Marta may not be perfect but it get the job done for some of us. (Atlanta: how much, transfer)

[Atlwarrior]

Although Marta has its flaws, like not having the restrooms open at each station, and the escalator at Peacthree Center Station library side being shut down for like the third year. The system really does have an impeccable saftey record. Also Marta idea was its expansion to the airport. For Instance JFK to Manhattan is not as convient, as well as Dallas Fort Worth to Downtown Dallas is a major hassle. If not through the TSPLOST tax, I do hope Marta obtain additonal funding to renovate stations and even expand futher in Dekalb and Fulton county.

[Mgyeldell]

That is what I tell everyone MARTA may not be perfect but it gets the freaking job done.

[tonygeorgia]

Yeah, I thought marta was garbage until I travel to other cities and have to find transportation to get downtown

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Atlwarrior

Although Marta has its flaws, like not having the restrooms open at each station, ....

The restroom issue isn't something MARTA just forgot to do. They had to close them because people were wrecking them.

[cqholt]

Although Marta has its flaws, like not having the restrooms open at each station, and the escalator at Peacthree Center Station library side being shut down for like the third year. The system really does have an impeccable saftey record. Also Marta idea was its expansion to the airport. For Instance JFK to Manhattan is not as convient, as well as Dallas Fort Worth to Downtown Dallas is a major hassle. If not through the TSPLOST tax, I do hope Marta obtain additonal funding to renovate stations and even expand futher in Dekalb and Fulton county.

The restroom thing is from Homeland Security. Restrooms are available at all terminal and transfer stations, eg: Five Points, Lindbergh, Indian Creek, Edgewood-Candler Park.
compare MARTA's safety record to that of WMATA, we have not had any derailments in years.
The convenience to the airport is unbeatable. 30-45 minutes from the farthest stations.
Transferring is not bad, its something that everyone at all other systems do.
MARTA does a great job with its resources and the size of the systems. Its the #5 most use HRT system in the country, while being the largest mass transit system with 0 state funding.

[BlindAlleyKat]

I took Marta, both the bus and the rail, for three years. It was absolute hell. Fights, puking (a lot of drunks take the bus), breaking down and sitting on the side of the road or in the rail car for HOURS, waiting for rails and busses that never showed up (and you have no way of knowing when the next one will show up), not to mention it taking FOREVER to get anywhere; I wont even mention dealing with all the disgusting people. NEVER AGAIN. I was driving on the 285 W a few months ago when they had to shut down the entire highway and I didn't even mind sitting there for two hours. That is no problem after what I went through taking Marta. I'm sure there are other systems in other places that are worse, but Marta still sucks.

[Box]

I would be willing to pay a higher price to keep riding Marta for the sheer entertainment value. Dudes screaming about the bible, off brand soulja girls, and that one obviously nervous suburbanite who is on the marta train for the first time have done well over the years to keep me entertained.

[westau]

It might work well for you, but it is completely useless for about 90% of us.

[cqholt]

It might work well for you, but it is completely useless for about 90% of us.

Until you want to go to the airport or downtown for an event. Don't get on here and bash MARTA, we do not bash your decision to drive a car everywhere. We all have our choices.

Fights, puking (a lot of drunks take the bus), breaking down and sitting on the side of the road or in the rail car for HOURS, waiting for rails and busses that never showed up (and you have no way of knowing when the next one will show up)

Been riding MARTA for over 2 years and have never seen this anytime of the day. MARTA has email blasts to notify people of issues on buses or trains so commuters can have a heads up.

I was driving on the 285 W a few months ago when they had to shut down the entire highway and I didn't even mind sitting there for two hours.

Good I hope you enjoyed me laughing at you as I zoomed over 285 on the train. That event shows that 1 freeway getting shut down will cause hell for Atlanta. There were people that never showed up to my office that day, just turned around and worked from home.

and that one obviously nervous suburbanite who is on the marta train for the first time

That person is always the funniest. Sitting there having a death-grip on their luggage looking at everyone as though we all are criminals out to get the clothes in their luggage.

[Fritz99]

I just got back from a trip to Washington DC and rode their train system. I actually came back with a greater appreciation for Marta. While their system is much more comprehensive in coverage, I found it most confusing. It is definitely not for the casual rider. My entire party of 12 must have spent 20 minutes trying to figure this out how to pay. I like Marta's simple 1 fee system as opposed to trying to figure out how much to pay based on destination. Or whether I should ride the green line, orange line, purple line, fuschia line etc... I also thought Marta was cleaner in comparison. I don't understand the bashing of Marta. Now granted I do not want to ride Marta or any other train system after dark, but I don't get on fearing for my life. I only ride for special events though. Actually as someone mentioned earlier, the characters I have encountered on Marta are quite interesting and amusing in some cases.