It's been around as long as I can remember.....

 

I live in Cumming (North of Atlanta) and for a YEAR I drove about 20 miles to the park and ride off of GA 400. Then I would ride the bus to the marta rail station and ride the train to work. All in all, it was better than DRIVING in traffic and I got to read a book. PLUS, if there was a wreck (usually!) or it was raining (which would cause the wreck) it was absolutely beyond my control. Which was kind of nice as I relaxed with my book!

However, all that commuting was just too much after a while. So I got a job closer to home (in Atlanta, traffic's often a factor in life's decisions!) I did find that I enjoyed both the bus and the train and they were always clean. The park and ride at Mansell Rd (North Atlanta) seemed nice and safe and there were always a lot of people there. The drivers and the staff (there were several "get to know Marta" days) were always nice and friendly.

The company I worked for was right on the rail line and so was our biggest client so we always took the rail back and forth during the day. Again, a pleasant experience and better than worrying about parking.

When I go to the airport, I usually drive ... only because with airline schedules such as they are, I'm worried that I'll get home when Marta's not running and I'll have to figure something out.

Hope that helps!

Sandy

 

thanks all of you, i really appreciate it.

you don't really have to give me an explanation - if you're lazy, just voting is fine.

anyone else?

 

I'm 17, poyo...personally, i don't like it. 2 of my friends have had their cars stolen from Marta stations. It's not maintained very well and it's ghetto IMO.Is that all you need? Brandon

 

I have lived in Atlanta for 21 years. I have used Marta 2-3 times. The problem is the tracks were placed where they could get right-of-way, and not where people generally go. They do not extendout into the suburbs in sufficient depth or quantity to attract enough riders to reduce the traffic on the interstates. This is mainly because the outlying counties have resisted expansion due to the "element" that Marta brings with it. In general Marta is mainly a downtown thing. Unfortunately, most of the metro Atlanta population lives outside of downtown.

 

Moyopoyo,

I have used Marta several times. It's a decent system if you live close to Atlanta. I live in Lawrenceville, which pretty far "outside the perimeter" but I can get to the Doraville station and go from there. I typically use it for going to sporting events and such in town. I like the convienience of it, especially during peak traffic times (which Atlanta is famous for).

My dad is a huge authority in the tranportation industry (we are talking big-time...he knows everything!) and could probably supply you with TONS of information on light rail. PM me if you like with the info that you need, and I will see what I can get for ya.

 

thanks all of you, i really appreciate it. i asked for the survey to be for two days, and it's been like exactly one day so far - so there's still another day left.

wendy: if i end up needing more information, i'll let you know. thanks.

again, if any of you just want to vote and not reply, go for it.

 

When I was a kid and could not drive and lived near a station my folks would drop my bro and I off at the station and we would head downtown. The actual trains are safe in my opinion, but walking from your car to inside the station can be a little sketchy. I ride Marta because its Smarta! To and from airport is cool if you live near a station. I don't know if someone mentioned it, but Marta only goes into certain counties in the metro area and if you don't live in one of those counties then it isn't efficient to use. Hope this helps a little. Good Luck in school!

 

that's pretty cool. you're one of the first people that liked riding marta.

 

I'm not afraid, actually when I was in Junior High School and used Marta I would go with 2 or 3 people and when you are at that age people were probably afraid of us, but I guess it is all what you grew up around. I went to college in NY and I road the Subway often. Marta is definately nicer than the subway system, but not as nice as the Long Island Railroad. If you want info on those systems get on the NY chat room i'm sure you will get an interesting response on the mass transit systems. Hope this helps...