Why there is no Marta in Cobb or Gwinnett (Alpharetta: real estate, leases)

[cparker73]

Taylor Swift took Atlanta by storm. And MARTA was ‘ready for it’

Nearly 140,000 people rode the rails into downtown Atlanta over a jam-packed weekend that brought hoards of bejeweled music fans streaming into the city, according to ridership figures released by MARTA. That’s more than three times the number the transit authority sees in a typical weekend, without any special events, at its four downtown rail stations

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by cparker73

Taylor Swift took Atlanta by storm. And MARTA was ‘ready for it’

This might be the highest ridership day since the pandemic.

[cparker73]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

This might be the highest ridership day since the pandemic.

The story said that one of largest days in MARTA ridership in recent history was for the 2019 Super Bowl with 270,000 riders. Let's hope they can get most of The Gulch done and complete the renovations to the Five Points station in time for the World Cup, which will probably be like holding the Super Bowl every weekend for a month.

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by cparker73

The story said that one of largest days in MARTA ridership in recent history was for the 2019 Super Bowl with 270,000 riders. Let's hope they can get most of The Gulch done and complete the renovations to the Five Points station in time for the World Cup, which will probably be like holding the Super Bowl every weekend for a month.

Or the 1996 Olympics

[walker1962]

Hello, I am a poster from the future, the year 2053 to be exact. Just wanted to let y'all know, Cobb voters not only have voted down MARTA Rail in 2043 but since then have built a toll road along HWY 41 with excessive fees to discourage all Atlanta residents from entering. In addition, WFH was mandated by Cobb County government to more easily identify visitors and ensure they only are in County no more than 45 minutes on a weekly basis.

I hope this helps. I'm off to Moscow to let Putin know he won't make it past January 2026 and there's nothing he can do about it.

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by ShenardL

Yeah, I don't see many people in Alpharetta or Norcross taking Marta (unless it's to the airport or an event downtown).

You don't see people using it other than for the reasons people would use it? That's not really a great argument against extending the north suburb HRT lines.

The different types of transit should serve different types of areas as appropriate.

The MARTA heavy rail system should at least go into the inner parts of Cobb and Gwinnett (along I-75 and I-85 at least a few miles, plus also at least one station for Six Flags/along I-20. And it should go up to Alpharetta to the end of Fulton County, because for one, there's no railroad corridor in N Fulton, for regional/commuter rail that Cobb and Gwinnett could have.

But yeah, there should be more stations ITP, as well. More infill stations, and lines in the city.

A transit system is a network. A train station is only as good as the stations that connect to it.

Right now, if you live in Johns Creek or something, it's kind of hard to justify taking MARTA to your work in Midtown. Because you're driving so far (like half way there), that you might as well just drive all the way in.

But if the line went out to Exit 10/Exit 11 up on 400, then that changes the situation a bit. I'd rather drive and park and ride that, than deal with all that backed up freeway traffic heading into town in the mornings.

[rrampage]

Originally Posted by primaltech

You don't see people using it other than for the reasons people would use it? That's not really a great argument against extending the north suburb HRT lines.

The different types of transit should serve different types of areas as appropriate.

The MARTA heavy rail system should at least go into the inner parts of Cobb and Gwinnett (along I-75 and I-85 at least a few miles, plus also at least one station for Six Flags/along I-20. And it should go up to Alpharetta to the end of Fulton County, because for one, there's no railroad corridor in N Fulton, for regional/commuter rail that Cobb and Gwinnett could have.

But yeah, there should be more stations ITP, as well. More infill stations, and lines in the city.

A transit system is a network. A train station is only as good as the stations that connect to it.

Right now, if you live in Johns Creek or something, it's kind of hard to justify taking MARTA to your work in Midtown. Because you're driving so far (like half way there), that you might as well just drive all the way in.

But if the line went out to Exit 10/Exit 11 up on 400, then that changes the situation a bit. I'd rather drive and park and ride that, than deal with all that backed up freeway traffic heading into town in the mornings.

My guess is that there will be that extension for North Fulton (to exit 11). MARTA is already established there with the bus routes. People do ride the buses and there are some who prefer to park and ride. Those who live closer to 400 should tend to find the extension appealing (or those who have bus service to the 400 area).

This should be great for business as well. Close-minded people in denial (many of whom don't live near any MARTA stops) will just have to deal with it.

[ShenardL]

Originally Posted by primaltech

You don't see people using it other than for the reasons people would use it? That's not really a great argument against extending the north suburb HRT lines.

The different types of transit should serve different types of areas as appropriate.

The MARTA heavy rail system should at least go into the inner parts of Cobb and Gwinnett (along I-75 and I-85 at least a few miles, plus also at least one station for Six Flags/along I-20. And it should go up to Alpharetta to the end of Fulton County, because for one, there's no railroad corridor in N Fulton, for regional/commuter rail that Cobb and Gwinnett could have.

But yeah, there should be more stations ITP, as well. More infill stations, and lines in the city.

A transit system is a network. A train station is only as good as the stations that connect to it.

Right now, if you live in Johns Creek or something, it's kind of hard to justify taking MARTA to your work in Midtown. Because you're driving so far (like half way there), that you might as well just drive all the way in.

But if the line went out to Exit 10/Exit 11 up on 400, then that changes the situation a bit. I'd rather drive and park and ride that, than deal with all that backed up freeway traffic heading into town in the mornings.

There are people right now who live in Sandy Springs and Doraville but don't take marta to work in midtown/downtown. Marta is all broken promises, and they waste money. Unless you have new leadership there, nothing will be built, and now it has gotten prohibitively expensive.

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by ShenardL

There are people right now who live in Sandy Springs and Doraville but don't take marta to work in midtown/downtown. Marta is all broken promises, and they waste money. Unless you have new leadership there, nothing will be built, and now it has gotten prohibitively expensive.

That's my wife, when we used to live in Sandy Springs and she worked right by the Arts Center station. She's just not a public transit person. I haven't been using it either but tempted to check out the new rail cars once they start running.

[rrampage]

Originally Posted by ShenardL

There are people right now who live in Sandy Springs and Doraville but don't take marta to work in midtown/downtown. Marta is all broken promises, and they waste money. Unless you have new leadership there, nothing will be built, and now it has gotten prohibitively expensive.

Nah, I have to disagree. MARTA is good for business, in general. It will not hurt things. It can only help. I consider public transportation a luxury.