The New MARTA Posters are Here!
Decatur Metro | February 11, 2011 | 1:16 pm
MARTA is designing new 30th anniversary maps and posters for all the avid MARTA fans out there. Above is just one of six entries being considered for wider distribution. Check out all six options on their Facebook page.
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Really like the one you posted.
Not really related to this, but inside the Decatur MARTA station, near the Church Street exit, is a nice looking and colorful (looks like ceramic tile) poster done by Decatur school children. (!!!). I think it is called “What MARTA means to me”. I have tried to find it on the MARTA web site but I cannot find it. I just saw it in the station yesterday. Check it out if you can.
Can we include the slogan, “For when you need to get somewhere we’ll get you there after a short walk, two transfers, one train and a 1/2 mile walk.”
The worst mass transit system in America. No convenient train stations near key stops like Turner Field, Virginia Highland, Stone Mountain Park, Georgia Aquarium.
Have you ever tried the transit system in LA. Considering what we spend, our is pretty good. It goes to my job and the train station is 3 blocks from my home.What is the basis for your statement :” The worst mass transit system in America”.
The station inside the airport is one of the few that I know of.
The worst? Maybe, but also the only one of its size without state funding. BTW, here is a link to the Top Ten systems (according to U.S. News and World Report):
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/02/08/10-best-cities-for-public-transportation
Come on — everyone thinks their local transit system is the worst. MARTA is unique in that it has endured successfully (one of the highest riderships in the US) for 30 years despite setbacks that could have easily crippled it. Setbacks like: no dedicated state support, bias against it by state politicians, and (most importantly) trying to get people around without a car in a disjointed metro that is more auto-centric than most.
I like the poster with this photo on black rather than white. I’ll buy one.
“No convenient train stations near key stops like Turner Field, Virginia Highland, Stone Mountain Park, Georgia Aquarium.”
Agreed on Turner Field only because the situation was the same when ATl. Fulton County Stadium existed, but the Aquarium came long after Marta laid down tracks. And I simply do not agree that Stone Mountian is a key stop. Virginia Highland is a problem, I agree. I rarely visit anymore because of the parking hassles.
Until the recent service cuts, due to inadequate (mostly, I guess) state funding, there was a busline frrom downtown Decatur to anywhere you cared to go on Highland. It took 20 minutes,
True, but on weekends the frequency was, I believe, every hour. It is a shame there isn’t a station near there. It seems to me that in the past more affluent people actively avoided being near Marta stations, so there is an unfortunate lack of development near many of the existing stops.
I pray we get to build the Beltline. The transit aspect of that will catapult us to one of the best transit systems in America. It does go to places many of us what to go to without a car!
Well put!
The Beltline will be nice, and will certainly add a lot of links to our existing infrastructure, and I hope it gets built, but for those who want a transit system that will “go everywhere,” they will still be disappointed. Even if the Beltline is completely built, it still will not take you to Turner Field, Virginia Highland or Emory!
VaHi parking tip: Parallel park on one of one of the residential side-streets.
I’m sure the residents/homeowners appreciate your sentiments. Ask anyone who lives in walking distance of Taqueria del Sol…
If you can’t walk from P’Tree Center or 5 Points to the Aquarium, you’re either disabled or pretty damn lazy.
Even closer to the Acquarium is the Civic Center/West P’tree stop.
Although I don’t ride Marta often, I think that it’s a reasonably good system for intown transportation, especially given the limited resources available. My primary quibble is with inadequate signage. DC’s Metro stations, which I used for about 10 years, have marked maps at multiple locations on all platforms, maps on the trains, and color-coded identifiers on train exteriors. I found similar signage strategies in NYC and Chicago stations when I lived in those areas.
But when I rode Marta during the blizzard, I was surprised at how often I had to ask other passengers to verify that I was on the right platform. Small details like that (while certainly not as critical as bus route availability) can affect ridership levels.
I’ve ridden a lot of transit systems, and MARTA is pretty good overall. Look, it’s not as complete in terms of train or bus stations as, say, NYC or London but Atlanta grew quickly and recently. It’s not been building mass transit building for a century to serve a dense urban population, but instead built roads.
Lots of roads.
And people loved driving on those roads to “escape the city” and have little pastoral fiefdoms but now complain that there’s no metro stop at their door. With most of the metro area accustomed to driving and spread very thinly (again compared to, say Boston) it’s fantastically expensive and difficult to build a rail station convenient to everyone in a city with this much sprawl.
Not sayin’ it’s perfect but Atlanta isn’t NYC or Berlin. Different set of challenges, and MARTA’s done okay.
I agree Rick, and would add that, when Marta was conceived, one of the primary goals (maybe the primary goal) was providing transportation for poor people to get to work. Because of that, Marta has never had much political power or public support from the middle class. Hopefully, that perception will change as more people move to urban areas and use Marta.
Look, I’ll be the first to admit that MARTA has is challenges and too few stops and places that people want to go, i.e., Turner Field, Virginia Highland, etc.
However, to say that MARTA has no “convenient train stations near key stops,” I would completely disagree.
The busiest Airport in the United States has a MARTA station.
The Georgia Dome/Philips Arena/CNN Center has a station. That station is also an easy walk to Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, and World of Coke. These attractions are also a very short walk to from either the Peachtree Center or Civic Center stations on the north/south line as well
Midtown is also very well served by MARTA with 3 stations. North Avenue is a block from the Fox Theater and the Georgia Tech campus and the Midtown and Arts Center Stations are convenient to the Woodruff Arts Center and Piedmont Park.
The Buckhead and Lenox Stations are convenient to the Phipps Plaza/Lenox Square area.
So, it doesn’t go everywhere, but unless we as a region are willing to pay for it, it never will. With what MARTA has to work with, I think they do better than you would expect.
I’m sorry Marshall, but if we can’t spend 10 million plus to build a MARTA stop at Turner Field to service the Braves’ 80 or so annual home games, then all is lost. A transit system that doesn’t go everywhere really goes nowhere. It’s an outrage, I tell ya.
I completely agree there should be a MARTA line going to Turner Field. Not only would it serve people going to Braves games, but would completely revitalize that side of town.
However, if you think that only $10 million would be what it would cost to do so, you are out of your mind!
Oh, I agree it would likely be multiples of $10 million. Just threw out a low number.
And to add to Marshall’s list, the Capitol and Georgia State University are next to a station. Peachtree Center serves a very busy business district. Those two represent mine and my wife’s commute, so we don’t have to use a car at all for work. Granted, Marta isn’t the most convenient for weekend leisure activities, but it’s pretty damn good if you make the decision to live and (if possible) work near a station.
i love riding marta, but i SO wish the train went to Emory/CDC. the buses in that area are totally unreliable/inconvenient and traffic is just terrible. there is such a huge potential market there for marta…
Take the Cliff from the Decatur station.
See any irony?
There’s no gain in quibbling with each other. Actually, it’s detrimental. Such bickering suggests to MARTA executives that the only opinions to engage us over is “tell us your preference” on things like… posters.
Oh please. That’s what we do here. Get over yourself
Well, that’s not the sort of response I had hoped for. Does Rebeccab speak for the community?
We all speak for ourselves. But I appreciate you not lashing out in return. “Get over yourself” could technically be considered a personal attack, but since you’ve already seen it and replied I guess I’ll leave it alone.
But to get back to your point. I’m not sure there’s a single worthwhile event in human history that didn’t involve a good amount of “quibbling”. From MARTA posters to Egyptian revolutions, quibbling is a necessary and essential part of a social life, despite any potential downsides.
DM, I would certainly encourage and follow a debate, particularly one that’s civil, but I see no gain, to anyone, in tussling with polar opinion (which is what I perceived at the time of my post).
Whether you want to love or hate MARTA, your opinion will bear little influence; they get their penny either way. On the contrary, appropriate engagement might influence things for the better, for all parties. A further benefit would be that both sides might appeal to the undecided/unconcerned middle rather than alienating/offending them.
I want to acknowledge that several posts that followed were more constructive or focused on sharing personal experience. Thanks to those.
Oh Holy Moses and Jeez & Cheese Louise-
Bobby- I do not represent www.decaturmetro.com. I really don’t like DEM but i always appeciate what he has to say. My comment was rude and I apologize.
Who is the better part of DM? In this order…
Deanne
Cuba
DEM (grrrrr)
Nelliebelle
Tee Russ
Please don’t judge DM by me.
I’m feelng a little left out. Sniff.
DTR- I love you too. cuddeles
I forgort GTG
Aw shucks! Love right back to ya, Rebeccab!
Bobby- Stick around! Sometimes we DO come out of squabbles with expanded perspectives– at least the folks who are open to it do. Pretty cool when it happens! (Interesting take on Marta & our input … certainly something to ponder… )
Another huge miss. How could I leave Karass off my list? I love her too. See, this is why I never make lists, and go to the grocery store everyday for everything I forgot yesterday.
And apparently can’t spell for s*** Google Chrome would have helped me with that but I was using a friend’s computer.
My knickers are still a little curfuffled by Bobby but I suspect we will all move on..
Your knickers are curfuffled?? That sounds like something I could make a lot of money on?
It also sounds like a Valentine’s Day euphemism. Naughty!
Nelliebelle: Pimp Momma!
Nellie- We need to go into business together.
My preference on the posters: save the money and put it back into the system.
I think they need to improve their image but should spend wisely in all such attempts. I don’t know if this qualifies; it risks reminding us: a few more years, another billion dollars, and still no new station. If I’m mistaken (and they’ve built something recently), then they should put that in the poster.
So many people love to hate on MARTA but guess what, it’s what got me to work when I first moved to Atlanta. It got me to the dentist for years, too. And to the mall. And the airport. And the Farmer’s Market. So it took an extra hour to get there and back, boo hoo. I read a lot of books. You learn to plan ahead.
Later I moved closer to work (yes, dumping the $ into rent vs. a car, buying TIME that way) and I’ve never looked back. So MARTA, big smooch, don’t go away.
It’s not perfect and it doesn’t go everywhere, but it’s a whole lot more than “nothing,” in particular when you are starting out or simply can’t afford a car. For a lot of folks, it’s not just this thing lets you get drunk at the game/restaurant and not have to drive back home. It’s the thing that gets them to work and back each day, allows them to keep said job and pay the bills.
Well-said. When I’ve had the opportunity to work downtown, I have simply loved it. And I’ve had the chance to spend a lot of time on the Boston and NYC subway/train/streetcar systems. Atlanta is like Los Angeles–a mass transit system helps a lot but can never completely serve the whole metro area because of the distances and type of residential and business development.
I love MARTA trains and buses. Even with the service/route cutbacks, it’s still the best mass transit system imaginable because of the lack of state support and the frequency of niggling criticism from people who probably don’t ride it anyway. Anyway, the buses that provide service beyond the MARTA stations will take you almost anywhere you want to go in the greater Atlanta area. Buy some good walking shoes to take your adventure further, it’s really the ONLY way to appreciate Atlanta’s beautiful and distinctive neighborhoods.
Hi Chira–riding a MARTA bus is also a great way to meet people of all economics status from all over the world.!
So true!! People riding the bus have time and motivation to talk. I like that, and have
made some fortuitous friends in that way.
MARTA means never having to drive to my job downtown, and hence being able to be a one-car family (of five), both of which are big pluses for me. The MARTA rail system is a good system, for where it covers, but that’s far too small. Too bad Cobb and Gwinnett said no to MARTA.
One car and a family of five? Count me impressed. And I thought we were doing something being a one car family of two.
I am a household of one (1), but I have not had a car since 1998 and have never even been tempted to go back to that hassle.
I am in awe of all three of you–TOK, Brianc, and Chira. The problem with decreasing from two cars to one car in our family would be the necessity for increased communication, organization, and self-discipline. (See thread about not signing up for Decatur Rec camp for Winter Break until it was too late).
Maybe once the kids are out of the nest, I can do better at decreasing our footprint, getting rid of yard, walking or using mass transit.
Using public/mass transportation 99% of the time (occasional rental car or taxi) has been a great experience for me. I could have someone pick me up to go to bookclub or to a special shopping destination, but I prefer to figure out the public transportation route/combination that will get me there. If there are 5 blocks to walk at either end of the trek, I am benefitted by the extra exercise and close-up street views of all shops and residences. I have learned to “shop along the route” for most things I need/want, even if the shops are not ideal or higher-priced. Sure saves me a lot of time and hassle. I always have things to read or work on for bus/train stop waiting or riding, unless I happen into a nice conversation with another traveler. Live and learn – my standard mode of thinking…
Here’s a funny thing- I was 23 when I got my driver’s license. I never had to worry about my weight until I got it! I try to do all small trips into downtown Decatur by leg or bike as a result!
It’s actually not that big of a deal–we need one car for getting around town most places and shopping, but since getting back and forth to work doesn’t require a car, one is enough for what we need. If my wife is using the car for something else and I’m not with her, I can bike most places I need to get to within a couple of miles. Very occasionally it’s a hassle or requires some logistical work, but since we’re used to it, it’s mostly just something we don’t think about and take for granted.
Three year ago, I went from one car to no car. Now I use MARTA every day. I do walk a lot and take a cab several times a week. I am healthier as a result, and I like to believe Mother Earth is better off. And if it really does not matter to Mother Earth, I still feel much better. So can I get a shout-out M. karass?
Absolutely, I am in awe. So how do you handle those last-minute, running late moments? Call a cab? Which cab companies are the best at quick responses if needed?
You need to develop a relationship with a cab driver. Say, you call Checker Cab, (which btw is converting their fleet to hybrid cars) and determine you like the driver that gets you. Get his card and then next time you need a cab, you can call him or her direct and get a realistic time for pickup. My drivers (I like saying that) work the Emory- Decatur area (some in the morning and some late at night, I like that too!) and I generally can get a cab to my house in 5 to 20 minutes. What is nice about having the relationship is you can get a realistic arrival time. If you call the company directly, rather than the driver, the dispather always also says “20 to 30 min.”. It is really important to have several cards, if you always need to get to work on time.
Do you have young children? I feel like they are often the unspoken variable in an only sorta-convenient transit city like ATL.
In fact, I bet if I filtered the population on home/work location to transit along with # and age of kids in a household, I could easily identify the transit-by-choice segments of the population in the metro.
My youngest son is at DHS and lives with his Mom mainly. She also lives in Decatur and does have a car. He walks to school. Always has. I think your hypothesis is correct.
DM, “with kids and can afford a car” is probably a well-defined segment of people that opt-out and forget about transit, but I doubt that that (along with geo.) is the whole picture. I’ve heard a variety of other reasons why someone chooses their car.
Back to your remark, I believe the phenomenon is understood but broadly ignored. You’ve probably seen the design consultants’ many graphics suggesting that new urbanites will be 25-35 (w/o children) or retirees.
Does the Lindbergh TOD have a school nestled amongst those parking decks? Any childcare?
You’re right. The design consultants know about it. I just think it can get lost in the broader discussion that we often have here. Transit rules! Transit sucks!
However, the convenience-threshold is a common factor for everyone and it impacts your general feeling and use of transit. People with kids have a generally low convenience-threshold, so even if they live near transit, it may still not be convenient enough to use if both parents have full-time jobs.
I was just reminding myself that though we often talk in absolutes, it really all relative.