Comments on: MARTA Could Cut Entire Day(s) of Service

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:15:39 +0000

Well, the legislature adjourned last night without taking any action whatever on the MARTA issue, not to mention any other transportation relief, so get ready.

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:38:38 +0000

Fun stuff Reporter Cub. Thanks for the update!

By: rptrcub

rptrcub — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:59:07 +0000

All:

I went to MARTA’s community update last night and the information that they presented wasn’t pretty.

As far as parking goes, it would take about a million bucks, from what I can remember, to implement a paid parking system at all stations, and that’s just with the “honor box” system (if you think everyone will pay, get real!). Increasing the long term parking fees would be more practical, according to what they presented.

Even without the axing of the 50/50 rule, fares are going to go up. Monthly passes will have to climb each month (currently $52.50 for non-disabled, non-employer-purchased passes) to $60 in FY 10 and up to $68 in FY 12. One way fares would be $2 starting in FY 10.

If the 50/50 rule isn’t eliminated, cuts will have to happen to the tune of $24 M… either by completely shutting down the system on Fridays (the lowest ridership day according to their stats), or one day on the weekends. Another scenario is to limit hours on the weekends (I left my notes at home), from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., essentially making MARTA like Cobb or Gwinnett except with Sunday service.

Just my two-bit report for y’all…

By: MJK

MJK — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:29:29 +0000

DEM, you are correct to point out all that goes into an individual car trip. The problem is that more than 95% of all car trips do NOT have to pay for parking. The vast majority of parking is provided by employers, retailers, etc. for FREE. As you are probably well aware, parking spaces cannot be provided for free. They cost money. The average cost to provide a single parking space in a parking structure (excluding land costs) is about $15,000. Because users do not have to pay for parking individually we all pay for it (whether we drive or not) in higher costs for everything else – housing, food, lower wages… If we TRULY and transparantly paid the full cost of driving, demand would be lower and transit use would be more attractive.

Your call accountability for transit systems is not without merit. However, unless you are calling out the State Transportation Board (who run GDOT) for the same thing it rings hollow. Where is the accountability for the Georgia Department of Roads and Bridges?

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:19:09 +0000

Yeah sorry, a little sloppy arguing in my last post. I said “cheaper” and meant “value” aka “more bang for the buck”. The flexibility, the at-your-door convenience, ready at a moment’s notice, go anywhere…

And if you don’t live near a transit hub, it certainly isn’t easier. Once you’re on the train/bus, yes. But if you have to drive and park at a station, wait for a bus, make multiple transfers, etc, that’s certainly not easier.

DEM, its not that I don’t expect accountability, its just that I think its laughable that the State government is the one demanding it. How about MARTA be accountable to those that pay the sales tax and not the state government? Can we agree on that?

And finally, you state “The fact that we may foolishly spend money on roads does not mean it’s wise to foolishly spend on MARTA.” The reason I continue to bring up roads is because in my experience, you only criticize public transit (and not roads) when it comes to wasteful gov’t spending. If both are equally wasteful (which they’re not, roads are much more wasteful), why don’t you save some ire for GDOT and their ilk too? Your accountability gauge seems to be a bit lopsided.