How is MARTA? (Atlanta, Woodstock, Scotland: transfer, neighborhoods, to buy)

[rlrl]

quoted me about $30. I wonder if they are metered or flat rate

[johnatl]

^I would guess it's probably a flat rate.

That is pretty wild about what you saw at Perimeter! I used to work out there for several years, and it is a very safe area. Unfortunately, thugs and lowlifes are drawn to the wealthier areas to prey on people. It's pretty rare around there, but it does happen from time to time.......

[rlrl]

Are the Airport and N Springs MARTA stations underground or elevated?

I ask because I have developed a problem with heights on some els

I live near an elevated subway in NY and have no problem climbing the steps but here's the problem

if i exit the train on an elevated platform that affords a view straight down and the train pulls out of the station before i reach the vestibule area, i get a panic attack

how are the airport and N springs stations for this?

at this point in my life it's the heights issue that bothers me more than anything else

[thedudewiththeplan]

Unfortunatly, MARTA is no where near as efficient or as large as NYC's subways (or most any city for that matter). The south line from the airport does have some kinda sketchy terminals (West End, Lakewood) but should not be too much of a problem as long as you stay on the train. Best of luck!

[johnatl]

Well, these particular stations are both elevated but I can promise you you will not experience that. Our elevated stations here have an almost enclosed feeling to them.

Coming from NY you will probably get a kick out of MARTA. Don't get me wrong - I would kill to have a massive, comprehensive system like you are used to. But, MARTA is still relatively new (only about 30 years old) and it was built to last. Most of the stations are very nice, the trains are clean, quiet and fast and they have recently started heavy landscaping around the stations with massive potted plants, etc. As much as it's derided on this forum, MARTA for it's size is a great system that many Metro's would give their left arm to have.

Oh, and when you get into the Airport station just look for the signs for which train to board. The North Springs trains leave from one platform, and the Doraville trains leave from the other. It's very easy to figure out.

[rlrl]

at a PF Changs Chinese place and a Grady's on Ashford Dunwoody rd. Some of the best Chinese food i have eaten. A tex mex place on Ashford Dunwoody rd was good with a Borders/Books in the back. ga can't be beat for the attractiveness/inventiveness of their shopping malls. NY malls are dull and dreary by comparison

Some Atlanta places i have been to:

Atlantic Station in 2007
Aquarium in 2006
Five points in 1999
Lenox Mall in 1999
Phipps Mall in 1999
CNN tour in 1999
Stone Mtn in 1999(couldn't take the heights!!)
Underground Atlanta in 1999(liked Mick's restaurant)

[rlrl]

good info. About NY's massive system though, I'm sure you could live without the---er---rats(or are they cats?) that scurry on the tracks!!! Gross!!! And they hang out in empty utility rooms in the stations too, yeeech!!

[johnatl]

LOL! I must admit I have seen rats scampering along the tracks at the Peachtree Center station, but that is the only place on MARTA that I have personally seen them. It probably has to do with the fact that the station is our deepest, probably about 120 feet below the street.

[rlrl]

I have never been bombarded with so many Peachtree names since i first went to Atl 9 years ago!!

[rlrl]

forward to using MARTA. Do I buy a metrocard or is it a token system? Should i buy a metrocard for 2 rides(one for coming in and going out)?