Relying only on public transportation (Atlanta, Sandy Springs: apartment complexes, to live, restaurants)

[scottinpdx]

I am curious if it is possible to live, work and play in Atlanta. But, only use public transportation to get around?

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by burnhams

I am curious if it is possible to live, work and play in Atlanta. But, only use public transportation to get around?

Yes it is as long as you live in the City of Atlanta or along the East line of MARTA in Dekalb county and don't listen to anyone who says otherwise. The first car I ever purchased was last year and it wasn't because I couldn't afford one. I just didn't have a need to as I have never lived more than 5 blocks from a MARTA station.

[johnnyboy2008]

Yes, I lived in a high rise in buckhead for 5 years and happily did not own a car. The peachtree road bus #23 runs every 8 minutes and there was a subway station a couple of miles away in either direction.
I love not owning a car and it saves a ton of money.

The key is to live very close to a subway station and/or on peachtree where the bus runs very often.

[rackensack]

Originally Posted by johnnyboy2008

The peachtree road bus #23 runs every 8 minutes

Not anymore. The #23 bus line was cut completely in the most recent round of service cutbacks in response to MARTA's budget problems: MARTA service cuts start Aug. 15 | Fresh Loaf

Frequency was reduced on rail service and a number of other bus lines as well. It's still possible to survive in Atlanta without a car, but it's even harder than it already was now.

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by rackensack

Not anymore. The #23 bus line was cut completely in the most recent round of service cutbacks in response to MARTA's budget problems: MARTA service cuts start Aug. 15 | Fresh Loaf

Frequency was reduced on rail service and a number of other bus lines as well. It's still possible to survive in Atlanta without a car, but it's even harder than it already was now.

UGH! You do realize that the #110 follows almost the exact same route, right? It'll now cover the times that the #23 didn't and it actually goes further (all the way downtown) than the #23 did.

MARTA - Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority


Besides it was only a matter of time before one of the routes went. When the streetcar gets put in the point will be moot.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by burnhams

I am curious if it is possible to live, work and play in Atlanta. But, only use public transportation to get around?

If you live in Fulton or DeKalb counties, yes you can live without a car somewhat easily. In Cobb County, you could but it would be very inconvenient as the busses run only every hour or half hour at the most and they do not run on Sunday except to Six Flags. And they quit running at 11 or 12 midnight. So while it is "possible" in Cobb, it is not "recommended".

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

UGH! You do realize that the #110 follows almost the exact same route, right? It'll now cover the times that the #23 didn't and it actually goes further (all the way downtown) than the #23 did.

MARTA - Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority


Besides it was only a matter of time before one of the routes went. When the streetcar gets put in the point will be moot.

Is #110 the route that is nicknamed "The Peach" due to the route being along Peachtree St.? If I lived in Atlanta I would want to live close to a MARTA Station. Even Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, or Alpharetta would be nice. Cobb County also has express CCT buses that go to Midtown.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

Cobb County also has express CCT buses that go to Midtown.

Note though, that the Xpress bus system usually just runs a few buses in the early A.M. hours, and then a few runs back again in the later afternoon hours. Some MIGHT have one "reverse commute" route midday. It's not an all day back and forth bus system. I wouldn't want to live carless and have to rely ONLY on that route.

The Hiram/Powder Springs route is such a route. There's maybe one or two apartment complexes in Hiram that are within reasonable walking distance to that park/ride Xpress stop (as well as a super Target for groceries, and other stores/restaurants), but the Powder Springs lot is pretty isolated and meant to be driven to, as Powder Springs doesn't allow apartment complexes within the town limits and there's no retail within walking distance of that lot as well.

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

Note though, that the Xpress bus system usually just runs a few buses in the early A.M. hours, and then a few runs back again in the later afternoon hours. Some MIGHT have one "reverse commute" route midday. It's not an all day back and forth bus system. I wouldn't want to live carless and have to rely ONLY on that route.

The Hiram/Powder Springs route is such a route. There's maybe one or two apartment complexes in Hiram that are within reasonable walking distance to that park/ride Xpress stop (as well as a super Target for groceries, and other stores/restaurants), but the Powder Springs lot is pretty isolated and meant to be driven to, as Powder Springs doesn't allow apartment complexes within the town limits and there's no retail within walking distance of that lot as well.

The CCT bus #10 runs from Marietta via Cumberland Mall to the Arts Center Station about every 15 min. between 5 a.m. and midnight on weekdays, and every 30 min. from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays (unfortunately CCT doesn't run on Sundays, so no taking the bus to church) .

http://dot.cobbcountyga.gov/cct/10out.htm

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

The CCT bus #10 runs from Marietta via Cumberland Mall to the Arts Center Station about every 15 min. between 5 a.m. and midnight on weekdays, and every 30 min. from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays

You're right - I was mixed up when you said, "express CCT buses"... as the regular route does make stops every-other block while it's still in Cobb County. The "Xpress" buses are also run by CCT on the Cobb routes, but they only stop at the designated park and ride lots before going into Atlanta.