Each week CityLife Opinions asks readers to comment on a topic in the news. This week we feature more responses to this question:

Would you take a train from Atlanta to Marietta? Would you take a train from Atlanta to Athens?

Background: Transportation planners are again talking commuter rail to Athens, the so-called "brain train," because of a new funding idea. In addition, a second commuter line has been proposed that would run through the Marietta area and on to Cartersville. ("Marietta rail hopes gain steam," AJC Metro, April 11.)

The new funding source, which would help build and operate both commuter lines, is a rail line that the state already owns. The state-owned line generates about $6 million to $7 million a year in lease payments from CSX railroad. Leveraged correctly, that money could fill budget gaps that have bedeviled rail transit advocates, supporters say. The money currently goes to the state, so the Legislature would have to vote to give it up.

(Editor's note: Only one reader wrote in opposition to the rail lines. That letter is included.)

Train super idea for work week

I would take a train in a heartbeat —- five days a week, two times per day.

I would give my first-born child to be able to do so (but she's 38, so I'm not sure anyone would really want her!).

LINDA McMICHAEL

Atlanta

A great outing for grandchildren

I take MARTA every day to my job at Georgia State University from my home a mile from Emory.

I have two grandchildren and a son and daughter-in-law in Lawrenceville. I have a daughter and son-in-law in Athens.

No-brainer!

I look forward to my visits in the future to my family and the visits of family, especially grandchildren, with me in Atlanta. Imagine, the Lawrenceville children going to Athens to pick up the much younger grandchildren and then all of them coming to Atlanta to visit the grands! What an outing!

MARYANNE F. GAUNT

Atlanta

Trains could mean fewer cars on roads

Commuter rail seems like a great option. And, having commuter rail supported by light rail along other arterial streets could eventually make living in the region possible without a car.

If state money could be used to extend the hours of MARTA and the frequency of the trains, the system could improve the perception of dependability, especially for those seeking to use it for an evening out on the town.

JEREMY WILHELM

Atlanta

Gas prices, traffic could drive trains

More options for travel is always a great idea. However, I think that driving a car is so ingrained in many people that even if it were cheaper and faster, many would continue to make the drive. It would take something like very expensive gas or horrible traffic to really start to turn things around ... oh wait, never mind.

VERNON CAMP

Atlanta

Train a bad idea

No way would I take such a train. In fact, I oppose the creation of such a rail line.

JOHN BURDELL

Smyrna

Make sure it's fast

I would love to take a train to Atlanta. Especially a fast train. And it would be great for the trains to be double-tracked. That way you could have an express with a couple of stops between Cartersville and Atlanta and a local train with a lot of stops.

It would be nice if the train would have stops in the various towns and also the shopping areas. Town Center comes to mind as a great shopping stop. Once in Atlanta, you could go to Buckhead, Midtown and downtown.

I remember when MARTA started and was called the train that went from "nowhere to nowhere."

It took a long time to get the north-south line, and it is just slow. It takes me more than an hour to go to the airport from the north stations.

This train [Cobb-Atlanta] should have been completed 30 years ago.

Put me down for a "Yes." Yes to Atlanta and Yes to Cartersville.

Keep pressing for this and maybe you can get it done.

JIM HUGHES

Cobb

Train is way to go; no drawbacks

I'm a resident of Cartersville and I wholeheartedly support a light-rail train between here and Atlanta.

Pros:

> Less traffic on the I-75 corridor

> Fuel savings

> Reduction of emissions resulting in healthier air for all

> Employees could actually get to work on time, and home at a reasonable time if they didn't have to factor in the variables of interstate traffic

> Less city street congestion

> Less vehicle wear and tear

Cons:

> Can't think of a one!

KAREN PERDUE

Cartersville

In a word, from a native: Yes!

Yes, Yes, Yes!

I was born in Atlanta, rode the old street car and the electric trolley as early as 8 years old, and, outside of that, I walked everywhere in West End and in Brookhaven.

I now go to Georgia State University, to Georgia Conservancy conferences and to many entertainment events and other important meetings.

Parking is always a problem unless I drive to Perimeter Mall and park in the MARTA station parking area.

I can't believe how Georgia government leadership is failing us in regard to mass transit.

I voted for the one-penny tax for the MARTA line to come to Cobb. Of course, the county turned it down.

The [Cobb County Transit] has improved somewhat, but still is most of the time not an option for me.

ELEANOR CRISLER BABCOCK

Kennesaw

Train ideal for shopping, baseball

Yes, I would take a train!

In my perfect world, I would take a train from Town Center in Kennesaw to Atlantic Station for shopping.

My next stop would be to CNN Center, where I could go to entertainment or sporting events or to Centennial Park. And finally, I would want to ride to Turner Field to see the Braves.

I would certainly go to more Braves games if I didn't have to drive.

GINGER THOMPSON