Who thinks the MARTA should be expanded to include Cobb,Gwinnett, and the other metro Atlanta counties? (Sandy Springs: transplants)

[JPD]

We were given a federal grant for the Lovejoy commuter line and our backwards looking reps managed to **** it away. You can't blame the feds on this one.

You could use the Alaska argument in any state, but other states or cities manage to have better transit. Just because they have a small population doesn't mean they don't need roads and infrastructure. That stuff is expensive, so per person Alaska APPEARS to be getting more than everyone else, but the only alternative is to tax them at a rate nobody could possibly afford, nor be willing to stand for. You can't blame Alaska.

The problem is GA politicians.

[xxman777]

Originally Posted by JPD

The problem is GA politicians.

I agree 100%

[south-to-west]

Originally Posted by xxman777

You are absolutely correct that the Atlanta metro area isn't dense enough to benefit a large portion of population. However, a big part of the reason Atlanta isn't dense enough is because there is no transit. It is much harder to build density without transit; the best way to do it is to expand transit and then build transit oriented development to compliment the transit. If we keep with the mindset that the region isn't dense enough so we should just give up, Atlanta will just keep spreading out and traffic and air pollution will just get worse.

...I think the fact that transit in Atlanta doesn't get any state funding shows how anti-transit the state of Georgia really is.

I love Atlanta. I think it's an awesome city, with great people, and a very progressive and economically robust atmosphere. But if the transit issue is not properly addressed, then this city will suffer. It saddens me to think that it is likely that I will move elsewhere just from the negative impact that traffic here has on the quality of life. Even more sadly, I'm quite sure that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

[momanatl]

Originally Posted by JPD

Is Denver getting state funding for this project? We don't have that here. That's why nothing ever improves.

Thank you!

[katches]

Here in Powder Springs we have a park ride with the CCT. Here is a web address where you can get more information. COBBDOT.ORG

The service is working out for "many" who live here. So much so that there is a new lot being built to facilitate better parking conditions. Right now they are using a lot off of Florence Road where a there is a Silver Comet rest stop.

On my street alone I have been told by a reliable source there are at least 5-6 people using the CCT.

In my humble opinion public transportation is already on it's way. There is no time to debate over what will happen. It might help however to let our government officials know the concerns over safety and property issues. At least this kind of action may work to making public transit in our towns a "livable" experience.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by katches

Here in Powder Springs we have a park ride with the CCT. Here is a web address where you can get more information. COBBDOT.ORG

.

It is route 470, run by the Georgia Regional Transit Agency overall, but CCT uses their buses for this particular route: Route 470 (broken link)

Also see their system map for all express routes: Xpress System Map (broken link)

You should note though, that various Powder Springs leaders are extremely opposed to a regular curb-to-curb bus service in Powder Springs. They also don't allow developers to build apartments within the city limits, as well. They feel that this steers away renters, carless people, and congestion. You can take it as a positive OR a negative thing depending on who you are. But I live in Powder Springs and have heard the comments from folks at City Hall myself.

[pirate_lafitte]

We already have congestion. Almost everyone drives cars in Atlanta. That is congestion right there. As for apartments, there are shady people who tend to live in apartments. With that said, I used to live with my parents in a house and we had a next door neighbor who's son did drugs and eventually broke the law and went to jail. There are shday people and criminals that live in houses. When I lived in a subdivision, there was some vandalism(some, not alot, but it did happen) and there were even people who broke into homes and stole things(and not just in my subdivision). And in subdivisions, most persons don't know their neighbors, therefore, crime could flourish worse because it happens under the radar.

As for Powder Springs politics, keeping transit out doesn't work because it is my experience on CCT(and MARTA) that there are less criminals on the buses(I have never seen a crime committed on a bus ir train) than in other places. Most of the criminals I know about use cars to get around(possibly stolent ones). My guess is that the politicians don't care about the people who don't have cars, but want to work and not be lazy because most people who need jobs also need ways to get to those jobs. During the 1980's, the building boom started and many persons who arrived in Atlanta to help out found they couldn't get to their jobs because most of the jobs were outside of the Perimeter and many persons didn't have cars(I read this in National Geographic July 1988, Atlanta On The Rise) and MARTA(an overrated transit system) only went to two counties and most places where the boom happened didn't want MARTA because of the attitude towards the poor. Talk about harshness towards the poor.

[NYLATINQT]

Transportation in most US cities are pretty unreliable. The US is light years away in terms of public transportation compared to Europe, Latin America, Asia, you name it. For a country as rich & developed as ours, there is no excuse for not having good reliable transportation so that people don't have to be so dependent on their vehicles.
Here's a funny story. My husband is from egypt and somebody at work asked him if they have cars there (really stupid comment obviously) and he laughed and said, "are you kidding me? We have an underground subway system up to par with France's, and much better than MARTA in Atlanta!" Now come on Atlanta, let's step it up. It's about time if you want to really be a major metropolitan city.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by NYLATINQT

Transportation in most US cities are pretty unreliable. The US is light years away in terms of public transportation compared to Europe, Latin America, Asia, you name it. For a country as rich & developed as ours, there is no excuse for not having good reliable transportation so that people don't have to be so dependent on their vehicles.

We also have a health care system that is FAR down the list compared to other countries as well. But that's another topic.

It's funny because so many people here tout about the "freedoms" we have, yet, as has been stated, in terms of transit options, health care, etc., you really have to wonder if our quality of life really IS better than many other countries, or are we still thinking about the America from the 1950s instead? Things have changed since then.

It's time to re-evaluate our priorities.

[gt6974a]

NYLATINQT and atlantagreg30127

Again, lets not make this personal but y'all are steering the thread towards politics. I'll repeat (as atlantagreg has pointed out) that most people in these outlining areas knew what they were getting into when they moved there, several people did move there when it was 'mayberry', and they don't want to be forced into paying for something they don't want and/or use.

If y'all are going to take pot shots then lets call a spade a spade. Most of the European countries would be under Nazi rule and they'd have Autobahns(aka Freeways) running everywhere. If it wasn't for the US's demand for oil, the middle east wouldn't have a pot to **** in.

I could address healthcare as well as unemployment rates in Europe and the middle east but this thread is about transportation.