Comments on: MARTA Considers Drastic Measures To Balance Budget

By: Flaka

Flaka — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:14:30 +0000

DM, thanks for the link. It sounds like it was an interesting meeting!

It’ll be interesting to see how that fare increase vs. ridership decline estimation pans out in reality!

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:22:14 +0000

David over at inDecatur has a report from the meeting which includes this quote from the MARTA folks..."For every increase of 10% in fares, 3.5% of the ridership is lost."

By: Flaka

Flaka — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:06:05 +0000

Did anyone make it to the MARTA forum at the library last night? I wanted to, but didn’t manage it.

While online I wanted to add some “actual user” perspective on the fare increase. I commute daily on MARTA, and believe I (just about) squeeze into that Middle Class with choices demographic Scott identified earlier. My primary reasons for using MARTA are a combination of cost saving, and environmental conscience….

Truthfully, the fares are very low and I’d pay more. However, I doubt my environmental conscience would withstand a large increase in the cost of my commute brought about by a switch to a distance based fare structure. Hence, my personal situation validates Scott’s fear that people with other choices will desert the system – and I’m sure I’d not be unique.

It’s ludicrous that MARTA fares haven’t increased in 7-8 years, but it’s not realistic to expect that MARTA can catch up overnight by instigating huge increases. The proposed 25-cent increase initially sounds pathetic, but it equates to 14% when viewed in context. Assuming a similar increase is taken on all the weekly/monthly passes I think that’s a decent start – and hopefully those in change will realize that once a year might be a better goal than once a decade for fare increases!

By: dem

dem — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:35:00 +0000

If MARTA bought a system that could not be upgraded to a distance-based fare without another 20 million outlay, I rest my case concerning the quality of their management.

By: D

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:39:10 +0000

My source is at the top of the food chain at MARTA. I also questioned the $20 million and the source repeated the number.

By: Left Wing

Left Wing — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:27:55 +0000

$20 million in Software!

That is complete horsequeeze!!!

Who is running the show over there? What did they get two vendors in there and ask both of them how much it would cost?

I am in software sales. A $1.5 million sale to a $7 billion company can run every application company wide.

Given that Marta is not the most technology savvy customer out there, it sounds like your source is completely misinformed.

By: D

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:09:42 +0000

According to a very high ranking MARTA official, the Breeze system will not accomodate distance pricing without an additional $20 Million in software. MARTA is very discouraged about this revelation because they were led to believe when they switched to Breeze that it could be easily converted for distance pricing.

By: another Rick

another Rick — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:13:43 +0000

Given the massive state government subsidy of our automobile based culture and developers, in my opinion, it is shameful the no State financial assistance is provided to MARTA. Then again, given our State’s historic neglect and even hostility to anyone not white, suburban and middle class or higher, it is no surprise. I do ride MARTA, everyday. The large majority of the riders are working class people just trying to survive. The system seems well run given the constraints of a hostile state government.