A possible theory on transit (Atlanta: living, military, vs)

[glovenyc]

Originally Posted by Columbia Scientist

Atlanta and the rest the south just hasn't had the need nor the want to invest in public transit. The use of public transit in the south is associated with class. It has much less to do with war and more to do with class perception, again in the southern US. I suggest to my coworkers to use MARTA when going into Atlanta's city center and they often counter with horror stories. Public transit has to be looked at differently. It should be looked at from more a accessibility point of view. Transit allows people to move. It allows people to get to work and school when they can't get a personal vehicle. If Atlanta's road system weren't so underwhelming it could maybe get away with having the limitations MARTA has. But public transit accessibility is lacking, housing is getting incredibly expensive, AND the road system does not move people efficiently. Atlanta wants to be world class. It needs to start investing like it is.

...and you sir/ma'am are today's MVP! This is pretty much it in a nutshell. Public transit in the south is associated with class, and that's why some felt and still feels it's not worthy of some real investment. I've had the same conversation with co-workers about MARTA horror stories of a bunch of teenagers coming from school talking loudly (gasp) or actually being within 10 foot of a "homeless looking person" (double-gasp).

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Columbia Scientist

Atlanta and the rest the south just hasn't had the need nor the want to invest in public transit.

Just to be clear, DeKalb and Fulton have invested billions in public transit over the last half century.

[cqholt]

What does moving the armed military to defend the country have anything to do with moving citizens during peace time. Also, we have planes, so the military personal and equipment would be flown.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Maybe the independence thing is tied in with convenience. Let's say you took MARTA somewhere and made all the connections, etc.

What if you had to be somewhere else fast? Say you're at work and a customer says I need you to meet me at the job site right now. Or your kid get sick or hurt. Or an old friend comes into town and wants you to meet him for a beer after work?

Things come up.

1) In rush hour traffic, no one is getting anywhere fast.
2) If you have a job where you need to drive to meet clients and their is no company car, then transit is not an option and that is not your fault. But for the other 90%, that is not the case.
3) Georgia Commute Options has a program Guaranteed Ride Home | Resources: Ridematching, Guaranteed Ride Home and Transit Route Info | Make It Easier | Save Your Commute | Georgia Commute Options
4) You should not be drinking and driving, but could ask the friend to meet you for a drink near your work or one of the many major employment centers that are served by MARTA and have restaurant options (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Perimeter Center, Lindbergh)

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

What does moving the armed military to defend the country have anything to do with moving citizens during peace time. Also, we have planes, so the military personal and equipment would be flown.

I'm suggesting the perception of freedom and mobility may have something to do with attitudes toward transit, cq. People may feel more capable when they can go wherever they need to and travel on their schedule.

As a matter of practicality, public transit could be a good option in times of war. Say you wanted to defend Buckhead. You could fly your troops into Hartsfield and deploy them via the red and gold lines.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by arjay57

as a matter of practicality, public transit could be a good option in times of war. Say you wanted to defend buckhead. You could fly your troops into hartsfield and deploy them via the red and gold lines.

:d

[DJDeadParrot]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I'm suggesting the perception of freedom and mobility may have something to do with attitudes toward transit

No, you were suggesting that the military would be hampered if their only options were buses and trains. Talk about straw man arguments; literally nobody has made any suggestion that even remotely comes close to such a patently absurd.

How do you even come up with something so preposterous?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by DJDeadParrot

No, you were suggesting that the military would be hampered if their only options were buses and trains. Talk about straw man arguments; literally nobody has made any suggestion that even remotely comes close to such a patently absurd.

How do you even come up with something so preposterous?

You are missing my point and I apologize for being unclear.

What I said was:

"Obviously I’m not suggesting we’re about to have a war, but it may be an element of human nature to want to be prepared, capable and independent. So this could subtly (or even subconsciously) affect people’s attitudes."

[DJDeadParrot]

Originally Posted by arjay57

"Obviously I’m not suggesting we’re about to have a war, but it may be an element of human nature to want to be prepared, capable and independent. So this could subtly (or even subconsciously) affect people’s attitudes."

You framed your original question within the context of a hypothetical war.

Honestly, you've made much better rhetorical arguments in favor of personal independence via the automobile. This was not one of them.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by DJDeadParrot

You framed your original question within the context of a hypothetical war.

Honestly, you've made much better rhetorical arguments in favor of personal independence via the automobile. This was not one of them.

Well, the war analogy came to mind because I happened to be watching a documentary where they were talking about the critical nature of maneuverability and the ability to quickly make adjustments to conditions.

But, yeah, the same would be true in other contexts. I'm suggesting that there is something in human nature that makes us want to be prepared, capable and independent. It may go back to our earliest days when we were prey for other creatures.

And if so, those primal feelings could have a bearing on our attitudes toward mass transit vs being masters of our own destiny. I've talked to a lot of people who say they prefer to just get up and go on their own schedule, choose their own route, buzz through a drive-thru, haul a bunch of stuff, etc.