MARTA ridership down since I-85 reopened (Atlanta: closing, live, centers)

[arjay57]

What will it take to get Atlantans permanently out of their cars?

Sure, the temporary closing of I-85 got more people on mass transit but did it stick?

When the I-85 bridge collapsed this spring, MARTA increased service and staffing to win over commuters forced off Atlanta highways and onto its trains.

But an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis of federal transit statistics suggests MARTA got only a small boost in ridership that didn’t last. In fact, ridership on the system’s trains and buses is down more than 2 percent this year – part of a long-term decline that has only occasionally been interrupted by fits of growth.

The decline in riders mirrors a national trend. Experts say transit ridership across the country fluctuates but has been hit lately by everything from cheap gas to competition from ride-hailing services. MARTA hoped to buck the trend when I-85 gave it a chance to court new riders.

More....MARTA ridership down since I-85 reopened in Atlanta

[ATL Golfer]

A service that doesn't completely suck?

Side note, took the train to Brookhaven yesterday with my family from the airport.

They allow kids to ride for free. Upon trying to exit, you only have two tickets to get through their gates. The gates closed on us and we had to pry them open. Any way around that nonsense?

I try to avoid MARTA at all costs. It is a terrible product. Rarely is it faster than a car and train intervals are too long.

Last time I used it from the airport we waited nearly 30 mins for the train to depart. The train was packed like sardines. Terrible product.

I would rather pay 10x the amount and take an UBER however that experience from the airport two weeks ago was nearly as bad. THERE IS NO CELL SERVICE AT THE SHARE RIDE PICKUP. You have to go back into the airport to get the Uber/Lyft. Took me over 30 mins to initiate the ride. Others were having the same issue. I have Verizon.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by arjay57

What will it take to get Atlantans permanently out of their cars?

Sure the temporary closing of I-85 got more people on mass transit but did it stick?

A system that actually goes to places that people want to go would be the best start. Our system covers a fraction of ITP and a TINY fraction of the metro. Until there is a system that actually covers an appreciable amount of ITP at worst, whining about people not using it, and using cars instead, is a pointless endeavor.

[primaltech]

They could demolish all the freeways permanently, and MARTA would still be way too inconvenient, and all-around pointless for me to ever even bother with, and I don't even live OTP.

As for the ridership on the NE side that they temporarily gained when the bridge collapsed, of course those riders are going to go back to whatever their regularly commuting choices were previously, with their freeway back intact again. Not sure why anyone was expecting a different result.

[Beretta]

A comprehensive system that gives the ridership what they want and need.

And it doesn't take Captain Obvious to figure out that ridership would be down once I-85 opened back up.

Just how many threads are we going to have on this?

[alco89]

Originally Posted by Beretta

A comprehensive system that gives the ridership what they want and need.

And it doesn't take Captain Obvious to figure out that ridership would be down once I-85 opened back up.

Just how many threads are we going to have on this?

Took the words RIGHT out of my mouth.

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by Beretta

Just how many threads are we going to have on this?

Hi, how long have you been here again?

[2Easy]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

A system that actually goes to places that people want to go would be the best start. Our system covers a fraction of ITP and a TINY fraction of the metro.

Are you including buses?

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by arjay57

What will it take to get Atlantans permanently out of their cars?

Sure, the temporary closing of I-85 got more people on mass transit but did it stick?

Atlanta needs extensive, comprehensive commuter rail.

11 lines.

[2Easy]

Originally Posted by aries4118

Atlanta needs extensive, comprehensive commuter rail.

11 lines.

That would be a massive investment. Especially for a city that hasn’t exactly embraced the transit that already exists.

For commuter rail to work, you need very dense job centers. Think NYC, Chicago, DC. Then you need people willing to walk or use public transportation at the end of their journey. Does Atlanta have these pieces?