Straphanger!
You heard me, I called you a straphanger.
Straphanger is a nickname given to commuters on public transit. It originates from the late 1800s and stems from folks standing on the subway or bus, hanging on to the straps overhead. For you young'ens, those are now metal bars, except for some of the Atlantic Station shuttles, they still have straps.
“No sane man,” said a North-sider yesterday who has been a strap-hanger for years, “expects the street car lines to furnish seats for every passenger during the rush hour morning and evening.” Chicago Daily Tribune, 22 Feb 1896.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
C TRAN Countdown
We're at t-minus 24 hours til the end of C TRAN service and the AJC has run the following article:
C-TRAN reaches end of the line
I have to agree that it seems like Clayton County is trying to rid itself of its poor. Clayton is known for its poor, that's where they flocked to when they couldn't afford to live in the city any longer. And it makes it that much more disparate when you compare it to GRTA's service, which services 7,500 suburbanites who probably have cars a day while CTRAN serves 8,000 of the working poor, 65% of whom don't have access to cars. The articles states that "For [GRTA riders] transit is a matter of choice, not economic survival. Where 60 percent of C-Tran riders said their total household income was less than $25,000 a year, 49 percent of Xpress bus riders reported a household income of $75,000 or more, according to ridership surveys." Why does this matter? Because GRTA is state-subsidized. It falls under GDOT and therefore is the only state funded transit system in Georgia. Disparate impact much?
C-TRAN reaches end of the line
I have to agree that it seems like Clayton County is trying to rid itself of its poor. Clayton is known for its poor, that's where they flocked to when they couldn't afford to live in the city any longer. And it makes it that much more disparate when you compare it to GRTA's service, which services 7,500 suburbanites who probably have cars a day while CTRAN serves 8,000 of the working poor, 65% of whom don't have access to cars. The articles states that "For [GRTA riders] transit is a matter of choice, not economic survival. Where 60 percent of C-Tran riders said their total household income was less than $25,000 a year, 49 percent of Xpress bus riders reported a household income of $75,000 or more, according to ridership surveys." Why does this matter? Because GRTA is state-subsidized. It falls under GDOT and therefore is the only state funded transit system in Georgia. Disparate impact much?
One More Bill
Apparently I left a bill out of my transit rant from yesterday. Another viable option is still SB 39, which would amend Chapter 8 of Title 48 to provide a 1% sales tax to fund transportation projects in special transportation districts. AKA TSPLOSTs.
MARTA Facebook Fan Page
Did you know that MARTA has a Facebook Fan Page? You should find her, and be her fan (yes, MARTA is a girl. My declaration makes it so.)
I have this extreme urge to comment on everything people post on there, like this dude who doesn't understand why MARTA doesn't run 24 hours and why are there problems if MARTA gets revenue from ads "and other things." I feel this compulsion to explain to him that transit isn't paid for at the fare box or with those ads and that no system is self-sufficient and in order for it to go 24 hours it needs funding from the state, like every other major system out there. And that while they try very hard, it just isn't possible.
And I want to post my suspicions that they found that tourist attraction article on Examiner.com after reading my post from this morning.
And I want to find that idiot who asked if MARTA was going to give out letters to riders for being late to work on Ride MARTA day and smack him. Hard. Five times. With a baseball bat.
But I feel like I should refrain myself so people don't think I'm that crazy MARTA girl (yes, we all know I am, but if you're reading this nonsense, then obviously you've accepted it). Also, I feel like if I comment on everything, I loose credibility. And thirdly, it's the very nice people at MARTA's job to respond, not mine. And I'd hate to offend them, because I love them so.
And I *may* just have a really high affinity for MARTA, too.
I have this extreme urge to comment on everything people post on there, like this dude who doesn't understand why MARTA doesn't run 24 hours and why are there problems if MARTA gets revenue from ads "and other things." I feel this compulsion to explain to him that transit isn't paid for at the fare box or with those ads and that no system is self-sufficient and in order for it to go 24 hours it needs funding from the state, like every other major system out there. And that while they try very hard, it just isn't possible.
And I want to post my suspicions that they found that tourist attraction article on Examiner.com after reading my post from this morning.
And I want to find that idiot who asked if MARTA was going to give out letters to riders for being late to work on Ride MARTA day and smack him. Hard. Five times. With a baseball bat.
But I feel like I should refrain myself so people don't think I'm that crazy MARTA girl (yes, we all know I am, but if you're reading this nonsense, then obviously you've accepted it). Also, I feel like if I comment on everything, I loose credibility. And thirdly, it's the very nice people at MARTA's job to respond, not mine. And I'd hate to offend them, because I love them so.
And I *may* just have a really high affinity for MARTA, too.
MARTA Blogs
So the other night the other night the Accidental Commuter and I were talking, as usual, when she said, much to my horror, "Did you know there's another MARTA blog out there?"
"A what?!?!"
Aw heck no! I have cornered the market on MARTA blogs, this can not happen. I even thought I knew of all the MARTA blogs, that group consisting of this blog right here and JV over at That's MARTA! There's also some dumb one that we won't mention, in part because it's dumb, and in part because it hasn't been updated since 2005, therefore making it both dumb and dead. And since JV and I are cool, and, you know, she had a blog way before me, we're cool. I'll let her keep her blog. But what's this other MARTA blog nonsense?
Apparently there's some chick named Sara writing a guide book to Atlanta using MARTA, like how to get around; she also writes on MARTA for the Examiner.com. I have no clue who this chick is, but what she's doing is writing how to get around on MARTA, to get to things like a Braves game or the World of Coke. You can check it out at MARTA Guide.
"A what?!?!"
Aw heck no! I have cornered the market on MARTA blogs, this can not happen. I even thought I knew of all the MARTA blogs, that group consisting of this blog right here and JV over at That's MARTA! There's also some dumb one that we won't mention, in part because it's dumb, and in part because it hasn't been updated since 2005, therefore making it both dumb and dead. And since JV and I are cool, and, you know, she had a blog way before me, we're cool. I'll let her keep her blog. But what's this other MARTA blog nonsense?
Apparently there's some chick named Sara writing a guide book to Atlanta using MARTA, like how to get around; she also writes on MARTA for the Examiner.com. I have no clue who this chick is, but what she's doing is writing how to get around on MARTA, to get to things like a Braves game or the World of Coke. You can check it out at MARTA Guide.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Transit Funding - Again!
Yup, it's time for me to get back up on the transportation funding soapbox. Last Friday was cross-over day, the day when a bill, if it hasn't crossed over from the house to the senate or vise versa, it dies. So, let's take a look at the funding playing field now.
House Bill 1218, Governor Perdue's laughable attempt at a transportation funding solution is a casualty of last week. It relieved MARTA of it's 50/50 restriction on tax dollars from Fulton and Dekalb counties, but it didn't offer much else. After hanging out in the House, a MARTA exclusion had been tacked on, and due to some revisions, GP had even said he was going to veto it in its current form. So that now leaves us with HB 277, HR 206, and, I believe, SB 120 is still out there.
HB 277 - House Bill 277 amends Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia to create a 2020 Transportation Trust Fund Oversight Committee which will determine what to do with funds that would in part be gained from an additional 1% special transportation use and sales tax.
HR 206 - House Resolution 206 that does, in essence, the same thing with less fanfare, proposing an amendment to the state constitution to create a Transportation Trust Fund to levy a 1% sales and use tax and determine the use of those funds.
Also, Friday gave us HB 1393 which lifts the sales tax cap on Clayton County, allowing voters to pass a 1% sales tax to fund transit, much like Dekalb and Fulton counties do now. This could be a save for C-TRAN, which is desperately needed. A lot of people don't realize what a reduction or total loss of service of transit means. I've had this discussion with a coworker and she says people got along fine without MARTA 30 years ago. Well a lot of things have happened in those 30 years, and they still had buses which offered a level of service. Clayton County will have no service as of Wednesday.
So what?
Well, in a survey published by www.11alive.com, most C-TRAN riders will loose their jobs. See, a few years back, Atlanta razed all the projects in the name of progress and sent those people to Clayton County. Therefore, Clayton County is full of working poor. The working poor are those on minimum wage, and fall below the poverty line of $11,201 a year. These are people who have jobs, but can't afford cars. These are the people I work with at my shelter. So out of the 500 riders surveyed, 75% said they may loose their jobs and 52% may have to quit school. These are people who are trying to make their lives better, but are being forced to continue the cycle of poverty because of funding. People who went to school when they were laid-off. 61% use C-TRAN to get to work, 12% own a car. 54% of those riders are between the ages of 16 and 34 and 23% of them make less than $10,000 a year. 41% have some form of college education and 91% said they'd support an additional 1% sales tax devoted to transit. 92% are black.
Remember, though, that MARTA can't go into Clayton County because of it's charter, they actually were a vendor to the county for C-TRAN. How could they afford to operate in another county, anyways?
And just so we're clear, because I had to have this conversation this weekend with someone who I thought would know, transit is not paid for at the fare box. Period. It's not that MARTA is mismanaged or that enough people aren't riding, no transit system is self-sustaining, not MTA in New York or WMATA in DC, that's why they're all funded by the state, o, well, except for MARTA.
There are additional transit funding sources that are readily available out there. Things like TSPLOSTs, but those won't help soon enough, and the removal of the 50/50 stipulation is, while necessary, no longer enough to fix the problem. There's also the 1% sales tax on motor fuel which currently goes to the General Fund. I know, they need that money too, but it can help. As it stands, however, these moneys are only available for roads and bridges, and this would need to be changed so that all transportation purposes qualify.
And while I don't have the full scoop on this, apparently Dr. Beverly Scott, CEO of MARTA, also has proposed to sell MARTA property, like the rail yard, to the state, giving MARTA an instant source of cash. This could also make the state a share holder and giving it some of the control it seems desperate to have. I think it's actually a good plan.
So that's where we're at, best I can figure.
House Bill 1218, Governor Perdue's laughable attempt at a transportation funding solution is a casualty of last week. It relieved MARTA of it's 50/50 restriction on tax dollars from Fulton and Dekalb counties, but it didn't offer much else. After hanging out in the House, a MARTA exclusion had been tacked on, and due to some revisions, GP had even said he was going to veto it in its current form. So that now leaves us with HB 277, HR 206, and, I believe, SB 120 is still out there.
HB 277 - House Bill 277 amends Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia to create a 2020 Transportation Trust Fund Oversight Committee which will determine what to do with funds that would in part be gained from an additional 1% special transportation use and sales tax.
HR 206 - House Resolution 206 that does, in essence, the same thing with less fanfare, proposing an amendment to the state constitution to create a Transportation Trust Fund to levy a 1% sales and use tax and determine the use of those funds.
Also, Friday gave us HB 1393 which lifts the sales tax cap on Clayton County, allowing voters to pass a 1% sales tax to fund transit, much like Dekalb and Fulton counties do now. This could be a save for C-TRAN, which is desperately needed. A lot of people don't realize what a reduction or total loss of service of transit means. I've had this discussion with a coworker and she says people got along fine without MARTA 30 years ago. Well a lot of things have happened in those 30 years, and they still had buses which offered a level of service. Clayton County will have no service as of Wednesday.
So what?
Well, in a survey published by www.11alive.com, most C-TRAN riders will loose their jobs. See, a few years back, Atlanta razed all the projects in the name of progress and sent those people to Clayton County. Therefore, Clayton County is full of working poor. The working poor are those on minimum wage, and fall below the poverty line of $11,201 a year. These are people who have jobs, but can't afford cars. These are the people I work with at my shelter. So out of the 500 riders surveyed, 75% said they may loose their jobs and 52% may have to quit school. These are people who are trying to make their lives better, but are being forced to continue the cycle of poverty because of funding. People who went to school when they were laid-off. 61% use C-TRAN to get to work, 12% own a car. 54% of those riders are between the ages of 16 and 34 and 23% of them make less than $10,000 a year. 41% have some form of college education and 91% said they'd support an additional 1% sales tax devoted to transit. 92% are black.
Remember, though, that MARTA can't go into Clayton County because of it's charter, they actually were a vendor to the county for C-TRAN. How could they afford to operate in another county, anyways?
And just so we're clear, because I had to have this conversation this weekend with someone who I thought would know, transit is not paid for at the fare box. Period. It's not that MARTA is mismanaged or that enough people aren't riding, no transit system is self-sustaining, not MTA in New York or WMATA in DC, that's why they're all funded by the state, o, well, except for MARTA.
There are additional transit funding sources that are readily available out there. Things like TSPLOSTs, but those won't help soon enough, and the removal of the 50/50 stipulation is, while necessary, no longer enough to fix the problem. There's also the 1% sales tax on motor fuel which currently goes to the General Fund. I know, they need that money too, but it can help. As it stands, however, these moneys are only available for roads and bridges, and this would need to be changed so that all transportation purposes qualify.
And while I don't have the full scoop on this, apparently Dr. Beverly Scott, CEO of MARTA, also has proposed to sell MARTA property, like the rail yard, to the state, giving MARTA an instant source of cash. This could also make the state a share holder and giving it some of the control it seems desperate to have. I think it's actually a good plan.
So that's where we're at, best I can figure.
Best GDOT sign ever
So One and I were driving home from the movies last night and saw the most awesome GDOT sign. I couldn't get a picture of it, I just wasn't prepared and I'm pretty sure he wasn't going to like stopping in the middle of 75 south in the Grady curve to let me get my camera out. I'm going to keep an eye and a camera out for it, but in the meantime, here's by best attempt at transcription, 12 hours after the fact. Have y'all seen this?
Census Form Due April 1
Help Georgia get its share of Transportation Funding
Census Form Due April 1
Help Georgia get its share of Transportation Funding
Friday, March 26, 2010
MARTA loves TMiATL
I've been on my deathbed for a week, sorry for not posting. (Thanks AC for keeping up some!) I had the most wicked flu/ bronchitis I've ever had, I'd say it was worse than the time I had pneumonia (but that was like 15 years ago, so I'm not really a good judge), and I totally blame MARTA for this brush with death. Apparently MARTA has been passing around a particularly nasty virus and I caught it. We're not going into how, just know that I know people who know people and those people like trains. And they have a really fun nickname.
But the death flu isn't the only thing that MARTA has given me recently. Apparently he-who-shall-not-be-named-carrier-of-diseases has passed around this here blog a time or two to MARTA. And it caught on. And some folks in Marketing really liked it. And they invited me to come to Headquarters to hang out. And they gave me cool things that my own personal grim reaper is a little disgruntled over, like an awesome photo of an old bus and tokens. What can I say? MARTA likes me more. :)
But the MARTA folks were so nice and really excited about meeting little ole me; I felt like a celebrity. I'm not going to lie, though, it still cracks me up that the post they remember the most is The Boob Tap. I'm really excited to have met everyone, but they also made me a deal I couldn't refuse. They're looking to revamp their stock photos now that they have fancy new buses, bus shelters, and that ride-store wrap down at the airport. The kicker? They want me to bring my transit loving buddies and we get to be the star subjects of said photo shoot! I've drafted the Accidental Commuter and That's MARTA! but MARTA said something about diversity and three hot white girls in the 20 to 30 something range probably doesn't qualify. So we're gathering our diverse yet MARTA knowledgeable friends to join us for a photo shoot. I'm opening this to you, dear readers, but you should own a Breeze and ride MARTA more often than when I have a pub crawl. ;) MARTA wants people who know how to use the system. So if you're interested, and particularly if you're not a young, hot, white girl, leave a comment and we'll talk about making you a MARTA star.
But the death flu isn't the only thing that MARTA has given me recently. Apparently he-who-shall-not-be-named-carrier-of-diseases has passed around this here blog a time or two to MARTA. And it caught on. And some folks in Marketing really liked it. And they invited me to come to Headquarters to hang out. And they gave me cool things that my own personal grim reaper is a little disgruntled over, like an awesome photo of an old bus and tokens. What can I say? MARTA likes me more. :)
But the MARTA folks were so nice and really excited about meeting little ole me; I felt like a celebrity. I'm not going to lie, though, it still cracks me up that the post they remember the most is The Boob Tap. I'm really excited to have met everyone, but they also made me a deal I couldn't refuse. They're looking to revamp their stock photos now that they have fancy new buses, bus shelters, and that ride-store wrap down at the airport. The kicker? They want me to bring my transit loving buddies and we get to be the star subjects of said photo shoot! I've drafted the Accidental Commuter and That's MARTA! but MARTA said something about diversity and three hot white girls in the 20 to 30 something range probably doesn't qualify. So we're gathering our diverse yet MARTA knowledgeable friends to join us for a photo shoot. I'm opening this to you, dear readers, but you should own a Breeze and ride MARTA more often than when I have a pub crawl. ;) MARTA wants people who know how to use the system. So if you're interested, and particularly if you're not a young, hot, white girl, leave a comment and we'll talk about making you a MARTA star.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Bad Spelling Scavenger Hunt
I have an idea. I just posted something on our Facebook fan page (be a joiner!) about really wanting someone to take a picture of the sign that reads "Georgian Terrance Hotel" at the North Avenue MARTA station. I can't do math, I was born without a sense of direction and I don't do technology very well. But I can spell and that sign cracks me up. How many people do you think saw that thing before they hung it up at the station? You know those stupid emails that get passed around that say something about you can recnogzie tihs wrod bacuese it has all of the same letters as the intended word and because the first and last letters are in the correct place your brain automatically decodes it? The premise is that we don't actually pay attention to every letter of the words that we read everyday. That's a load of crap. If it were true then we wouldn't be able to recognize misspellings. We process every letter of every word that we read, we just do it at such an incredibly fast rate (milliseconds) that we don't know we're doing it. Anyway, I would love for someone to get that picture and post it on here (can they do that CCT Girl? This world of blogging and camera phones and the interwebs is still so strange and confusing to me). I would try to do it myself since I have my new kick-ass phone that can take pictures and do my taxes and fold my laundry but that would involve getting off of the train at North Avenue, making sure that I am on the correct side of the tracks (which I can promise you would totally not happen), taking said picture, and figuring out how to transfer it from my phone to my Mac to this blog. The probability of me being able to handle just one or two out of these four steps is highly unlikely, much less being able to carry them ALL out successfully. There are probably actually more than four steps but I just didn't count them up right.
I know that the subject line of this includes the term "scavenger hunt" like there is a prize or something. This should be intrinsically rewarding. Or we could promise to really like you. Personally, I already like you for reading our blog and for taking an interest in saving the world through public transportation. So in my book, you're already a winner. I just need you to take a picture for me.
I know that the subject line of this includes the term "scavenger hunt" like there is a prize or something. This should be intrinsically rewarding. Or we could promise to really like you. Personally, I already like you for reading our blog and for taking an interest in saving the world through public transportation. So in my book, you're already a winner. I just need you to take a picture for me.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Your Weekly Transit Photo Blog!
To begin this week's transit photos, let me introduce you to The Preacher.
The Preacher may be one of MARTA's most notorious crazies because he is a rush hour commuter crazy. This fella doesn't hide in the obscure hours, oh no, he's on the train during prime time to tell you all about how no one can judge you but God and that God will take care of you and give you jobs you don't deserve if you trust in Him. The Preacher is always dressed colorfully and talks non-stop. If all else fails, he is consistent!
* I know MARTA's not really pro-population control. I am, and this sign makes me laugh. Particularly after riding the Number Two after a drink or two.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Newfound Faith
Looks like MARTA doesn't *kill* the pigeons, I was wrong. Sorry for conspiring to hold a pigeon rally, MARTA. I'll also ax that petition and Facebook group to save Atlanta's pigeons. Guess I need to get back in touch with PETA, too, call them off.
Maybe my feathery commuter is out there, somewhere, eating another poptart and waiting for his big break on Mike Tyson's new show after all.
I miss you, little pigeon dude.
Maybe my feathery commuter is out there, somewhere, eating another poptart and waiting for his big break on Mike Tyson's new show after all.
I miss you, little pigeon dude.
Words to Know
As we continue on with our series of words to know, we're going to diverge for a moment and hop an imaginary plane over to Asia to examine how the Chinese think about transit. For those of you who don't know, following a scholarship program and a year of Mandarin courses in college, I went to China to hang out for a little while, try out my new language skills and all. Now, many years later, I talk to myself in Chinese so I can retain these mad language skills. I feel like knowing Chinese is a useful skill, and don't want to loose it.
That being said, last night, as I was talking to myself, I realized something. I realized that the Chinese like trains. A lot. A whole lot. Now when I was over there, I did take trains quite often around the country. In fact, my first trip in a sleeper car was from Shanghai to Guilin. They rely much more heavily on transit than we do in America, much like the rest of the world. But why do I say the Chinese love trains so much?
Because the Mandarin word for "go" is 去. Yea, I know that means nothing to most of you. But the pin yin for this character is "qu", which for you Americans is pronounced "choo." So in China, if you want to go somewhere, it's by choo choo!
That being said, last night, as I was talking to myself, I realized something. I realized that the Chinese like trains. A lot. A whole lot. Now when I was over there, I did take trains quite often around the country. In fact, my first trip in a sleeper car was from Shanghai to Guilin. They rely much more heavily on transit than we do in America, much like the rest of the world. But why do I say the Chinese love trains so much?
Because the Mandarin word for "go" is 去. Yea, I know that means nothing to most of you. But the pin yin for this character is "qu", which for you Americans is pronounced "choo." So in China, if you want to go somewhere, it's by choo choo!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
March MARTA Musings
So CCT Girl recently pointed out to me that it's been quite a while since I posted anything. I would really love to say that it's because I'm so busy with school, and that's partly it but it's mostly because I have recently found other ways of channeling my proclivity to procrastination. For example, I have a test tomorrow which is going to cover quite a range of information. But CCT Girl bought me some very fancy-pants eye makeup for my birthday (complete with lesson performed on the back of her hand). That was on Sunday and I have yet to properly apply said makeup and let her know how it went. I think that's on the list just above cracking a book. And then there's my new phone. It takes pictures and you can send them to other people like right away. I don't really need a phone that does this, but apparently the Jitterbug is the only device on the market without this feature.
The other, bigger reason why I haven't posted much lately is that CCT Girl is a responsible blogger who keeps herself informed on all things MARTA and strives to disseminate her acquired information to others. I don't really have the drive, the contacts, and the time to stay in the loop like that. She has a lot to say and I just like to bitch. About Breeze cards, why MARTA hates pigeons, why I still don't have any street cred despite commuting to Five Points four days a week, people making out on MARTA, how men on MARTA talk to each other about women and how we "all are" right in front of me like I'm some kind of asexual cyborg, and why the Mansell Park and Ride needs more publicity so that I don't have to be a one-woman shuttle for family members who need to get to the airport (don't worry, I still totally make their asses take the train from North Springs, but it would've been cool if I had known a while ago that I could tell them to use the Park and Ride).
Please understand that I care about the issues. I think that the fact that Clayton County will no longer have bus service is really sad and I feel for all of the people who depend on that system to get to work, get their kids to the doctor, do their grocery shopping, etc. But I can't remember what Clayton County calls its transit system and I don't like to take a stand unless I have all of the details. (Yeah, I'm taking a stand but I got a chance to point out my ignorance first, which makes it ok). I think that the budget deficit is very frightening but my political views are a complete 180 from most of the folks who blame the State of Georgia for MARTA's financial woes. I don't like getting into arguments, especially of the online, anonymous nature. It's like road rage. People can get crazy-rude whilst commenting on blogs.
Finally, I have a tendency to ramble and lose my train of thought and completely forget what my point was when I blog. CCT Girl has points. And pictures, videos, stats, charts, graphs and links. So while I'm flattered to be part of this blog, I'm never going to be the kind of contributor that she is. The blog's new fan page on Facebook (if you're not a fan please become one immediately, thx) states that the blog is about two girls who are new to the world of transit. I'm kind of like the blog's flakey older sister who can't remember Mom's birthday and leaves the coffeemaker on all day. I figured that I would clear up some confusion about who the other half (which is more like the other 10%) of the blog is. And deep down I know that I'm not supposed to end sentences with "is" but it just gives me a cheap thrill.
CCTgirl?
Someone who shall remain nameless said I need to be writing about CCT more, since that is my namesake. When I started this blog I lived in Cobb County, along Cobb Parkway, and rode the CCT more. Part of the name and the initial purpose of this blog came from all the blunders I was experiencing on CCT, like missing the bus because it was early, loosing money in the Breeze machine, learning the hard way that it doesn't run on Sundays, and craziness in general.
Since then I have moved ITP, to East Point to be exact. However, my job is still in Cobb County, so I'm still getting on that CCT express bus *hopefully* in the mornings and evenings. And while I still love my bus and the folks on it, the blog has taken on much more of a MARTA slant. Frankly, I'm on MARTA more now. And also the new bus driver on the 10b in the mornings is awesome. I need to get his name and write CCT about how cool he is. After I had to call him out that one time for not going to my office because, "No one there rides this bus," he and I get along well now. And if I catch him on the evenings on the 50, I'm happy to see him. He is by far one of the most efficient drivers I've met, but I'm not sure I like the fact that he gets me to the office ten minutes early. That's loss of sleep for me. But I'm not getting any good CCT stories because my commutes have been nothing if not perfectly smooth. And right now, I feel like MARTA needs me more to raise awareness of it's funding issues.
We'll have to see what happens to CCT when Sam Olens leaves to pursue his race for Attorney General. I kinda hate to see him leave Cobb County, because frankly, he's been damn good at his job of County Commissioner, and from what I've heard, I'm not too sure how his chances of winning this election are. It seems like he has some good competition. So if CCTgirl seems a little MARTAgirl, I'm sorry, CCT is just kicking my butt. I can't poke fun at a system that runs beautifully (at least when I'm on it), and, as far as I can tell, doesn't seem to have a mission against pigeons.
Since then I have moved ITP, to East Point to be exact. However, my job is still in Cobb County, so I'm still getting on that CCT express bus *hopefully* in the mornings and evenings. And while I still love my bus and the folks on it, the blog has taken on much more of a MARTA slant. Frankly, I'm on MARTA more now. And also the new bus driver on the 10b in the mornings is awesome. I need to get his name and write CCT about how cool he is. After I had to call him out that one time for not going to my office because, "No one there rides this bus," he and I get along well now. And if I catch him on the evenings on the 50, I'm happy to see him. He is by far one of the most efficient drivers I've met, but I'm not sure I like the fact that he gets me to the office ten minutes early. That's loss of sleep for me. But I'm not getting any good CCT stories because my commutes have been nothing if not perfectly smooth. And right now, I feel like MARTA needs me more to raise awareness of it's funding issues.
We'll have to see what happens to CCT when Sam Olens leaves to pursue his race for Attorney General. I kinda hate to see him leave Cobb County, because frankly, he's been damn good at his job of County Commissioner, and from what I've heard, I'm not too sure how his chances of winning this election are. It seems like he has some good competition. So if CCTgirl seems a little MARTAgirl, I'm sorry, CCT is just kicking my butt. I can't poke fun at a system that runs beautifully (at least when I'm on it), and, as far as I can tell, doesn't seem to have a mission against pigeons.
Proposed CCT Cuts
We know MARTA is facing some severe cuts from bus miles to service hours and staff, but how are other transit systems in the region fairing? Of course, on Wednesday, March 31st, C-TRAN will straight up stop running, and in a little over a year, GRTA will be all out of funding as well. So where does that leave my namesake, CCT?
CCT seems to be doing a little bit better than most due to it's conservative management. They've purchased some new buses and have added a new route, the 35, which started in January. But that doesn't mean they aren't looking at cuts, either. CCT recently announced proposed cuts to the 40, 65, and 70. They're not going to kill these routes, just reduce the reduce the number of trips in the case of the 65 and 70, and redirect the 40. I can see why they're redirecting the 40, it will actually increase CCT's coverage of Marietta and those areas they are cutting out will still be served by other routes.
On the other hand, the reductions in service of the 70 and in particular the 65 confound me. CCT is proposing to cut the mid-day service to these routes during the week. Out of these two routes, the only one I've ridden around on is the 65, down Roswell Road. This is one of the main roads for Cobb County, and it's the only route that services East Cobb. This is one of my buddy's daily routes to work, and he says that while it won't really effect him, around ten folks get on it with him in the mornings. I guess he won't be making any daytime errands, though.
For the 70, this means that during the day, there won't be any service to the Wal-Mart in Powder Springs, nor the Department of Driver Services or the Cobb County Health Center from 8:30 until 4:00. These seem like crucial service (yea, yea, people need groceries, folks, and medicine). You're still be able to get to the hospital, but that'll require taking the 35, which means, if you live in Cumberland, you'll have to go all the way to the MTC to catch the bus.
There are still community meetings regarding these proposed changes, and you can find out about them by going to CCT's website, but I actually couldn't find them, I had to ask:
CCT Public Meetings
There's also a comment period open until April 27th. You can e-mail your thoughts to the CCT manager, Rebecca Gutowsky. Remember, be nice. The angry people at these meetings who yell and won't listen and aren't constructive drive me bonkers.
CCT seems to be doing a little bit better than most due to it's conservative management. They've purchased some new buses and have added a new route, the 35, which started in January. But that doesn't mean they aren't looking at cuts, either. CCT recently announced proposed cuts to the 40, 65, and 70. They're not going to kill these routes, just reduce the reduce the number of trips in the case of the 65 and 70, and redirect the 40. I can see why they're redirecting the 40, it will actually increase CCT's coverage of Marietta and those areas they are cutting out will still be served by other routes.
On the other hand, the reductions in service of the 70 and in particular the 65 confound me. CCT is proposing to cut the mid-day service to these routes during the week. Out of these two routes, the only one I've ridden around on is the 65, down Roswell Road. This is one of the main roads for Cobb County, and it's the only route that services East Cobb. This is one of my buddy's daily routes to work, and he says that while it won't really effect him, around ten folks get on it with him in the mornings. I guess he won't be making any daytime errands, though.
For the 70, this means that during the day, there won't be any service to the Wal-Mart in Powder Springs, nor the Department of Driver Services or the Cobb County Health Center from 8:30 until 4:00. These seem like crucial service (yea, yea, people need groceries, folks, and medicine). You're still be able to get to the hospital, but that'll require taking the 35, which means, if you live in Cumberland, you'll have to go all the way to the MTC to catch the bus.
There are still community meetings regarding these proposed changes, and you can find out about them by going to CCT's website, but I actually couldn't find them, I had to ask:
CCT Public Meetings
There's also a comment period open until April 27th. You can e-mail your thoughts to the CCT manager, Rebecca Gutowsky. Remember, be nice. The angry people at these meetings who yell and won't listen and aren't constructive drive me bonkers.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
What MARTA needs
is some busking. Let's check out what the interwebs have to tell us about the art of busking.
To busk, a British term, is to entertain by dancing, singing, or reciting on the street or a public place, usually while soliciting money. The word originates from the 1850s and is in part derived from the french term busker to cruise or shift as a pirate, generally looking for prostitutes, and y'all know I like pirates (and prostitutes!).
Some examples, if you please:
Some band called Metro Station (how appropriate) busking on the MTA.
I'm still trying to figure out where the rest of the orchestra is.
Variety!
Lots of famous people have been known to busk occasionally, from Paul McCartney to Sting, Bon Jovi, and Bruce Springsteen. Not too long ago Moby got some flak for hitting up a London tube station and only making 5 pounds (yes, I'm too lazy to figure out how to use that fancy L).
Everyone is familiar with the concept, if not the term. It's the folks who are out in city streets, parks, and subway stations playing music or doing magic tricks or miming with a bucket, hat, or open guitar case to collect tips. I have seen some fantastic buskers, from a 12 piece band in New Orleans to a man being blown away in York, but not here, in Atlanta. And don't you tell me we don't have any creative folks or certainly musicians in this city. So where are they? Don't tell me they're all up in Def Jams working on their albums, or waiting on the next American Idol tryouts.
London and New York have learned to capitalize on busking. They hold auditions and issue permits so that they can guarantee the quality of the buskers, and London has spaces designated for them painted off in the stations (look for them in the videos posted above). (I tried to find out more about the process on MTA's website, but honestly, their site is as about as negotiable as my tax forms, so I gave up. After two minutes, more or less. Go MARTA for usability!) But the buskers on those systems are good and can make that commute a little bit better, since MARTA won't let the pigeons hang out, I need some form of entertainment, and there aren't always crazies around to watch.
Busking isn't illegal, it's a constitutional right, free speech or something like that, and I think it could liven up MARTA's image. People don't realize how awesome MARTA is (I am not biased, thank you) and this could be a draw. They could hold auditions, publicize them, make it a big deal. Then we could get some quality entertainment in the stations. There's SCAD, the Atlanta Institute of Music, Georgia State in this city; there is lots of quality to be had. You could even make Five Points an art gallery and students could have rotating shows. And artists could paint the designated busking spaces for MARTA, too.
So MARTA, if you're reading this (maybe any people from, say, the Marketing department??? ;) I'm proposing we do this. We can advertise it on Facebook, since MARTA has a fan page, and in the AJC or something, and have auditions for permits to busk. I don't know who they'll want to judge, I can imagine they could get some people the arts scene here in the city, like from Woodruff, and have them do it, or I can arrange something for them (I know a thing or two about music. Just two.) It shouldn't cost anything and might just help with that MARTA cool factor. People might even start throwing bras around the stations. Who wouldn't at this dude?
To busk, a British term, is to entertain by dancing, singing, or reciting on the street or a public place, usually while soliciting money. The word originates from the 1850s and is in part derived from the french term busker to cruise or shift as a pirate, generally looking for prostitutes, and y'all know I like pirates (and prostitutes!).
Some examples, if you please:
Some band called Metro Station (how appropriate) busking on the MTA.
I'm still trying to figure out where the rest of the orchestra is.
Variety!
Lots of famous people have been known to busk occasionally, from Paul McCartney to Sting, Bon Jovi, and Bruce Springsteen. Not too long ago Moby got some flak for hitting up a London tube station and only making 5 pounds (yes, I'm too lazy to figure out how to use that fancy L).
Everyone is familiar with the concept, if not the term. It's the folks who are out in city streets, parks, and subway stations playing music or doing magic tricks or miming with a bucket, hat, or open guitar case to collect tips. I have seen some fantastic buskers, from a 12 piece band in New Orleans to a man being blown away in York, but not here, in Atlanta. And don't you tell me we don't have any creative folks or certainly musicians in this city. So where are they? Don't tell me they're all up in Def Jams working on their albums, or waiting on the next American Idol tryouts.
London and New York have learned to capitalize on busking. They hold auditions and issue permits so that they can guarantee the quality of the buskers, and London has spaces designated for them painted off in the stations (look for them in the videos posted above). (I tried to find out more about the process on MTA's website, but honestly, their site is as about as negotiable as my tax forms, so I gave up. After two minutes, more or less. Go MARTA for usability!) But the buskers on those systems are good and can make that commute a little bit better, since MARTA won't let the pigeons hang out, I need some form of entertainment, and there aren't always crazies around to watch.
Busking isn't illegal, it's a constitutional right, free speech or something like that, and I think it could liven up MARTA's image. People don't realize how awesome MARTA is (I am not biased, thank you) and this could be a draw. They could hold auditions, publicize them, make it a big deal. Then we could get some quality entertainment in the stations. There's SCAD, the Atlanta Institute of Music, Georgia State in this city; there is lots of quality to be had. You could even make Five Points an art gallery and students could have rotating shows. And artists could paint the designated busking spaces for MARTA, too.
So MARTA, if you're reading this (maybe any people from, say, the Marketing department??? ;) I'm proposing we do this. We can advertise it on Facebook, since MARTA has a fan page, and in the AJC or something, and have auditions for permits to busk. I don't know who they'll want to judge, I can imagine they could get some people the arts scene here in the city, like from Woodruff, and have them do it, or I can arrange something for them (I know a thing or two about music. Just two.) It shouldn't cost anything and might just help with that MARTA cool factor. People might even start throwing bras around the stations. Who wouldn't at this dude?
A memorial to my feathery commuting friend
I will miss you.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Weekly Transit Photos
Pretend this was posted Friday, on the normal photo op day for me, will ya? I appreciate it!
Dum dum dum - time for your weekly photos! What crazy crap did I see this week? For starters, I have seen some questionably dressed women and a gentleman who apparently couldn't hold it on the train any longer. Someone should tell him the stations have restrooms, and they're actually pretty clean (go MARTA!). But I have decided that I'm not mean, so I'm not taking pictures of people to poke fun of. Only crazies. Or crazy signage, like today's images:
See, this is how the warnings on MARTA trains used to look. Small, concise, don't smoke, or play your radio, or talk to the operator, or bring an uncaged, non-seeing eye dog pet on MARTA. And no train hopping. However, they've gone to sticking big ole sticker up there:
C-TRAN is probably dead because the County Commission doesn't want to save it. They were given options, they didn't care. They suck. But service stops on March 31st, and I feel bad for the people who depend on C-TRAN. Foreshadowing of MARTA's future? Maybe....
This morning I commuted with this fellow, who had a poptart for breakfast. Spotted on the North bound platform.
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He is not shy, but people scurried from him like he would attack. On the other hand, if you look closely, you will see that his little feet are badly mangled so that he's basically walking on the tops of his claws. There were also a lot of feather lying around, so this little commuter is not doing well. If you see him, trap him, stick him in a box, and call/message me or call Michael at AWAREone.org.
Dum dum dum - time for your weekly photos! What crazy crap did I see this week? For starters, I have seen some questionably dressed women and a gentleman who apparently couldn't hold it on the train any longer. Someone should tell him the stations have restrooms, and they're actually pretty clean (go MARTA!). But I have decided that I'm not mean, so I'm not taking pictures of people to poke fun of. Only crazies. Or crazy signage, like today's images:
So leave your guns at home, plus all your food, and don't attack a MARTA employee. I guess you can assault other passengers all you want. PS - RADIOS ARE STILL UNLAWFUL. Buy some headphones.
A few posts ago I talked about the Number Two, and how along its route is the last remaining street car shelter. The other day I was on the two and attempted to take a picture of said shelter. This is a hard task from a moving bus. However, if you look to the far right, you can see the wooden shelter. This summer, when those bushes are blooming, I will take a real photo. Hopefully before the route disappears.
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Obsessions
I have two obsessions, Etsy.com and transit. As a psychologist, I can safely diagnose myself with Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, not quite OCD, but definitely show a tendency towards obsessions. (And you are not allowed to use this against me!) As a kid it was any sword-swinging superhero (holla to my She-ra fans!) and Egyptology. Now, as I've matured, it looks like transit is my new thing.
I tell you this because occasionally I go to etsy.com and type in the word train. I find AWESOME stuff there. But the most awesomest, I have to say, are these:
Most rad earrings ever
Therefore, you should buy some for yourself or your woman. Or man. Or buy me the matching necklace. Whatever. Derrick is awesome, give him all your moneys.
And yes, I did have them customized and they totally say CCTgirl. I am SO cool.
PRINCESS OF POWER!
I tell you this because occasionally I go to etsy.com and type in the word train. I find AWESOME stuff there. But the most awesomest, I have to say, are these:
Most rad earrings ever
Therefore, you should buy some for yourself or your woman. Or man. Or buy me the matching necklace. Whatever. Derrick is awesome, give him all your moneys.
And yes, I did have them customized and they totally say CCTgirl. I am SO cool.
PRINCESS OF POWER!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Bus Bridge Awesomeness
Sometimes MARTA has some track problems that cause them to close a station or a section of track competely; this is no single tracking business at all. They do this for major problems, like flooded tracks, crazy people going for strolls down the tunnels, and suspicious packages (aka bomb imposters). I think they also do this for the MARTA employee picnics, so they can use the third rail for cooking hot dogs and hamburgers. I hear it's a rapid cook sort of deal. Feed the masses in minutes so they can get back in their buses and drive me down Ponce.
But what happens when MARTA closes a portion of the track or when they're hungry? Can you go no further towards your destination of choice, thereby having to call work and call in MARTA? O no, folks, MARTA comes to the rescue with the Bus Bridge.
Now, I've never actually experienced a bus bridge before. The one time it was an option for me, Two got us a zip car instead, totally killing my chances of bus bridging. So I can't say from experience what exactly it is, I can just tell you my understanding of it as a transit novice.
When bridging, the buses ferry passengers to bridge the gap in train service. So when there's a closure on the train line, the train will stop at the furthest most station and the helpful station agents and MARTA police will kindly, and friendly, kick you off. They may not tell you why there's a closure, it's not really their job. They just make you go away. It's an exercise in Rider Herding, and I hear that's pretty close to herding cats. I mean, when we were faced with the bridging awesomeness, Two and I went upstairs, tottled around, played with our phones, and then went back down and got on the train to go south again. We were a herding fail. Sorry MARTA.
Once the passengers hop on a bus, I suppose whichever one is just idling around outside the station, the handy dandy driver takes them to the next station so they can get back on a train to go where ever. I bet it's pretty rad. I don't know if they take a normal route or an extra special bridge route, but I'm hoping for the latter.
So I'm anxiously awaiting the next MARTA picnic or bomb threat or something so I can ride on a bus bridge. But if you're ever faced with it, you shouldn't worry, assuming you don't stray from the herd.
But what happens when MARTA closes a portion of the track or when they're hungry? Can you go no further towards your destination of choice, thereby having to call work and call in MARTA? O no, folks, MARTA comes to the rescue with the Bus Bridge.
Now, I've never actually experienced a bus bridge before. The one time it was an option for me, Two got us a zip car instead, totally killing my chances of bus bridging. So I can't say from experience what exactly it is, I can just tell you my understanding of it as a transit novice.
When bridging, the buses ferry passengers to bridge the gap in train service. So when there's a closure on the train line, the train will stop at the furthest most station and the helpful station agents and MARTA police will kindly, and friendly, kick you off. They may not tell you why there's a closure, it's not really their job. They just make you go away. It's an exercise in Rider Herding, and I hear that's pretty close to herding cats. I mean, when we were faced with the bridging awesomeness, Two and I went upstairs, tottled around, played with our phones, and then went back down and got on the train to go south again. We were a herding fail. Sorry MARTA.
Once the passengers hop on a bus, I suppose whichever one is just idling around outside the station, the handy dandy driver takes them to the next station so they can get back on a train to go where ever. I bet it's pretty rad. I don't know if they take a normal route or an extra special bridge route, but I'm hoping for the latter.
So I'm anxiously awaiting the next MARTA picnic or bomb threat or something so I can ride on a bus bridge. But if you're ever faced with it, you shouldn't worry, assuming you don't stray from the herd.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Performance Anxiety
I don't know how to follow up that last post. It's just daughting. I mean, The Boob Tap got more hits than any other post I've yet to write, followed in close second by me getting attacked by a homeless dude at Five Points. I'm not sure what that says about y'all.
For the most part, my rides this week have been rather uneventful, my buses timely. In fact, the new dude on the 10b in the mornings gets us to work early. I'm not sure this is a good thing. Some bus driver has hit the MARTA number 12 bus shelter at Cumberland. The roof is bent up. The bus last night had some jacked up tires. All in all, a pretty good week so far.
But I have been getting hit on a lot lately. Dudes have apparently not taken my MARTA Dating Advice to heart. I got one fella, Dwayne, who introduced himself. He was nice. But I was reading. One guy who gets points for checking out my tats and asking what they said. And one dude who needs to be taken out back and shot. For real. This old man had the following conversation with me, while I was reading my book, no less:
"You smell good."
"Uh, thanks."
"You got a man."
"Yup."
"Your man black?"
"Ah, no."
"You want a black man?"
"I'm good, thanks."
"I'll be your black man. I'll make you squirt. Your man make you squirt?"
Dude, really? That is not how you pick up chicks. Not at all. I mean, does any self-respecting woman fall for that? Ew. Just ew.
I'm kinda embarassed for posting this. But it happened.
Ew.
For the most part, my rides this week have been rather uneventful, my buses timely. In fact, the new dude on the 10b in the mornings gets us to work early. I'm not sure this is a good thing. Some bus driver has hit the MARTA number 12 bus shelter at Cumberland. The roof is bent up. The bus last night had some jacked up tires. All in all, a pretty good week so far.
But I have been getting hit on a lot lately. Dudes have apparently not taken my MARTA Dating Advice to heart. I got one fella, Dwayne, who introduced himself. He was nice. But I was reading. One guy who gets points for checking out my tats and asking what they said. And one dude who needs to be taken out back and shot. For real. This old man had the following conversation with me, while I was reading my book, no less:
"You smell good."
"Uh, thanks."
"You got a man."
"Yup."
"Your man black?"
"Ah, no."
"You want a black man?"
"I'm good, thanks."
"I'll be your black man. I'll make you squirt. Your man make you squirt?"
Dude, really? That is not how you pick up chicks. Not at all. I mean, does any self-respecting woman fall for that? Ew. Just ew.
I'm kinda embarassed for posting this. But it happened.
Ew.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Boob Tap
Friday night That's MARTA! and I went out on the town. We met at Five Points and walked to the Elliot Street Pub, which is where a bunch of the transit oriented hang out. That's not the point of this post, though, the point is that we got into a conversation which lead us down the path of The Boob Tap.
See, girls will stick stuff in our bras, especially when we are wearing dress pants or skirts and have no pockets. I hate pocket books and they're not a speedy way to store stuff. Bras are. The two main things that go in there are my cell phone and my Breeze card. Among those girls talking at the bar, we all agreed, Breeze cards are best stored via bra. I'm always terrified the thing is going to fall out of my pants pocket so I check it constantly if I stick it there. And I have lost the thing a couple of times. Not permanently, but it's been missing before, for sure. Things stay pretty secure in a bra.
So this led us to discussing the possibility of The Boob Tap. That's right, tapping in or out without removing the card. Well, this morning there weren't too many people hanging around Kensington Station, so I Boob Tapped. It totally works. I'm sure it looks funny as all get out, but now I can use my tatas for the power of transit.
See, girls will stick stuff in our bras, especially when we are wearing dress pants or skirts and have no pockets. I hate pocket books and they're not a speedy way to store stuff. Bras are. The two main things that go in there are my cell phone and my Breeze card. Among those girls talking at the bar, we all agreed, Breeze cards are best stored via bra. I'm always terrified the thing is going to fall out of my pants pocket so I check it constantly if I stick it there. And I have lost the thing a couple of times. Not permanently, but it's been missing before, for sure. Things stay pretty secure in a bra.
So this led us to discussing the possibility of The Boob Tap. That's right, tapping in or out without removing the card. Well, this morning there weren't too many people hanging around Kensington Station, so I Boob Tapped. It totally works. I'm sure it looks funny as all get out, but now I can use my tatas for the power of transit.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Yup, I stoled it
But I think it's wildly interesting. So, from the MARTA facebook page, what the heck that logo means:
MARTA’s 3-color scheme of Orange, Yellow and Blue acknowledged Atlanta’s transit history. The Georgia Railway and Power Co. (formed in 1902) owned blue and yellow buses. After the transit strike of 1950, the Atlanta Transit Company took over operations and they owned orange buses.
I love it, and think it's perfect.
MARTA’s 3-color scheme of Orange, Yellow and Blue acknowledged Atlanta’s transit history. The Georgia Railway and Power Co. (formed in 1902) owned blue and yellow buses. After the transit strike of 1950, the Atlanta Transit Company took over operations and they owned orange buses.
I love it, and think it's perfect.
New Blog Project
I'm addicted to blogging. So I've started a new one, to run along side this one, my first true love. Check it:
http://missionplastic.blogspot.com/
http://missionplastic.blogspot.com/
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Bras!!!
That's right. This is a blog post about bras. Bras and transit. I'm pretty sure, it might be the coolest blog post ever. At least if you're a transit nerd.
So, how do bras and transit go together? Are train operators like rock stars and girls through their panties on stage (or, uhm, their little box) to them? Is it cool to dangle your bras from the poles on the bus like it's a trashy dive bar?
MARTA might be cooler and more popular if this were the case, and the operators would most likely never be disgruntled, but sadly, no, not really.
But, MARTA's annex offices are housed in an old bra factory. I thought this was a very cool fact. Therefore, I share.
And in other bra/transit news, my favorite bra is the Kennsington by Prima Donna. It may be my favorite bra because it's pretty and it makes me feel sexy, but it's probably my favorite bra because I get on the train at Kennsington Station. It is also a Tube station.
Why yes, I am that much of a dork.
So, how do bras and transit go together? Are train operators like rock stars and girls through their panties on stage (or, uhm, their little box) to them? Is it cool to dangle your bras from the poles on the bus like it's a trashy dive bar?
MARTA might be cooler and more popular if this were the case, and the operators would most likely never be disgruntled, but sadly, no, not really.
But, MARTA's annex offices are housed in an old bra factory. I thought this was a very cool fact. Therefore, I share.
And in other bra/transit news, my favorite bra is the Kennsington by Prima Donna. It may be my favorite bra because it's pretty and it makes me feel sexy, but it's probably my favorite bra because I get on the train at Kennsington Station. It is also a Tube station.
Why yes, I am that much of a dork.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
A Memorial to the number Two
If you weren't aware, MARTA is facing some severe (Draconian!) cuts. (And, if you weren't aware, you live under a rock. And obviously don't read my blog often enough!) The vast majority of these, outside of reducing train operating hours, will be bus cuts. Drastic bus cuts. And the folks at MARTA have thought long and hard about how to organize these cuts so that they're the least disruptive to riders. They're holding forums and taking into consideration what the people are saying. I mean, these planners are really trying.
But they're cutting the Number Two.
The Number Two isn't one of my regular buses. It could be, but they don't actually run at a time that works for me in the morning. But it's a route I do take on occasion and am rather fond of. The Two runs down Ponce from North Ave to Avondale and it is a historical route, it follows the old street car line. In fact, one of the Two's bus stops, down by East Lake, is actually the last remaining street car stop. So I feel a little heart broken.
Don't get me wrong, most of that area will still be served by the redirected Number Six, but the Two is such a fun route down Ponce. All the best parts of Atlanta are down there, Eats, the Local, Green's, the Clermont. All the coolest people ride the Two (like that dude who stared at me while I ate at Eats not too long ago), and some great stories came off that line. Stories like the one about the bus driver who's evening poker game was robbed. The next day, one of the punks who robbed him got on his bus, the Number Two, so the driver took him straight to the police station.
Or Harry, my favorite Ponce story. Harry Brown was a well-known body builder in the 60's, winning national competitions. Well, Harry lived on Ponce, Ponce Place to be exact. One night, as Harry and a friend waited on the bus, the driver just kept on going and missed picking up Harry and his friend. (Like bus driver's ever do that!) So what is a fella like Harry to do?
Harry ran down Ponce and beat the Two to the next bus stop so he could wait on the bus like any nice rider. However, as he boarded the bus, he drug the driver off of the bus and beat him down, on Ponce. Reportedly the driver never passed Ponce Place again.
Now what other MARTA bus line is that cool?
(Thanks to my buddy LN for the stories :)
But they're cutting the Number Two.
The Number Two isn't one of my regular buses. It could be, but they don't actually run at a time that works for me in the morning. But it's a route I do take on occasion and am rather fond of. The Two runs down Ponce from North Ave to Avondale and it is a historical route, it follows the old street car line. In fact, one of the Two's bus stops, down by East Lake, is actually the last remaining street car stop. So I feel a little heart broken.
Don't get me wrong, most of that area will still be served by the redirected Number Six, but the Two is such a fun route down Ponce. All the best parts of Atlanta are down there, Eats, the Local, Green's, the Clermont. All the coolest people ride the Two (like that dude who stared at me while I ate at Eats not too long ago), and some great stories came off that line. Stories like the one about the bus driver who's evening poker game was robbed. The next day, one of the punks who robbed him got on his bus, the Number Two, so the driver took him straight to the police station.
Or Harry, my favorite Ponce story. Harry Brown was a well-known body builder in the 60's, winning national competitions. Well, Harry lived on Ponce, Ponce Place to be exact. One night, as Harry and a friend waited on the bus, the driver just kept on going and missed picking up Harry and his friend. (Like bus driver's ever do that!) So what is a fella like Harry to do?
Harry ran down Ponce and beat the Two to the next bus stop so he could wait on the bus like any nice rider. However, as he boarded the bus, he drug the driver off of the bus and beat him down, on Ponce. Reportedly the driver never passed Ponce Place again.
Now what other MARTA bus line is that cool?
(Thanks to my buddy LN for the stories :)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Today's blog is brought to you
by the letter S. S is for single tracking.
MARTA has seen a lot of single tracking lately, particularly on the south side, between Garnett and Oakland City. Guess where I get on the train?
So what is single tracking? I had to learn this one as a transit newbie, and since this blog is to share all my transit wealth, here I am to tell you all about single tracking.
MARTA is a two track system, meaning one track is dedicated for trains going north bound and the other is dedicated for trains going south bound (or, you know, East and West. Just pick a direction). This allows for more trains to be going at once and for less wait time. Simple concept, right? Not all subway lines are double tracks, like parts of the Tube (London, folks).
So when MARTA is single tracking, that means that they have closed one side of the track in that direction. For example, they close the South track and both North and South bound trains have to share one track. Therefore, they have to wait for one another to pass and it adds on to commute time, as you hang out on the train.
Now don't ask me what they're doing on the other side of the tracks as they close them. Supposedly it's to repair the track. I'm pretty sure it's to build snow men that they can then run over with trains. That or they're having parties. Maybe a combination of both. But it makes people stir crazy when you trap them in a metal box and then don't move the box.
Supposedly you can check the MARTA website to see if they're single tracking. I wouldn't know, cause I like to gamble with my commute. I just show up, get on a train, sometimes even the right one, and see where I end up. It makes transit that much more fun!
(and yes, I totally spazzed out at Avondale last night because there train with a sign for Indian Creek on the other side of the station and I thought I had gotten on the wrong platform. The operator just parked it there. To mess with me, I'm sure.)
MARTA has seen a lot of single tracking lately, particularly on the south side, between Garnett and Oakland City. Guess where I get on the train?
So what is single tracking? I had to learn this one as a transit newbie, and since this blog is to share all my transit wealth, here I am to tell you all about single tracking.
MARTA is a two track system, meaning one track is dedicated for trains going north bound and the other is dedicated for trains going south bound (or, you know, East and West. Just pick a direction). This allows for more trains to be going at once and for less wait time. Simple concept, right? Not all subway lines are double tracks, like parts of the Tube (London, folks).
So when MARTA is single tracking, that means that they have closed one side of the track in that direction. For example, they close the South track and both North and South bound trains have to share one track. Therefore, they have to wait for one another to pass and it adds on to commute time, as you hang out on the train.
Now don't ask me what they're doing on the other side of the tracks as they close them. Supposedly it's to repair the track. I'm pretty sure it's to build snow men that they can then run over with trains. That or they're having parties. Maybe a combination of both. But it makes people stir crazy when you trap them in a metal box and then don't move the box.
Supposedly you can check the MARTA website to see if they're single tracking. I wouldn't know, cause I like to gamble with my commute. I just show up, get on a train, sometimes even the right one, and see where I end up. It makes transit that much more fun!
(and yes, I totally spazzed out at Avondale last night because there train with a sign for Indian Creek on the other side of the station and I thought I had gotten on the wrong platform. The operator just parked it there. To mess with me, I'm sure.)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday Morning Commute Thoughts
Why do people sit there and keep trying to use a Breeze card that Xs out? Seriously, people. Walk over to the machine and put more money on the darn thing.
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