MARTA expanding concessions program (Atlanta: to rent, prices, legal)

[tonygeorgia]

MARTA is taking the next step toward offering a full array of concessions at the transit system’s rail stations.
The agency will host an information session Aug. 7 for companies and vendors interested in food, beverage and specialty retail concession opportunities. MARTA took the plunge into concessions almost two years ago by installing 70 beverage vending machines at all 38 rail stations. The initiative began after the General Assembly passed legislation earlier in 2010 making it legal to eat and drink non-alcoholic beverages at transit stations. Now, MARTA is planning to expand to food and retail concessions in 16 stations. Items and services being considered include fast food, small electronics, sandwiches, newsstands, dry cleaners and jewelry.

MARTA expanding concessions program - Atlanta Business Chronicle

[BobKovacs]

Great. Maybe they can figure out how to lose $800 million per year on concessions like Amtrak does....

[cqholt]

Great news. Always thought redbox would be a great idea at stations. Allow people to rent a movie and bring it back the next morning during morning commute.

[tonygeorgia]

They should expand it to all Marta stations because this will bring in more money to Marta

[RandyWatson13]

Good idea. Hope it works!

[Atlanta_BD]

I don't know. With all the folks taking a whiz at the train stations all the time, that may not be a great idea. I don't want to be catching whifs of urine drifting on the breeze while I'm eating lol. J/K

Are they talking full-fledged concession stands or just vending machines?

Where I'm from a few of the train stations had newsstands that sold packaged snacks and bags of peanuts. But I think they were independently owed. If MARTA sold concessions as a means to generate extra revenue, where would that revenue go?

* Would it help to decrease fares?

* Would the monies generated go toward expansions or re-adding bus routes that have been cut?

* If they began adding this service two years ago and it's generating revenue, has it helped to re-institute cut bus routes?

* What will more concessions or adding retail options do for MARTA that the present vending machines they added two years ago aren't already doing revenue-wise?

* Again, where will this money generated go and how will it benefit MARTA riders to have retail and concession options other than giving them to opportunity to spend more money?

I'm no longer a regular rider so I don't know how many or what machines they have at what stations and I know nothing about what the revenue generated would be spent on in terms of benefitting riders.

[Atlanta_BD]

Originally Posted by tonygeorgia

They should expand it to all Marta stations because this will bring in more money to Marta

Should they expand it to Five Points too? It's rough around those parts and what with the all the sketchy folk and homeless at Five Points Station, it could do more harm than good in terms of theft and homeless people begging.

[MathmanMathman]

I guess concessions are working? But I never...ever...buy anything from the Marta vending machines. Even for vending machines, their prices are too high.

If this new effort at concessions doesn't offer competitive prices...It's not a long walk outside the station for more sensible prices. And they better do more frequent cleanups. As noted above, MARTA stations aren't cleanest.

[tonygeorgia]

Originally Posted by Atlanta_BD

Should they expand it to Five Points too? It's rough around those parts and what with the all the sketchy folk and homeless at Five Points Station, it could do more harm than good in terms of theft and homeless people begging.

If that's the case the should close every business within a 1 mile radius of 5 points lol. Money is money. Sketchy people, homeless people and educated people all spend green money

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by Atlanta_BD

Should they expand it to Five Points too? It's rough around those parts and what with the all the sketchy folk and homeless at Five Points Station, it could do more harm than good in terms of theft and homeless people begging.

And I guess the planned MMPT will clean it up?

There are a number of fast food places around Five Points...all of them in deplorable condition.