The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that today is the day that MARTA “cuts the ribbon…on the first phase of a retail concession initiative aimed at bringing additional income to the cash-strapped transit agency.”

On Twitter, the transit authority announces, “Wow! Vending machines are free on first come first served basis while supply lasts!”

That is if you can find one.  The ABC report notes that not all stations will have machines today, and they will be installed over the next several weeks.

Food kiosks to follow!

A recent survey given to MARTA riders to determine their food and drink preferences came back stating that the most desired items were water, juice and fresh fruit.  In that order.  “Packaged candies and snacks” came in fourth.

Which raises the question, “Are MARTA riders just naturally healthy or do they, like most of their impressionable species, just respond to surveys with answers they believe people want to hear and not what they actually desire?”