Higher prices, reduced service planned for MARTA (insurance, taxes)

[Atlantasfinest]

Proposed internal cuts include furloughs and higher medical insurance payments. Some that directly affect riders are:

• Raising fares 25 cents, to $2

• Where parking isn’t free, raising fees by $1

• Stopping train service a half-hour or hour earlier — at midnight

• Longer waits for buses and trains

More details below...
Higher prices, reduced service planned for MARTA | ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2009/05/28/MARTA_cutbacks.html - broken link)

[George Chong]

So sad. I think it is combination of the economy and poor management.

Free daily parking is imperative in keep cars off the road and using MARTA. It just adds insult to injury.

[mmenomen]

At least they didn't cut service on Friday, that would have been worse. And with the hours cut, that could affect a few people's ability to come and go on their jobs, so it is disappointing overall. MARTA's being mismanaged is definitely a large part of it, but GA's leading politicians reaction to MARTA's troubles is as embarrassing as well. I really would hate for MARTA to be shut down completely.

[PKCorey]

Parking only cost, if you stay 24 hours or more...

[noah]

And $2.00 really isn't that bad although I'd like the idea of fares based upon distance.

Originally Posted by PKCorey

Parking only cost, if you stay 24 hours or more...

[J2rescue]

Originally Posted by George Chong

So sad. I think it is combination of the economy and poor management.

Free daily parking is imperative in keep cars off the road and using MARTA. It just adds insult to injury.

These changes have no impact on free daily parking.

Where parking isn’t free, raising fees by $1.

[atlantadj]

MARTA has been claimed as another entitlement program by many.

Yes it's probably corrupt with bad people, but the general public needs to stop thinking it's the governments responsibility to get them to and from work, or to and from wherever they feel like going for $1.75

[atlantagreg30127]

They should be charging for parking anyway at all times in all lots. Even at $5 per day for all cars, it would be a lot cheaper than downtown parking lots, and even with a $2 fare on top of it each way, it's a lot cheaper and less hassle than driving.

These problems will just keep coming back until on the State level there are more progressive thinkers who allow the State to contribute funds, and, there's a complete restaffing at MARTA headquarters.

[AcidSnake]

*Sigh* I am emotionally spent on this MARTA issue. I can't wait for Georgia's "Conservative" counter-revolution movement to tire itself out. We Georgians gotta lay this tired, old, recycled, ideology to rest. I don't want us to be another Alabama or Mississippi...

[wxjay]

Originally Posted by atlantadj

Yes it's probably corrupt with bad people, but the general public needs to stop thinking it's the governments responsibility to get them to and from work, or to and from wherever they feel like going for $1.75

And yet the general public continues to think that they shouldn't have to pay for the true cost of roads and other means of transportation.

I am not necessarily opposed to having MARTA fares reflecting cost to operate, but then I want the other means of transportation to be the same as well. Roads are NOT paid for. Raise the taxes or charge a road tax to all people with cars. Install more tolls. Then, we'll compare costs on the two methods of transportation.