MARTA Planning Corridors (Atlanta, Douglas, Washington: section 8, mover, condo)

[CityFan]

I don't think any mass transit system will become a major transportation system until gas price hit $10/gal. At $4/gal, we still can get around with a car easily and conveniently, plus if you have car pool, it costs even less than riding with mass transit system. It's not going to happen anytime soon. For now I only use MARTA rail to and from airport occationally.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by CityFan

I don't think any mass transit system will become a major transportation system until gas price hit $10/gal. At $4/gal, we still can get around with a car easily and conveniently, plus if you have car pool, it costs even less than riding with mass transit system. It's not going to happen anytime soon. For now I only use MARTA rail to and from airport occationally.

You might wish to read up with these articles, then...


Americans turn to public transit in record numbers | Oakland Tribune | Find Articles at BNET.com

Mass transit demand rises, costs soar - Yahoo! News (broken link)

Pump prices fuel rail ridership - May. 13, 2008

Record gas prices crowd public transit buses | ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/hp/content/metro/stories/2008/04/17/commute_0418.html - broken link)

[CityFan]

^I understand your point and have read these in the news. My point is practical computation. I have a family of three and live next to MARTA rail station (100 steps away). If we make a trip from my home to Buckhead, riding cost of two way via MARTA rail for three is $3.50 x3 = $10.50, which is about 10 miles one way if not less. My car can run 20 m/gal. which costs about $4.00 on gas for the trip. What is the best way to travel? I think elementary school students can figure it out. In this case I only choose MARTA when the gas is more than $15.00/gal. Only when I travel alone, I might consider MARTA rail if destination is very close to MARTA station.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by CityFan

^I understand your point and have read these in the news. My point is practical computation. I have a family of three and live next to MARTA rail station (100 steps away). If we make a trip from my home to Buckhead, riding cost of two way via MARTA rail for three is $3.50 x3 = $10.50, which is about 10 miles one way if not less. My car can run 20 m/gal. which costs about $4.00 on gas for the trip. What is the best way to travel? I think elementary school students can figure it out. In this case I only choose MARTA when the gas is more than $15.00/gal. Only when I travel alone, I might consider MARTA rail if destination is very close to MARTA station.

When these articles are written, they are generally talking about working commuters (as in singles) going to and from work, not entire families loading up on a subway for a day on the town. I agree that overall it will probably be cheaper if a family of 5 piles into a Ford Escort as opposed to paying 5 faires both ways for shorter trips.

Regardless you also have to factor in parking fees, being stuck in traffic congestion, and time when driving vs. transit is considered, too.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by CityFan

^I understand your point and have read these in the news. My point is practical computation. I have a family of three and live next to MARTA rail station (100 steps away). If we make a trip from my home to Buckhead, riding cost of two way via MARTA rail for three is $3.50 x3 = $10.50, which is about 10 miles one way if not less. My car can run 20 m/gal. which costs about $4.00 on gas for the trip. What is the best way to travel? I think elementary school students can figure it out. In this case I only choose MARTA when the gas is more than $15.00/gal. Only when I travel alone, I might consider MARTA rail if destination is very close to MARTA station.

Families driving to the mall are not the cause of traffic congestion, so although you are correct in terms of $ per trip, this argument does not support what you are saying in your post from 12:02.

[onemanarmy]

Interesting. I'm all for the beltline project, but it's not the most important part of infrastructure needed. The beltline and trolley are mostly tourist and recreation(with some commuters). The commuter rail and extention of MARTA rail is needed in every direction out to the immediate suburbs. Cobb, Gwinnett, Douglas, and South Dekalb alternative transportation systems are in dire need. I live near civic center marta and when I get off the train I'm nearly trampled by the OTPer's running to get to th bus from fear of not getting on due to overcrowdedness. I will take some pictures for you guys tomorrow.

[grindin]

But still, Cobb County won't get with the program.

By the time MARTA ever comes up here -even just to Cumberland Mall - Pigs will fly

[SEAandATL]

Originally Posted by grindin

But still, Cobb County won't get with the program.

By the time MARTA ever comes up here -even just to Cumberland Mall - Pigs will fly

I was just thinking they should make a Northwest Line to parallel I-75 to Cumberland and even to Town Center. Meanwhile, I guess the CCT bus from Arts Center to Cumberland will have to do.

[grindin]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

I was just thinking they should make a Northwest Line to parallel I-75 to Cumberland and even to Town Center. Meanwhile, I guess the CCT bus from Arts Center to Cumberland will have to do.

I commute from Kennesaw to Clarkston, so even that would still be useless to me.

A line between I-75 and Cobb Parkway would be best, running by Cumberland Mall and end the route either by the North Loop or even Town Center area... It would serve those areas well given the demographics. And the residents of East Cobb can still sleep at night without worrying about the 'criminal element' coming to get them...

[wxjay]

Originally Posted by grindin

But still, Cobb County won't get with the program.

By the time MARTA ever comes up here -even just to Cumberland Mall - Pigs will fly

MARTA already has a bus line that runs to Cumberland Mall.

*looks outside for flying pigs*