MARTA not kid-friendly (transfer, to buy, buses)

[netdragon]

With both my kids, I've taken them on MARTA because it's fun for them.

Because you can't use the same card, you have to go through a different gate than your kid or at a different time.

For both my kids, before they got the hang of it, I had crying kids stuck on the other side of the gate on at least one occasion when they were learning to use the cards and the urge to smash through the gate to get them or lift them over it.

What are your thoughts about MARTA needing to make themselves more kid-friendly?

[bryantm3]

i completely and totally agree; it's not economical at all to take a family of four; it's $10 for a one-way trip. even with a monthly pass, you have to buy a separate card for everyone in your family, and that comes close to $400 a month— not an easy bill for a struggling family to afford every month.

[dblackga]

Normally, you can ask one of the attendants to let you through the handicapped gate if you're in that kind of situation -- that way, you can all go through together and get all the cards tapped through.

[magnetar]

I've never been on MARTA with kids before, but on Metro in DC, which uses a very similar system, the faregates bank taps and stay open until the right number of people have gone through the gate. So, for example, you can tap three cards, and the gate will stay open until three people have gone through. You can try that and see if it works. Or email custserv@itsmarta.com; they are very helpful and have always responded to my questions and concerns.

Of course, it's free to ride for small children.

[fourthwarden]

Originally Posted by dblackga

Normally, you can ask one of the attendants to let you through the handicapped gate if you're in that kind of situation -- that way, you can all go through together and get all the cards tapped through.

Pretty much. It's not too big of an issue getting through the gate. The part about not being able to use the same card multiple times to get in is because each card has to tap out to 'complete' the trip and load a bus transfer. Tapping in multiple times and tapping out messes with that.

What I wouldn't mind seeing is a 'family account' set up, where you can get a few cards all linked to the same account with a discounted 'family monthly pass' where it's cheaper than individual monthly passes. You could get them at the reduced fare office by proving you're all related with I.D.s or something.

Other than that, getting through the gates really isn't that big of a deal.

Originally Posted by magnetar

I've never been on MARTA with kids before, but on Metro in DC, which uses a very similar system, the faregates bank taps and stay open until the right number of people have gone through the gate. So, for example, you can tap three cards, and the gate will stay open until three people have gone through. You can try that and see if it works. Or email custserv@itsmarta.com; they are very helpful and have always responded to my questions and concerns.

That's pretty cool actually, though the MARTA gates don't really work that way. Just tap and walk through the open gates, I don't think they have a way to count as people go through, unless you're talking to an attendant.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by fourthwarden

That's pretty cool actually, though the MARTA gates don't really work that way. Just tap and walk through the open gates, I don't think they have a way to count as people go through, unless you're talking to an attendant.

It's mostly so that people don't have to wait for the gates to close behind the person in front of them before tapping and walking through.

[cqholt]

Kids under 46" are free, limit 2 kids per paying rider. Use the handicap faregate when traveling with kids that qualify for free fare, the handicap faregate has sensors so the gates will not close if an object is detected. My wife and I travel wih our daughter on MARTA since she was born and have had no issues on buses or trains.
MARTA - Using MARTA

[AtlJan]

Very frustrating to ride Marta with kids. Same thing--I slid my card and sent the child through, and then was going to slide the card for myself. It didn't work. Had to leave my child unattended inside the marta station for 5 full minutes while I waited in line again, bought another card for myself and paid for myself. Only later did I find out the child was free, but there was still no indication of how I was supposed to get the child through for free. Never again.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by AtlJan

Only later did I find out the child was free, but there was still no indication of how I was supposed to get the child through for free. Never again.

Swipe your card, hold their hand, and walk through with them.

[Zanarkand A East]

Originally Posted by red92s

Swipe your card, hold their hand, and walk through with them.

Bingo. MARTA not kid-friendly...or kids (and their parents) not MARTA-smart?