MARTA - There when you need it (Atlanta: trains, transit)

[jane078]

Marta might be nice for anyone who lives in the city, but as someone in the Marietta suburbs... It's useless. I have to drive into the city to ride Marta. And if I'm driving there anyway, might as well drive straight to my destination.

[JoeTarheel]

Originally Posted by jane078

Marta might be nice for anyone who lives in the city, but as someone in the Marietta suburbs... It's useless. I have to drive into the city to ride Marta. And if I'm driving there anyway, might as well drive straight to my destination.

Well of course it's not convenient for those living in the Cobb County suburbs since it doesn't go there, although it is used quite a bit by Fulton and Dekalb suburbanites.

[arjay57]

These studies by Cobb County are pretty interesting. They seem to show a very strong interest in adding rail transit in Cobb.

http://dot.cobbcountyga.gov/ConnectC...inedSurvey.pdf

Question:
Local officials are considering several possible ways to improve transportation back and forth
between Cobb County and the Arts Center MARTA station in the City of Atlanta. One way is
adding a new form of public transportation.

5. One option would be adding light rail transit, which means laying down tracks
for passenger trains that could run along highways and on streets between Cobb County and
the Arts Center MARTA station in Midtown Atlanta. Another possible option would be bus
rapid transit, which means adding lanes to highways that can be used by passenger buses
between Cobb County and the Arts Center MARTA station in Midtown Atlanta. If cost was
not a factor, which would you prefer to see in place: light rail transit, or bus transit?

Response:

Train–Much 57% ................................................... .................................................. ...........
Train–Somewhat 4% .................................................. .................................................. .....
Bus–Much 15% .................................................. .................................................. ...............
Bus–Somewhat 2% .................................................. .................................................. ........
Both (volunteered response) 7% .................................................. .............................................
Neither (volunteered response) 12% .................................................. ......................................
It depends (volunteered response) 3% .................................................. .....................................
Don’t know/Refused 0%

[cqholt]

MARTA did very well Sunday for the Falcons and Braves games. Trains ran on peak time schedules and where extended to 8 car lengths. They always do a good job of moving people after events and will not stop running until the stations are cleared, usually 1 hour.

[THETERMINATORRRR]

you marta fans love to spend your time and justify why its better than metro and/or other rail systems.

[cqholt]

you marta fans love to spend your time and justify why its better than metro and/or other rail systems.

Well it has killed a lot less people, is cleaner, and has AC on every car. It is not better than WMATA, but WMATA has double the mileage and gets 2 state funds.

[THETERMINATORRRR]

Originally Posted by bryantm3

have you actually tried to do this? i had a situation where my card wasn't working and i went in directly behind my brother, the damn thing closes on you and it hurts, it's painful. there's no way to get through that thing.

I see it happen on a weekly basis.

[MiamiRob]

Originally Posted by Frankster87

For all the negative attitudes directed toward this system and it's perceived lack of accountability and dependability, I say we all take a step back and appreciate the ONLY heavy rail system in the sunbelt and focus on ways to make it better for tomorrow.

I stumbled across this article today and although it's almost a month old, it's definitely a good read - Especially with how much MARTA is trashed when compared to other systems. I at least can say that I have never been stranded after a sporting event or concert that went a little late.

Does Metro close too early on weeknights? - Greater Greater Washington

Ever heard of Miami? We have a 25 mile heavy rail system also so Atlanta is not the only one in the sunbelt! In addition to a 4.8 mile downtown people mover & and a 74 mile commuter rail system called Tri-Rail.

As for Atlanta? Screw the suburban counties and focus on the two counties that fund MARTA.

[cqholt]

Ever heard of Miami? We have a 25 mile heavy rail system also so Atlanta is not the only one in the sunbelt!

1 1/2 line is not a system, MARTA is the only true HRT system in the Sunbelt.
I have ridden MetroRail and it does not compare to MARTA.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by cqholt

MARTA did very well Sunday for the Falcons and Braves games. Trains ran on peak time schedules and where extended to 8 car lengths. They always do a good job of moving people after events and will not stop running until the stations are cleared, usually 1 hour.

Good to hear they did a good job Sunday. But I think it is a bit of a stretch to say they ALWAYS do a good job. Spent way too much time waiting after concerts and Thrashers games.