I certainly will give it another try, since the $ 6 round trip probably saves me on the parking and gas expense I would have going all the way to the city. Having taken MARTA this one time for a day trip, I think now it’s a great option to consider for people in the northern suburbs to use on the weekends and visit some sites in the city. The trains and stations were clean and easy to navigate. They weren’t crowded and I didn’t have any problem getting a seat (though I used it on a holiday, so this may not be accurate for rush hour commuting).
The trains I took both came and left exactly on time, which was much appreciated. It doesn’t have a massive number of routes or areas it covers, but for what it does cover it does a good job. In comparison to the transit systems in the other cities I’ve visited, I think MARTA is decent for what it offers. Let me say first, though, that I’m a big fan of rail transit and make it a point to learn the rail systems of many different cities I have visited in the US and Europe. I haven’t had many occasions to use MARTA, but today decided to take a day trip to downtown Atlanta to see the Braves game and didn’t want to deal with parking at the stadium. It just might not seem that way when you are looking for it. Despite what a previous reviewer said, you actually CAN reach this MARTA outside of the interstate. Eventually, I figured out you didn’t have to pay (unless you stayed over 24 hours), and it seemed like there was just so much parking for so little traffic. I guess, in a way, that sort of dissuades others from coming to this station. I thought you had to pay to park, since there is a garage immediately there where you have to pull a ticket. It was kind of confusing for me to find, at first, since I drove passed it on the interstate. This one seems to have less hobos and panhandlers than a majority of the other MARTAs around Atlanta I’ve frequented, so that’s a plus. I believe this is the farthest station, so at least it sort of goes beyond Atlanta. No security guards, no police officers… No one… Waited for a good half hour before the train came, but the absence of a guard was sort of worrisome. I went here on a Saturday morning, and there was one other person in the entire station. Just make sure that you handle your business prior to traveling, and limit those beverages. I had to race all the way to exit 7 in order to find an appropriate stop. How do you not have these simple modern conveniences in a place that serves the public? I seriously thought that my bladder would rupture as I waited for my husband’s «late» train. What? That’s right, there are no public restrooms and that is just mind boggling to me. I actually had to collect my husband from the station on one occasion and was shocked to be told that there are no public facilities. The ride back was just as efficient and parking was a snap. We arrived in record time and had a short walk to the campus. So glad I did! The train arrived on time, was clean and efficient. BUT IT’S MARTA! I had to just «woman up» and do the thing. She assured me that it would be easy and uneventful as she had done it several times. However, when my daughter informed me that she would like me to travel to the Georgia State campus with her (via Marta), I paused. A NEW ADVENTURE! I never really thought about riding Marta because I never really go to Atlanta.
0 kommentar(er)
