in a hurry, but the folks who were trying to get to the hockey game or other events that evening were choosing to walk or search for taxis. It’s no wonder people don’t take MARTA unless they have to.

By FalconDude

November 8, 2005 11:58 AM | Link to this

Lyle, are you trying to say that those that own cars should not use them but ride MARTA so that those that don’t have cars don’t feel so bad? Are you trying to say that because New Yorkers ride the train, that somehow makes them better than us?

Sorry Bubba, but I don’t plan to ride an inconvenient bus or a train that goes nowhere near where I need to go, just so some carpetbagger will say “oh, these nice southerners, they all ride the train so everyone can be equal”. What ACLU kind of crap is that anyway? I could care less about who is riding the bus with me, but I do care about getting where I want to go on time, and with a minimum of fuss and trouble. And until MARTA can provide that, I am going to keep on driving my car.

You have proven what I have thought about many from up north…the cold has frozen your brain and unfortunately it melted when you moved down here and it ran out your ears.

By Bill

November 8, 2005 12:01 PM | Link to this

I’ve ridden MARTA rail Monday - Friday from Northsprings to the Civic Center for 22 months. It saves money and wear on my car, but not time. Advice for the new or occasional MARTA rail riders: Do not depend on the intercom message to tell what station is next. Know the station number you want and keep up with where you are. Move quickly when you want to exit the train, otherwise you may not get off in time. No need to ask what the train schedule is. The train will simply “be there when it gets there”. Always allow extra time for the likely delays. I could go on and on, but enough said for now.

By Marge

November 8, 2005 12:10 PM | Link to this

I think that Marta is not given funding by outer lying counties. Only Dekalb and Fulton pay the 1% tax for it. I think if other counties participated, then we would see if rascism is a factor on Marta riding attendance. Statistically the majority of the black population in Metro Atlanta reside in these two counties, so we cannot answer your question if Marta is a rascist experience or not.

By Keon Johnson

November 8, 2005 12:13 PM | Link to this

It’s racism and politics. MARTA gets little to nothing from the State of Georgia…yet they expect it to make miracles. MARTA transports person from Gwinett, Rockdale, Cobb, and Clayton, yet the people of those counties feel that a 1% tax is too much. When MARTA was first proposed by Sam Marcel, he tried to get all the counties in metro Atlanta to sign on. DeKalb, Fulton, and Atlanta bought into the system. The rest said, “we don’t want to ruin our suburban lifestyle” That’s code for we don’t want poor people or blacks to have easy access to our neighborhood. If you don’t believe see what the percentage of black living in Gwinett, Cobb, Clayton etc…was during that time. Then Cobb knowing they needed transportation…decided they were too good to be associated with MARTA. CCT, is a joke and everyone knows it. The new transportation systems in Gwinett and Clayton are jokes as well. It’s amazing that the Republicans which complain of duplicate services and programs support it. Don’t be decieved race and politics are very much a part of the equation in this problem. Unfortunately, class has also be thrown in the mix. The fore mentioned counties now have large percentages of African-Americans who seem to have forgotten what it’s like to not have. We can’t blame MARTA or it’s workers for the problem. You get what you pay for. You restrict it’s access by ordinances, you restrict the people that ride it by it’s access, you handicap the system by straining it with non-tax paying riders from the area that CLAIM THEY DON’T WANT OR NEED IT. They you give it a slap in the face saying, “We need public transportation and we want your support…but we don’t want to pay you for it! Let’s be honest here!

By Steve

November 8, 2005 12:15 PM | Link to this

Wow, Falcon Dude. It seems like you’ve got some serious issues with Yankees. I think you’re referring to his “point of pride” issue. What I believe that meant was that the community was proud that the system was efficient, clean, and useful. The system was a good ambassador for the city. MARTA is not a good ambassador for the city. It’s inefficient, it doesn’t go anywhere, and it offers little incentive to use it. Lay off the irrational straw man arguments.

By L.

November 8, 2005 12:16 PM | Link to this

I live in Douglas County and commute to Cobb County, and I must say that Atlanta is very fortunate to have a heavy rail system, because given the climate out here in the burbs- local service transit would still be non-existent.

By Rhett

November 8, 2005 12:17 PM | Link to this

As a former state employee working in the twin towers (sloppy floyd building) I chose to take MARTA as it was a straight shot from Buckhead and let me off right inside my office building. I was also afforded discount monthly MARTA cards. Within six months, I was so sick of the delays and on the part of openly rude behavior by ignorant MARTA employees, I gave up. I rented an expensive parking space and began driving. Subsequently, I swore off MARTA and have never so much as boarded a train. The fact that I see they now choose to build their ‘repair station’ on some of the most expensive real estate in Atlanta, as opposed to further out, assures me that I have done well to not contribute my coins into such a poorly run organization.

By Craig

November 8, 2005 12:18 PM | Link to this

I started using public transportation in Washington DC. I have been taking MARTA since 1991 by choice — avoid buying a car and in theory helping the environment. In Washington DC the Metro is truly a blend of people of all classes and color. MARTA appears to have fewer upper class, but there is a mix; I see African-Americans, Hispanics, Africans, Asian-Americans, Asians, Eastern Europeans, and some whites. One lesson I learned is if one is poor and must rely on MARTA, it is difficult and very time consuming. It must be close to impossible for them to vote. In general, I have not experienced incidents with other passengers except once or twice. I have experienced buses refusing to stop at bus stops for no apparent reason, I have experienced buses breaking down in the early morning (a true mystery to me), and buses late regularly (sometimes the combination of breakdowns and tardiness results in a wait of over an hour). MARTA would benefit from bus lanes, especially during the afternoon rush hour, avoiding traffic congestion woulld help them keep to their schedule, more rationale routes (I take 2 buses that, at best, takes 90 minutes combined, at worst 2-3 hours for a 20 minute trip by car) and better maintenance. I have complained to MARTA that they are forcing me to consider getting a car, but so far I have resisted.

By Melvin Raines II

November 8, 2005 12:20 PM | Link to this

I am currently living in Miami, Florida, where the mass transit system is comparable to MARTA’s transportation system, i.e., very unreliable (I am qualified to speak on MARTA as I lived in Atlanta for four years, and visit at least once a month). However, I have attributed the unreliability to the newness of the systems. As the population in the south becomes more dense, I feel the systems will get better. I have visited New York several times and there public transportation is impeccable, but then again, it has been there for over 100 years.

Nonetheless, the real issue is pollution. In order for us to preserve the Earth and some of her natural resources, we are going to have to be more conscious of our wastefulness and individuality. Very few of the comments here have touched on pollution. As Americans, we have been spoiled. There are plenty of solutions to fix MARTA, e.g., petitions by riders to hold those responsible for the untimeliness and lack of security. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. If we don’t reduce our dependency on the automobile, the horrific storms that have plaqued the Gulf Coast and Florida will dramatically increase.

By hmmm

November 8, 2005 12:20 PM | Link to this

The first time I heard of MARTA, some 20 years ago, I was told that it was an acronym for ‘Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta’. Of COURSE there’s an overriding feeling among the white constituency that it’s not very safe, regardless if that’s true or not. In the more than 12 years I’ve lived here, the ‘hate whitey’ culture of Atlanta has been demonstrated almost daily. It’s the biggest reason so many of us suburbanites avoid the city.

By No good Marta

November 8, 2005 12:20 PM | Link to this

Marta is one of the worst public transportation systems among the industrialized nations. There are basically 2 tracks: North-South and East-West. You can’t get any simpler than that. Yet there are delays on daily basis. The management team needs to be replaced by people who know what they are doing. Atlanta will never be a first class city with this kind of junk running around the city.

By Ken

November 8, 2005 12:31 PM | Link to this

I ride Marta because I can. I have a car and chose to ride Marta to my job in Midtown. It’s cheaper than a garage and quite entertaining particularly during a full moon. There are a lot of different people on those trains and I think that makes it interesting. The only issue I see with Marta is ocasionally too many people crowd the doors and create a people jam particularly at 5 points. I think a lot of people who aren’t around ‘city’ people are too ignorant to get over the few bad apples. Go Marta!

By Debbie

November 8, 2005 12:31 PM | Link to this

Yes, I reported the fondler and was told to chill out. I guess I’m just another uptight white lady. Enjoy your rides on MARTA.

By Sha

November 8, 2005 12:34 PM | Link to this

I use to take Marta and some of our own(black males and females) do act like they have no home training. I purchased a $700 Aerostar van to commute. I know there has to be a better way to get more transportation around this city than this. It is surely a race factor. I am from NY and you were glad to take the bus or train with no problem. Alot more people here would like to take the bus or train to get around, but the schedule and system sucks. I would love to spend $13 a week on a Marta card than $40 - $100 a week in gas. I live in Cobb County and I see mad people waiting on buses on Sunday. It is crazy then the buses come every 1 to 2 hours on a regular work day is sick. People have to work everyday therefore it should be transportation to get them around everyday in every city around Atlanta from Riverdale to Kennesaw. I knew the system was messed up when it takes a growing city such as Atlanta to expand and build new roads a year or more to fix. That is crazy. State officals should stop waisting tax money and get to the bottom of these problems. This city is growing to fast for the sorry bus, train, and road systems that they have in effect. But they are quick to build jails and lock ya butt up though!!!! Figure that, where are Atlanta priorities??? You already now not for us(blacks). To many people are down here from other states trying to make it, so make it affordable to get around on a working public transportation system or get your butts out of office. Something needs to be done. To much money is going to bull-ish instead of helping the city. Transportation is a big, big problem that is growing constantly.

By Lyle V. Harris

November 8, 2005 12:43 PM | Link to this

To the poster who’s trying to turn this blog into a red-state/blue-state death match, Sorry Dude. Not going to happen. Uh-uh. If you want to drive, then by all means drive to your wee heart’s delight. My only point here is that there’s no good reason that we ALL have to remain slaves to a single form of transportation. Maybe you’re independently wealthy and can afford gas at more than two bucks a gallon, but I sure can’t. Maybe you don’t care jack about the environment, but I sure do. In fact, the less of us on the road means less congestion for you, right? As some of the more thoughtful posters have correctly noted, this doesn’t have to be an either-or proposition. What’s missing is an acknowledgment by politicians and transportation officials that we must invest in other forms of transporatation (besides roads) for us to remain economically competitive with other cities around the world.
Doing that won’t be cheap, and everybody who lives here and who claims they want a better transportation system will have to pony up to make it happen. Since we’ve gotten a lot of response to this so far, I’m curious what everyone else thinks about creating a regional transportation tax/fee which has already been suggested. Any ideas???

By Michael

November 8, 2005 12:43 PM | Link to this

Only insanity (which includes racism) could make people want to sit in the same traffic on the same highways every day. You would think that sane people would have stormed the Capitol demanding mass transit that would get rid of the daily backups on the major interstates and all the multi-lane highways like 29 here in Gwinnett, 120 and all other east-west roads north of the city. What are you people waiting for? Have you noticed that there isn’t enough room to double the lanes, which is the only thing that would help? For every weirdo you meet on a MARTA train or bus, you’ll meet 5 or 10 bad drivers on the road (at the minimum). Go buy an iPod, download some episodes of Lost and a few music videos, then ride to work without the stress of driving.

By geechee

November 8, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this

You can’t really compare ATL with NYC. Thats probably the most traveled mass transit system in the world in NYC. There are probably as many people or more using mass transit in NYC as there are living in the metro Atlanta. That’s a lot of cash flow. They are also stronly supported by federal, state, and local government. You are talking about one municipality as opposed to the hundreds or whatever that make up Atlanta. Atlanta is setup more like LA than NYC.

Marta was setup for failure from the get go. There were a lot of selfish interests from local governments to the original Braves ownership who was afraid that if Marta ran to Fulton Co Stadium they would lose parking revenue. How short sighted was that? Out of the original five counties who should have had enough civic pride to support it only the two did and still do. The state legislature does not ride it so they could give a big you know what. You have to have the funds to do all you want. Marta doesn’t and it doesn’t help that it is so mismanaged and wasting a lot of those limited funds.If the Governor of the state doesnot step up and be a leader in this matter, forget about it.

By Michael Halicki

November 8, 2005 12:53 PM | Link to this

A lot of the discussion by the “commutants� centers on what they hate about their new modes of travel. Making a change—any change—is rarely easy. By dwelling too much on the short-term drawbacks your writers miss an important point – there are significant long-term benefits. Consider this: the Clean Air Campaign’s Cash for Commuters program, which provides an incentive of $3 day, up to $180 over a three month period, illustrates how these growing pains frequently subside once commuters get used to the ins and outs of carpooling and taking transit. In fact, 64 percent of Cash for Commuters participants continued to carpool and take transit up to a year AFTER the incentive ended. Why? It isn’t because they are gluttons for punishment. It’s because they liked the cost savings, the stress reduction and the other benefits that made clean commuting more enjoyable than driving alone.

My advice to your commutants is this: Suck it up and stick with it—at least for 90 days. If you do so, be sure to enroll in Cash for Commuters and earn $3 a day for your commute [www.cleanaircampaign.com]. The fact is that 90 days has made a difference for thousands, and it just might make the difference for each of you.

By archie

November 8, 2005 12:58 PM | Link to this

JOE- If my wife were treated like ‘Debbie’ was, I for one would feel uncomfortable w/ her riding public transit. And as for you comment “By the way, it sounds like you were among those not interested in doing anything about the pervert.” What was she supposed to do?? Pull his hand out of his pants for him? What an idiot you are.

By Gman

November 8, 2005 12:58 PM | Link to this

I’m with Sha. I’ve lived in Atlanta for close to 20 years now. The only time I ever took the train was when it was going to 10th street for music midtown. I also took it once to ATL airport. Can’t say much about either experience since both trips were on a weekend, not a weekday.

Driving in rush hour traffic from 6am-9am and then again at 4pm-7pm is ridiculous. But As I pass gwinnett transit buses on my ride to work, I realize the only reason I’m not on one is because I don’t want to deal with a bus schedule, the switch between Gwinnett transit to Marta since I work near perimeter mall, and the walk from the stop of my B location to work. It’s not convenient for my 9 to 5 job.

Make a subway system that interconnects all major counties around Atlanta. give me a train that goes from Lawrenceville to Atlanta and I’ll ride that.

By Qwami

November 8, 2005 01:01 PM | Link to this

More white folks need to use MARTA to make it less racist

By Birdie

November 8, 2005 01:01 PM | Link to this

I was groped on Marta when I was just out of college and too naive to do anything about it except for utter my meanest “Do it again” dare to the pervert. I banned Marta for years and I’m about to give them another chance by starting to commute daily from my new home that I purchased with one of it’s greatest features being that it’s so close to Marta. Atlanta has turned me into somewhat of a bigot over the years but I’m determined to do what’s right and deal with and stand up to the reverse racism that I’ve become use to in this town.

By John

November 8, 2005 01:08 PM | Link to this

Wow Sha. You can’t speak at all and know nothing.

By Bill

November 8, 2005 01:13 PM | Link to this

As another poster said, making things better starts with you. At the Decatur station, we repeatedly had a problem with aggressive groups of young men playing the token scam, where they’d offer a token for a $1 to anyone who appeared to be about to buy one at the machines next to the east fare gates. When the token was accepted, they would push the rider through the luggage gate (the one with the crash bar) without depositing the token. Then they’d use it again on the next patsy, making a handsome profit off their $1.75 investment. If you declined to play, they would get belligerent. I and some of my fellow riders simply used the emergency phone on the platform to call in a report and ask for MARTA police presence. Within a few days, there were officers or employees on site, watching the gate. I’ve only seen one recurrence of the problem since then — it’s been about a year. If, as I assume, MARTA keeps track of incidents by date and location, such reporting becomes even more important and effective. But you have to be willing to pick up the white pone and say something when you see bad things going on.

By Sam Clapp

November 8, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this

I use MARTA trains every day from East Point to downtown, and then I take a bus from 5 points. I love this arrangement, actually. I have been able to read hundreds of books, and I complete exercises for my German class on transit, as well.

I am a white man, and, if anyone’s behavior is ridiculous on the train, it’s white people’s. White people on the way to the airport are easy to spot, even in a “color-blind society,” because they’re the ones who have barricaded themselves alone into a seat with their luggage rather than using the designated luggage spots. If they don’t have any luggage, then they sit in the outside seat, hoping that no one will attempt to take the seat beside them.

A persistent myth must be addressed here, that of MARTA’s lack of stations in “convenient places.” Careful observers will have already realized that with very few exceptions, MARTA runs only in the right of way of other modes of transportation (Mostly rail, but occasionally, as in the case of the North Line, road). The exception area, interestingly, is one of the newest, from Medical Center station up to North Springs. Perhaps there’s hope that the system can extend to places that will mollify the carpers. Except…wait…. the carpers are the ones who also carp about Marta extending into their neighborhoods, as if roving bands of negro youths would inevitably steal their televisions and deprive women of their honor (one’s vocabulary cannot get 1950’s enough when one mocks this type of person)

However, MARTA is not without blame. Bus and Train operators seem to be unable to follow their most basic policies and procedures (when was the last time you saw a bus stopped beside a fast food restaurant while the operator dashed in for a meal? Last night, you say? When was the last time you heard the pre-recorded station announcements on the train? Months ago? And have you ever been told by a bus operator that the bus would be leaving “not by YOUR watch, by MY watch”? Not so ancient secret: an early bus or train is deadlier than a late bus or train). The system’s management style is a rhetorical nightmare, too. What kind of fool would reduce train frequency and increase fares (out of necessity, it’s true) but then put the announcement under the heading of “Getting as Good as New”? If that’s Good as New, please give me Better as Old! Fare gates (to be replaced, says Dame Rumor) are constantly in disrepair. Train announcements in the stations do not work. The brand new (“Good as New?”) electronic train status signs are now “temporarily” unavailable. The Trip Planner on the MARTA website once went “temporarily” unavailable, but it forever disappeared. The website is based on the “barrier to information” model rather than the “gateway to information” model.

So, despite the ridiculous behavior of occasional patrons and would-be patrons, MARTA could probably make a start at improvement by cleaning its own house (particularly the part about operators following the already-established rules. Easy, right?)

By Julie

November 8, 2005 01:19 PM | Link to this

I used to drive in some nasty 400 traffic between my home and job. Thanks to the encouragement The Perimeter Transportation Coaltion (PTC) and the generousity of my employer, UPS, who provides a shuttle to and from the station and office, I’ve been riding MARTA for two years now. I know MARTA is, by far, not the most efficient or convenient transportation system in the world but it’s all we’ve got right now. I would encourage anyone who is able, to try mass transit for one month and discover if it is right for you. My trip time takes a bit longer now but I read in the morning and sleep in the evenings. I used to drive and cuss both ways. It’s been a most theraputic switch for me…good for one’s mental health, the environment, one’s wallet, and hopefully healing the social/racial wounds of this city.

By Ally

November 8, 2005 01:24 PM | Link to this

My husband and I are among the few who choose to ride MARTA, despite the fact that we both have cars. In fact, when we first moved here, we chose an apartment near a train station, and when it came time to buy a house last spring, we made sure we bought near a station once again.

Yes, it can be horribly inconvenient, and would it KILL them to give a little more detail to passengers who are enduring their third substantial delay in two days, but I’m happy not having to deal with the mess on the highways, happy not paying for gas and parking, and happy to be doing my small part for the environment.

All that aside, I do agree with the poster who noted the difference between conditions on the N-S line vs. the E-W line. We live on the latter now (used to live on the N-S), and we definitely feel like second-class citizens. As much as I support MARTA, I feel for those who have no other option but to take the train…much less the bus.

By geechee

November 8, 2005 01:26 PM | Link to this

“A lot of the discussion by the “commutantsâ€? centers on what they hate about their new modes of travel.”

Ooops maybe I shouldn’t have been here. I don’t even ride it, though I have. I’m about 5000 miles away from ATL. I was just adding some outside observations about why Marta doesn’t seem to be going places where people are trying to go. I’ll leave now.

By SHA

November 8, 2005 01:27 PM | Link to this

As a Black Urban Young Adult (from NY) I avoid MARTA due to the lack of reliabilty and the ghetto-minded communters. I live in Gwinnett and oppose the very thought of metro transit in my county due to the crowd it will attract. Currently thinking about moving to Alantic station, and also will oppose Marta from operating in that community. Living in NYC and using the buses and subways, i never had a problem with the crowd even in Harlem. I think its the Ghetto-Southern mentality that is so accepted here in Atlanta.

By Alexis

November 8, 2005 01:33 PM | Link to this

I ride MARTA from Dunwoody to Peachtree Center every day. While it’s certainly not London or New York’s train system, for about $50 a month I have relatively stress-free transportation to and from work, lower gas bills, and I don’t have to pay for parking. However, I WILL NOT work late for fear of having to wait for a train during the much shadier off-peak hours. Rush hour is fine. The clientele are mostly business professionals with decent manners and hygiene. The MARTA experience is a little more uncertain if you travel in the afternoon or at night. I think that MARTA is missing a perfect opportunity with gas prices and traffic the way they are right now. Why not add more trains and beef up security to show potential clients that there is a safer and more efficient way of communting? While it would require an investment at first, businesses get and keep customers by providing customer service.

By Mark

November 8, 2005 01:37 PM | Link to this

I am a white, suburban male living outside the perimeter, who chooses to take MARTA to a midtown work location many days. I do it because traffic is stressful, wears my car down, saves gas, etc. But make no mistake, MARTA is a terribly-run entity. Its schedules are a joke, its fare ‘system’ is pathetic, and its “quality of service” is non-existent. MARTA is all we have, and our undercapacity in roadways will insist it continue to be minimally used (ensuring that it never breaks even and continues to have to be ‘subsidized’ in the form of taxes), but anyone defending MARTA is someone who doesn’t actually use it; it is a horrible service overall.

By Ron

November 8, 2005 01:44 PM | Link to this

Ask the greatest race baiters in USA-J. Jackson,A.Sharpton, and the other (?)racist who flaps his jaws on the networks!

By Vince

November 8, 2005 01:48 PM | Link to this

I usually ride Marta when I go to a Falcons game or other event in the downtown area. Now, however, I actually drive further to ride Marta for a shorter amount of time. Why? Because about 1/2 the time I ride Marta, I get threatened by some person in one fashion or another. I was once threatened at the 5 Points Station by a gentleman who said he would push me into the tracks because I didn’t want to give him a $$ handout. This was with about 300 people standing around watching, none of which did anything. No police were anywhere around until the next train showed up. I have been verbally threatened, slapped in the chest, and get asked for money almost everytime I get on the train. And for Falcons’ games, it’s extremely inconvenient from the North line, as the total trip time from the North Springs station to the Dome (and vice-versa) is anywhere from 60-90 minutes. I now drive further (to a station on the East-West bound line) and take that 5 minute ride to the game instead of sitting on the train for an hour (or more). I’d rather sit in my car and listen to the post-game. And my total trip time doing that is less than 60 minutes. Everytime.

By Sara

November 8, 2005 01:57 PM | Link to this

For those who are complaining about the lack of funding MARTA receives from the state of Georgia. Think back to a few years ago when this finacially struggling transportation service was operating in the red and and it was discovered while lay-offs were issued to the lower wage earning personnel, it was discovered the upper tier enjoyed free cell phones for the families, compnay cars and personal trainers and lavish parties. If MARTA is not making a profit, fire the and replace the top tier of management, they have proven themselves to be less than worthy of the lofty titles and positions they hold.

By Russ

November 8, 2005 02:04 PM | Link to this

Race? Wow, I’ve heard it all now.

By Darlene Andre

November 8, 2005 02:08 PM | Link to this

Why does everything in this town (and the whole country as a matter of fact) have to be based on “race”. No matter what happens - hurricanes, transportation - you name it and someone has to relate it to race. I do not feel that it is my fault that some of the people of my race and or any other race are poor and cannot afford a car, a house, a whatever! Free public, integrated education has been here for years. Anyone old enough to still be working had the same opportunity as me to get a education. If you chose not to, then that is your fault - not mine or the rest of the world. We do not owe other people a living!

By Leah

November 8, 2005 02:14 PM | Link to this

I am a resident of Washington DC and use our metro train system on a daily basis. I have relatives in Decatur and took Marta from the airport to Decatur. I am a young hispanic woman but might pass for white and I can’t believe the hatred and racist atmosphere on MARTA. I do believe that police officers are needed on more of the trains. I guess I’m just not used to being in the South.

By Truck Man

November 8, 2005 02:14 PM | Link to this

I am not giving up the comfort of my vehicle to ride on a smelly nasty bus or train and sit next to someone who looks like they’d kill me for a quarter. Face it, 90% of the people on the bus ride the bus for one reason, and one reason only, they can’t afford a vehicle. All these excuses of ” why I ride MARTA” all boil down to one thing: NO GOOD LINE OF CREDIT.

By Melvin Raines II

November 8, 2005 02:28 PM | Link to this

Will someone please forward these comments to Nathaniel P. Ford, CEO of Marta? custserv@itsmarta.com. Thank you.

By HubbaBubba

November 8, 2005 02:30 PM | Link to this

I drove from Lawrenceville to Doraville for about three years because I chose to ride Marta downtown instead of driving and paying for parking. When Gwinnett Transit (which is NOT a joke, by the way) started, I began to ride the bus. I had not ridden Marta in a long time until one Saturday when my office was working OT. I got to Doraville at 7:30 and did not get to Five Points until well past 9:30 because of equipment delays. People trying to go to the airport were furious. I wish Gwinnett Transit ran on those Saturdays that I have to work, and you’d better be sure that I’ll drive downtown before trying Marta again. Gwinnett Transit isn’t perfect, but it stays pretty close on schedule, especially now that the Discover Mills route is running every 10 minutes. As for my safety on Marta, I never was confronted with anything other than panhandling, but I have moved from one car to another plenty of times because of the behavior of some of the riders. When I’ve been in DC, I rode the Metro. I rode the train when I was in Chicago. I rode the train in LA, but it’s scarier than Marta, so I only rode it once. Seems to me that Marta would look at what some of the other heavy-rail systems do and try to learn from them!

By B K

November 8, 2005 02:30 PM | Link to this

Working in Buckhead for a Major Corporation that pushes using MARTA, I tried it 1 time. It takes me 45 min - 1 hour to drive in traffic. Marta took 2 1/2 hours each way. Living in Northern Coweta County, I had to drive to Palmetto which is not that big of a deal (10 min). I sat and waited on a bus for 15 minutes(after the time the schedule said it would be there) and then waited for another 15 minutes for what they called a layover to keep the schedule correct. We then drove to the College Park Train Station, stopping every 15 ft to pick someone up. Once I got to the Train I swapped once to the north line to Lenox and then took a shuttle to Lenox Park. I worked through lunch to leave early. Bring this to a grand total of 8 hours of work & 5 hours on MARTA. Black or white makes NO difference. MARTA SUCKS !

By Melvin Raines II

November 8, 2005 02:34 PM | Link to this

Will someone please forward these comments to Nathaniel P. Ford, CEO of Marta? custserv@itsmarta.com. Thank you.

By GirlwithAWorkEthic

November 8, 2005 02:35 PM | Link to this

Lyle,

In this country, you become a second class citizen by choice. In this country you can study and work with no money and no “class” requirement — IF YOU MAKE THAT CHOICE. If you work hard, you can buy yourself a transortation choice. I speak as a second generation American whose parents had no education and certainly no money but a hell of a work ethic. It’s amazing what the latter can buy you in this country.

By Dale

November 8, 2005 02:43 PM | Link to this

Lyle—

You are correct—MARTA is all about race.

White people are terrified of riding Marta. Until Marta resolves that issue—and it is Marta’s problem—white folks are not going to take public transportation.

By Raquel Johnson

November 8, 2005 02:47 PM | Link to this

I like MARTA but feel it is a very limited. If more lines and bus routes were added more people would use MARTA. I am one of the many transplants from NYC. I have lived in Atlanta for 13 years. I find it ridiculous to take a train from Decatur in to the city of Atlanta then transfer to a North bound train just to get to Doraville. When a train line could be added from Indian creek headed north. I respect the phrase if its not broke don’t fix it. However, this is broke. The congestion would decrease significantly if MARTA expanded. Atlanta has truly grown and with growth comes change. MARTA Expansion is the key.

By James McCoy

November 8, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this

Ihave read all 60 comments on this board and have come away depress as hell. People have more lame excuses then”Carter” has liver pills. I ride the buses and trains and don’t fear a soul,maybe thats because I don’t wear my feeling on my shoulders. If someone is rude or is disruptive to me,I’ll check them right then and now. But if you are a regular viewer of the 6pm news then you might already have a preconcieved notion about certain people.

By hmmmm

November 8, 2005 02:55 PM | Link to this

I don’t think ‘terrified’ is an accurate description. I think that ‘loathe to bear the hate-whitey culture’ is more accurate. It’s not just MARTA, it’s Atlanta in general. Symphony concerts have plenty of empty seats because of it, and Atlanta has one of the finest Symphony Orchestras in the world. Cultural events across the board lose patronage due to it. Safety issues aside, it’s unpleasant to feel hated due to race, and that keeps people away. Ironic, isn’t it? Just the same, I’m ready for my lessons in supposed multiculturalism to end!

By MARTIN

November 8, 2005 03:00 PM | Link to this

Marta is a great concept but because of politics, it doesn’t work. The train stations are not convienetly located. There is definitely not enough parking (instead of parking decks at Piedmont Park, why not at the train stations?) The buses run too infrequently, the time it takes on public transportation is no quicker than driving and sitting in traffic.

Cobb, Gwinnett and Clayton need to get over themselves and allow Marta to handle transportation for the Metro area. No we did not ask for or expect this traffic but it is here and it will get worse. Buses do not work because most people do not like riding buses; they are too slow and make too many stops. That is why no one likes to drive behind them either.

The only way a public transportation system will work in Atlanta is if it mirrors the interstate with express and local train service, frequent schedules, lots of advertising and emphasizing that it will be safe. They would have to end at all the suburban malls (Arbor Place, Mall of Georgia, Southlake, Towns Center, etc.) Light rail would not be great either because it would be like riding the bus without the drivers tailgating it.

Tax breaks could be given to businesses who build their offices close enough for workers to walk to the train station to encourage less cars on the roads. One reason why public transportation works so well in the northern cities (Chicago, New York, DC and Boston) is because they are funded by the state. See the northern states realize that the large urban cities brings money into their state and most people rally behind it to support it. Even if they do not like it or want it “in their backyard� they realize it is necessary for quality of life purposes. In Atlanta there is so much segregation and prejudice between the city, metro, suburbs and rural Georgia, it is a wonder that anything works. Race and class definitely are at the base of the problem, injustice and inequities.

And to think, we are seriously considering light rail systems to bring people in from Athens, Tennessee and Macon but I can’t get from Gwinnett to Cobb county in less than an hour and a half.

By GirlwithAWorkEthic

November 8, 2005 03:03 PM | Link to this

I often wonder how long the “revenge stage” of racial relations in Atlanta will last. It would definitely help MARTA.

By Blue Flyer

November 8, 2005 03:03 PM | Link to this

I just recently started riding Marta (Blue Flyer) since I change jobs. I am at GSU now and there is no way that I am paying $55/month parking, $40/wk gas and put up with the aggrivation of driving downtown. I get on the bus and read or sleep. I only use my car on the weekends. So if I have to put up with the occasional idiot ( I am black too), I can handle it. Marta has a long way to go before it is as good as NYC (I am from the Bronx), but it beats driving.

By Dale

November 8, 2005 03:14 PM | Link to this

James and hmmmm—-If you were an attractive, petite blonde haired blue-eyed female, would you go the West End station to take a 9:00 PM train downtown to Five Points to go a club? Get real dudes—it ain’t safe for white folk on Marta. Until Marta admits it and deals with it—Whitey will keep on driving.

By SHA

November 8, 2005 03:20 PM | Link to this

“hmmmmm” i have to agree with you on the Cultural issue we encounter in Atlanta. Many African-Americans and European-American tend to segregate themselves. Being from Long Island, I was expose to different cultures and enjoyed the diversity. Once you reside in a southern state, you begin to notice that the racial barriers are still up and standing in politics and Communities. I still feel uncomfortable riding Marta not due to “other black people”…its due to southern ignorance and lack of training….from ghetto youths and from red-neck thinking people that fear someone thats different than them. Atlanta has a long journey.

By suburbanite101

November 8, 2005 03:24 PM | Link to this

I am a white male who lives in the suburbs. I can attest to the fact that I will never ride MARTA. Why? I have places to go and money to make. Or is that the point of MARTA? If one cannot get where they are trying to go, maybe they want use the system. And if the system is not used, the governing body does not have to do anything. And if they do not have to do anything, then maybe they can use it in their politics. Isn’t ATL just grand. Maybe we can write a song for MARTA also. That should attract more business. Yes, lets spend a couple of millions dollars on a song for MARTA.

By Kenya Berry

November 8, 2005 03:25 PM | Link to this

I tried to choose MARTA a few times. With me working right downtown near the five points station and living only three miles away, it seemed sensible to leave the car at home. But every time I got on MARTA I was met with rudeness and other unpleasantness. The drivers were rude and unhelpful; one suggested I walk when I asked him which bus to take; another rudely told me I was on the bus going the wrong direction but would not give me anything to use to get on the right side without paying again (At five points, the same number bus going different directions stops on two different streets! I found this out after I asked a driver if I was at the right stop and he said yes, only I found out 45 minutes later that I wasn’t). Waiting for the bus one day while 8 months pregnant, I sat on a little wall—there were no benches— only to have a MARTA cop come and tell me “You can’t sit there!” Throw in crude passengers, buses running off schedule, beggars, locked restrooms and inconvenient locations and you have the total package. Now, even though the bus stops in front of my house, you can bet I won’t be on it unless my car is down.

By Cheryl Strayer

November 8, 2005 03:28 PM | Link to this

I ride MARTA every day, not because I have to, but because I choose to. I live in Fayetteville and work in Dunwoody. I have driven on occasion and sometimes it’s faster than MARTA, but most of the time it’s not. I say a thank you to MARTA every time I look out the window and see I-85 or GA 400 at a standstill while I move on past. While I have noticed that the majority of riders are black and are all ages, I think MARTA’s routes may have more to do with who rides than anything. There aren’t many MARTA stations in predominantly white areas.
I have witnessed young black men give up their seats to women (race is not a factor) on a regular basis. Only once was I offended by a rider. He was playing loud, foul-languaged rap music. Although everyone in my MARTA train car gave him ugly looks, none of us said anything (why was that? was he that scary?) but he didn’t turn it down.
I think if more people gave MARTA a chance, they’d be willing to use it more often.

By Phil

November 8, 2005 03:55 PM | Link to this

I think the clearest indication of why Marta has so many problems, in addition to the lavish Christmas parties and other such perks, are set out in the blogs above. Until such time as it makes a serious effort to address all of the problems so identified, it will never acheive what it might. I rode Marta between Arts Center and North Springs for two straight weeks about two months ago. The North Springs teain was delayed up to :42, five (5) times each of those weeks, or a 50% on-time acheivement. Why would I want to ride something so inept? Here’s a clue, if you fix it, they will come.

By pat

November 8, 2005 04:08 PM | Link to this

I commute daily on MARTA. Overall, I am satisfied, but I get grumpy by Wednesday. I accept the unconscious employees who don’t give you the time of day, the smelly and dirty trains, the occasional delays, false starts and bad communication systems. Right now, I am totally disgusted with the filth in the stations and parking lots. Cigarette butts and spit leading up to the turnstiles at the Doraville Station make me sick. Five Points and surrounding area make me feel like bathing after walking through. I wish the city (ATL) would clean itself up once in a while and MARTA would do some industrial vacuming and pressure washing in parking lots and station entrances. I am also very aware of being hated on MARTA and Atlanta in general. I’ve even had the distinction of being called the blue eyed devil at 5 points. I am truly looking forward to the day I do not have to return to this city for anything. I used to like cities, but have been here too long, i guess.

By Lyle V. Harris

November 8, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this

After all the comments we’ve been getting, I hope MARTA is listening to what everyone’s saying. I called MARTA General Manager Nat Ford’s office office and suggested that they tune in. But it shouldn’t stop there. The Governor’s office, which has been tone deaf on this issue, needs to plug into this conversation too. Ditto for the state Department of Transportation which still thinks it’s sole job is to just keep building more roads. I’ve got numbers and e-mails for all these folks if you need ‘em…

By Dale

November 8, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this

Liz at Perimeter Transportation Coalition—Please make an appointment to visit with the general manager of Marta to discuss each and everyone of the posts in this blog and ways to resolve the real life experiences described about riding Marta. For every one compliment, there must be at least 10 complaints. Please help Marta management wakeup and fix their problems—then you will not have to bribe people with gift cards to ride it. Sorry to be so blunt, but somebody needs to get real about Marta’s problems.

By Rthom

November 8, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this

Just this weekend I made my last trip on MARTA. What A joke. Took the train from College Park to North Ave for the Tech Game.Waited nearly 1 hour for the train to arrive, then had to put up with what I guess were homeless people sprawled out on seats.When they were asked to move we had to put up with foul language and threats.Thank goodness no kids were close by.Trip back was even worse.Another 45 min wait,a jammed train and more foul language than from a boat load of sailors. Last year I had pretty much the same experience on a trip to Music Midtown. Last year I figured it was just a bad night,but 2 for 2. I’m through.I used Washington’s train several months ago and had the best experience ever. The employee’s were helpful and friendly,trains were clean, and no harassments.The only oroblem was finding the stations.

By Sympathetic

November 8, 2005 04:12 PM | Link to this

After reading all of the comments today I am appalled. First, I think the comment section needs a Spelling and Grammar check. Second, as far as Marta being racist, possibly true but I’d take Marta being racist against me any day rather than Corporate America. Get a life and stay in your cars!

By D.A.D.

November 8, 2005 04:16 PM | Link to this

I have ridden MARTA to the City for sporting events. Last time I rode, there was no air in the car. I dealt with it. Other folks on the train believed that the lack of air was “racist.” I just don’t get that. My last ride was convenient even if it was not totally pleasant. I would like someone at MARTA to explain why I can take the train straight from the ‘burbs to a hockey game but I can’t do the same for baseball. Stupid.

By Natasha

November 8, 2005 04:17 PM | Link to this

It appears that my last post has been removed as well.

For the record, the post about “solutions to MARTA problems” was not authored by me.

I am, however, the author of the one immediately preceding it referencing various cultural activities in Atlanta (and also stating that I am neither homeless or part of a hip hop gang).

By Rich

November 8, 2005 04:17 PM | Link to this

Kindof funny to read much of this. I’m White, live on the east side of Atlanta and have never had any real problems with the rail service, except for sometimes long transfer times at Five Points and the unpredictable waits at the Airport. When I need a train, it’s usually on schedule. The real problem is the lack of frequent bus service and the lack of easy transfer mechanisms for infrequent riders. I’m usually a minority at the station and on the train (or bus) and frankly that’s not the end of the world, although it seems to be for a lot of peopl here. It probably helps that I’ve lived in other cities and overseas. I used to take the “L” to the near South Side of Chicago everyday. I remember the NYC subways from the bad old days of the 70s. Chicago is an object lesson of how a useful system can get used when neighborhoods gentrify. The NYC system is much better than 20 years ago—partly because crime declined in New York, but also because the transit system got competent management.

Yes, you have panhandlers in Decatur (and outside Five Points) and you won’t meet the social register on rail or the bus, but I can’t say much about the behavior of Atlanta drivers (only in Texas have I experienced worse). Sure, people who work for Marta often aren’t service oriented, but that’s par for Atlanta. I’ve lived all over the Eastern half of the US and traveled to every state except Alaska, and this is a place where service generally sucks.

Both Marta and the businesses around its stations of have done a terrible job of promoting the use of Marta. For example, with better planning, Marta would be an asset to people staying at Perimeter Mall area hotels. I’m sure many people who’ve lived here for decades don’t realize they can go to Lenox on Marta. Marta is able to deliver a minimal level of service and the rail isn’t bad—-they probably need to take the board members’ parking passes away from them and give them a transit pass instead.

Regionalizing would help, but it won’t happen. For all the supposed dynamism of the economy here, the various jurisdictions here are run in very parochial ways by long entrenched interests which are more ready to support highways and sprawl rather than transit. Development interests have bought off most of these people ages ago.

Transit will make the beltline really transform Atlanta into something other than the second class city it is otherwise (at best) destined to be. You need an alternative to cars and the density needed to provide a real urban environment rather than a pseudo-one like Atlantic Station or Brewer’s little subdivision. Density is the only way that transit can come close to paying for itself. We will have more oil shocks in the future and driving an SUV from Suwanee to Sandy Springs everyday will no longer make sense, not