How do you refer to Atlanta's rail/bus system? (transit, cities)

[Gulch]

[cqholt]

What's the difference between MARTA and Marta?

[glovenyc]

I refer to it as "short-sighted"

[ronyusa]

Originally Posted by cqholt

What's the difference between MARTA and Marta?

With a scream or without one

[Pemgin]

I guess there's nothing technically wrong about calling it "the MARTA," but people come off sounding like yokels when they do that.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by cqholt

What's the difference between MARTA and Marta?

MARTA is an Acronym | Define Acronym at Dictionary.com

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Pemgin

I guess there's nothing technically wrong about calling it "the MARTA," but people come off sounding like yokels when they do that.

I used to say that, thinking it was the correct way. For instance, people don't say, "I'm going to Airport" or "I'll take Downtown Connector to work."

A number of other cities also add "the" when referring to their transit system.

However, I have been advised that it's one more thing that makes me sound like an old geezer, so I am trying to quit.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I used to say that, thinking it was the correct way. For instance, people don't say, "I'm going to Airport" or "I'll take Downtown Connector to work."

A number of other cities also add "the" when referring to their transit system.

However, I have been advised that it's one more thing that makes me sound like an old geezer, so I am trying to quit.

Get off my lawn and give me more elbow room!

[Pemgin]

Originally Posted by arjay57

A number of other cities also add "the" when referring to their transit system.

Hadn't thought of that, but good point.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I used to say that, thinking it was the correct way. For instance, people don't say, "I'm going to Airport" or "I'll take Downtown Connector to work."

A number of other cities also add "the" when referring to their transit system.

However, I have been advised that it's one more thing that makes me sound like an old geezer, so I am trying to quit.

If you consider what MARTA is an acronym for, adding "the" would be the proper usage of our language. It still comes off as cumbersome, though.