Atlanta Forward readers responded to my recent column reporting on a meeting between the state’s MARTA oversight committee (MARTOC) and transit authority officials. One legislator argued in favor of charging a distance-based fare, instead of the current flat fee for trips on the system. Here are some select comments:
Brian: How about an article studying Boston, Washington D.C. and Chicago and comparing them to MARTA? D.C. I think is the only one doing distance-based fares. Why? How are those three systems wildly successful and MARTA not so much?
Road scholar: MARTA has been collecting data on a mileage based system for years. Why do you think they make you swipe your card when you enter and exit a station?
BHG: Brian, from my experience in D.C., the transportation system has more frequent trains, runs longer hours, and, most importantly, takes people from where they are to where they want to go. It seemed like no matter where I was in the D.C. area, there was a train station just a few blocks away. Even in the 'burbs, it was at most a short drive or bike ride. My biggest gripe with MARTA right now is that, for someone living in Alpharetta/Johns Creek, it's not a short trip to the nearest station or even bus stop. If I'm driving that far already, I might as well just keep on going to my destination. And if I plan on staying out late, forget about taking a train back home. Of course, the solution to those problems requires will and budget, both of which seem to be in short supply around here.
Glad to be gone from Georgia: The fact is the reprogramming of the fare system to provide a distance-based fare structure is very costly because it is a proprietary system. Combine that cost with the trips and fares lost due to the increased fares for patrons traveling greater distances, and the envisioned extra revenue doesn't materialize. Sen. Millar should stick to things he knows about or understands. Not sure what that is, but it ain't MARTA.
Sawb: The state of Georgia should assume the funding responsibilities for MARTA and place it under the control of GRTA making it part of a larger regional transit authority, or get out of the way. I agree all organizations need effective oversight, but it seems a properly formatted board representing the local municipalities that actually fund the authority would be more effective and eliminate another needless layer of government. Also, MARTA should aggressively pursue real opportunities to outsource as many functions as possible to the private sector.
Mangler: Setting up a Facebook and Twitter page would be free and require minimal maintenance. Anyone who follows or likes MARTA would get any relevant updates on closures, delays, cameras, whatever. Just my two advertising cents. How much would a few "like us" signs on the waiting platforms cost? Less than a commercial on a radio station that we'll just flip channels from.
