North Springs MARTA parking deck has been full (Atlanta, Roswell: college, to live in)

[J2201987]

Originally Posted by jsvh

MARTA eyes North Fulton expansion | Atlanta News & Opinion Blog | Fresh Loaf | Creative Loafing Atlanta

Yes, 75% of a small sample, out of what, nearly 300,000 North Fulton/South Forsyth residents/business owners who (I'm ASSuming) 96% of them drive...

Again, I'm not saying the North isn't worthy of transit expansion (because they certainly need an alternative to the nightmare that is 400), I just think MARTA would be smarter to spend its future expansion dollars in parts less....politically hostile.

[flyonpa]

I noticed within a week or two, of MARTA stopping running the midday express park&Ride bus from NorthSprings to Windward (143) years ago the P/R lot that was probably 50-60% full then, was down to 10-20% full.

Its a perception issue, If you need to go home early for some reason, you can't spend a hour on the Alpharetta Local bus (185) to Wind its way to the P/R that should be a 15 min ride. Just as easy (but with the traffic on 400 not as much any more, to drive to NorthSprings)

Not sure what a cab ride would be but prob in the $20/range.

What would work if for MARTA to come up with a monthly riders Got-to-Get home voucher, 1 per month if needed a Cab Ride up to the P/R. On Marta's "Dime" would empty alot of cars out of the NorthSprings Parking Decks and put the cars back in the WindWard P/R lot.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by flyonpa

I noticed within a week or two, of MARTA stopping running the midday express park&Ride bus from NorthSprings to Windward (143) years ago the P/R lot that was probably 50-60% full then, was down to 10-20% full.

Its a perception issue, If you need to go home early for some reason, you can't spend a hour on the Alpharetta Local bus (185) to Wind its way to the P/R that should be a 15 min ride. Just as easy (but with the traffic on 400 not as much any more, to drive to NorthSprings)

Not sure what a cab ride would be but prob in the $20/range.

What would work if for MARTA to come up with a monthly riders Got-to-Get home voucher, 1 per month if needed a Cab Ride up to the P/R. On Marta's "Dime" would empty alot of cars out of the NorthSprings Parking Decks and put the cars back in the WindWard P/R lot.

Technically, there is a guaranteed ride home ability for emergencies (not scheduled appointments, errands, etc.) but I doubt too many people know about it, and not every need to get home midday would be an emergency. I hope after this Comprehensive Operations Analysis is complete, they'll redo some of the buses including GA-400's BRT-like routes such as 143, as well as doing BRT-like routes elsewhere (I personally suggested I-20 to Lithonia).

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by J2201987

Yes, 75% of a small sample, out of what, nearly 300,000 North Fulton/South Forsyth residents/business owners who (I'm ASSuming) 96% of them drive...

Again, I'm not saying the North isn't worthy of transit expansion (because they certainly need an alternative to the nightmare that is 400), I just think MARTA would be smarter to spend its future expansion dollars in parts less....politically hostile.

They did a scientific study with a larger sample size than most national presidential polls. And 75% is pretty overwhelming support. You are free to admit your original statement was wrong anytime. Or do you have a more recent study with a larger sample size supporting your case somewhere?

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by PacinoWig

Are you sure about that? I know that the business community wants it but I think you might have trouble getting the general public on board for MARTA expansion through Alpharetta. Given how much traction the proposal for North Fulton to outright secede from the rest of the county a few years ago got I don't think it's a stretch to imagine MARTA expansion up there being rejected on the basis of trumped-up fears of crime and corrupt, inefficient management. Also, it would cost a lot of money, and I don't think there's much appetite for higher sales taxes right now in North Fulton.

we already pay the MARTA sales tax. we are in fulton county and we already get bus service. everyone here wants the rail service.

[J2201987]

Originally Posted by jsvh

They did a scientific study with a larger sample size than most national presidential polls. And 75% is pretty overwhelming support. You are free to admit your original statement was wrong anytime. Or do you have a more recent study with a larger sample size supporting your case somewhere?

My original statement would be wrong if there were month-to-month protests to get more MARTA bus/HRT to the north, but that simply. isn't. happening. I know a few Roswell/Alpharetta residents personally and the majority are indifferent to bus/rail (which IMO is worse than outright opposing), while my inner city and south Atlanta acquaintances are wondering when more bus and rail will come.

I find "Scientific studies" about what people want or prefer to be sketchy anyway.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by J2201987

Yes, 75% of a small sample, out of what, nearly 300,000 North Fulton/South Forsyth residents/business owners who (I'm ASSuming) 96% of them drive...

Again, I'm not saying the North isn't worthy of transit expansion (because they certainly need an alternative to the nightmare that is 400), I just think MARTA would be smarter to spend its future expansion dollars in parts less....politically hostile.

You'd be surprised. Even in what is without question the most conservative part of Fulton County, many residents do want the expansion up there. The only developing fight seems to be on which side of 400 they would lay the tracks.

[bryantm3]

Originally Posted by J2201987

My original statement would be wrong if there were month-to-month protests to get more MARTA bus/HRT to the north, but that simply. isn't. happening. I know a few Roswell/Alpharetta residents personally and the majority are indifferent to bus/rail (which IMO is worse than outright opposing), while my inner city and south Atlanta acquaintances are wondering when more bus and rail will come.

I find "Scientific studies" about what people want or prefer to be sketchy anyway.

do you know of ANYWHERE where there are month-to-month protests to bring MARTA?

say what you want about scientific studies, but they're a hell of a lot more reliable than whatever you perceive to be the truth.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Technically, there is a guaranteed ride home ability for emergencies (not scheduled appointments, errands, etc.) but I doubt too many people know about it, and not every need to get home midday would be an emergency. I hope after this Comprehensive Operations Analysis is complete, they'll redo some of the buses including GA-400's BRT-like routes such as 143, as well as doing BRT-like routes elsewhere (I personally suggested I-20 to Lithonia).

Once GDOT decided to allow general travel in the emergency shoulder, the speed of buses was reduced and made taking the P&R buses pointless.

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

Originally Posted by J2201987

My original statement would be wrong if there were month-to-month protests to get more MARTA bus/HRT to the north, but that simply. isn't. happening. I know a few Roswell/Alpharetta residents personally and the majority are indifferent to bus/rail (which IMO is worse than outright opposing), while my inner city and south Atlanta acquaintances are wondering when more bus and rail will come.

I find "Scientific studies" about what people want or prefer to be sketchy anyway.

Eh, most of you statement was wrong; the sentiment that residents in North Fulton don't want it. Also that there is enough ridership to develop in the directions you suggested. North Fulton is home to a large amount of businesses, Siemens, NCR, AT&T, Verifone, ADP, and many others have significant offices up there. As such the benefit of those riding into town and those riding out to Alpharetta area would be realized.