Comments on: Atlanta Mayoral Candidates Support Greener Transit Options in Spirit Only

By: Robbie

Robbie — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:33:05 +0000

Pedantic? Don’t you mean ‘pedestrian’? JK – a little population density humor there.

And, for the record, calling it ‘easy’ to go to the zoo, Braves games, or Atlantic Station using MARTA is a BIG stretch. For those who are public transit fans, the additional length of time and additional schedule flexibility required to make the journey may be worthwhile, but for most folks it’s too big a gamble. Plus, if more than two of you are going to the game then the Braves shuttle actually costs MORE than simply driving & parking at the game. More time + more cost + less freedom = losing proposition.

And DEM nailed it, I’m afraid. The airport parking lot is a far more reliable gauge than any of us Deacturites debating the worthiness of our current transit options. Our fellow citizens have shown repeatedly by their actions that they prefer to endure the potential traffic headaches and choose to drive to our airport and ballpark. And, before I get yelled at, I am a weekly MARTA user, so please don’t encourage me to move to Alpharetta.

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:18:21 +0000

I agree with you DEM, but I reference my comment below as to the reasons why we shouldn’t give up on mass transit.

By: AN2500

AN2500 — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:58:57 +0000

“speaking as a bike commuter, I can say that our ranks are very small. There are a lot of self-professed enviromentalists out there who pass me by in their cars on my way to and from work.”

Right on! I am a fellow bike commuter, and I hate it when people in Priuses impatiently pass me on their way to work.

The reality is, that for people who live on the east side of Atlanta and work in downtown or midtown (or even central Buckhead), bicycle commuting and MARTA are generally convenient, viable methods of getting to work. Especially impressive is the reliability and frequency of MARTA’s rush hour service. I live in Kirkwood and work in Midtown and it takes me less than 30 minutes to get to work on MARTA (or by bike). I find both methods of commuting to be plenty convenient, not to mention less stressful and cheaper than driving. In my opinion, it is a pity that more eastside residents don’t take advantage of these options.

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:44:00 +0000

Good point DM. Many people who only infrequently take MARTA just assume that only the poor utilize it. Buy if you ride it nearly everyday, you then realize that while there are many poor who ride MARTA as their primary means of transportation, there are also many middle and upper class folks who utilize it as well because taking their car, fighting traffic, and parking problems are actually less convenient than taking MARTA (not necessarily for Decaturites, but what if you commuted from Sandy Springs downtown every day – how convenient is GA 400 during rush hour).

There are many people who only use MARTA when going to the airport because for many it is more convenient (and cheaper) than driving and parking.

MARTA does a good job with what they have to work with. Until Metro Atlanta’s land use policies change to support transit and discourage car usage, and until the system is expanded to accommodate that, then it will always be an imperfect system.

By: Brad Steel

Brad Steel — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:41:02 +0000

Insult or accurate description of an inaccurate missive?

Hmmm, I say, let the people decide.
BS