http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2013/01/21/marta-unveils-plan-to-make-transit-system-sustainable-in-next-five-years Comments On: MARTA unveils five-year plan to make transit system sustainable by Jordan Friedman en-us Copyright 2013 Creative Loafing Atlanta. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Creative Loafing Atlanta readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Creative Loafing Atlanta. wil@desert.net (Creative Loafing Atlanta Webmaster) Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:01 -0400 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:45:00 -0400 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Posted by Voxapoopinmypants]]> Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:19:55 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by NadVertising]]> Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:48:55 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta
1) lugging a big bag/skis up and down stairs that may of may not be working 60%
2) Dealing with getting a taxi from MARTA to home 20%
3) Safety/annoyance 10% (still dark out)

If however I was a woman or a tourist who had heard of MARTAs negative reputation it wouldnt have been a debate since the safety/annoyance concerns would have been much more influential."


1) I've ridden every day for 4+ years and have yet to enter a station that didn't at least have an elevator in operation. It's true that the escalators are occasionally down, but the elevators are always working.
Posted by NadVertising]]> Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:41:52 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta "you have yet to answer the question fundamental to your story line"

Wrong. I didn't state MARTA worker's are overpaid in comparison with every other transit system - those are your words.
Posted by Burroughston Broch]]> Sat, 26 Jan 2013 09:01:54 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by Mark from Atlanta]]> Sat, 26 Jan 2013 03:26:04 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by for certain purposes]]> Sat, 26 Jan 2013 00:59:42 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta
dude if you dont know how to play the game, then don't play

anyway i liked how you conflated 'perception' issues with infrastructure vox and i would really like to see your suggestions about how increased spending can reduce the black factor

maybe if MARTA purchased screens for the blacks to sit behind then the system would be 'perceived' as safer and more worthy??????
Posted by for certain purposes]]> Sat, 26 Jan 2013 00:59:08 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by Voxpopuli]]> Fri, 25 Jan 2013 08:18:47 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by Voxapoopinmypants]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:11:47 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta "Its not just electrical engineers - there are also civil engineers, mechanical engineers etc. In addition, look at the number of contractors and their salaries on MARTOC. They are not listed by occupation, but I'll be willing to bet they include engineers specialize in rail.
Posted by Burroughston Broch]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:16:41 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Thx. Yeah I actually thinking MARTA does very well with the hand its dealt.
Posted by Voxpopuli]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:24:31 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by InAtl]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:44:30 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta http://blogs.ajc.com/kyle-wingfield/2010/05/19/special-series-a-lesson-on-frugality-for-marta-from-out-west/


Overall though please answer this:
If the MARTA powers that be didn't think VIA was better run and more efficient why would they hire away its CEO from San Antonio at a premium to head up MARTA?
Posted by Voxpopuli]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:43:30 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by InAtl]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:57:47 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta
but yeah, you're right. marta doesn't have an overpaid staff issue, to go along with a ga legislature issue and a it-barely-goes-anywhere-useful issue.
Posted by wesleywhatwhat]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:04:44 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by Mark from Atlanta]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:29:31 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by Edgewood Adam]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:04:13 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta
a couple of these guys are negative one million by that count.

i think sparkles is about the only one who can claim victory in the long term.
Posted by wesleywhatwhat]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:46:40 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by Ira]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:11:25 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta "You haven't demonstrated that they're being overpaid, Methuselah. That's the thing you keep dodging."
I demonstrated on multiple posts they are paid 15+% more than their peers in San Antonio, who are members of the same union.
I demonstrated that the comparison with San Antonio (bus only system) is valid because (1) MARTA does not pay rail staff more than bus staff, and (2) the number of higher paid engineering staff at MARTA for rail is so small that it doesn't skew the results.
KPMG says they are overpaid.
Posted by Burroughston Broch]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 09:42:33 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta
You haven't demonstrated that they're being overpaid, Methuselah. That's the thing you keep dodging.
Posted by Chuckie]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 09:16:13 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta "ok why is this a bad thing aside from the fact that you have an irrational hatred towards people who have to work for a living"
Overpaying staff drives up MARTA's costs.
MARTA's costs are unsustainable (see KPMG report).
New MARTA boss raises fares to cover costs.
MARTA ridership declines because of raised fares.
This is a bad thing.
Posted by Burroughston Broch]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:37:10 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta
ok why is this a bad thing aside from the fact that you have an irrational hatred towards people who have to work for a living
Posted by for certain purposes]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:47:44 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta "4,100+ MARTA employees making $50,000/year or more"
You're right, it's 4100+ employees making $20,000/year or more on the MARTOC list. My mistake.
But it doesn't change the fact that the average employee receives over $74,000/year in salary and benefits.

"The engineers who work on the rail lines certainly do get paid much more than the mechanics who work on the buses.
Posted by Burroughston Broch]]> Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:42:43 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta Posted by for certain purposes]]> Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:52:50 -0500 Creative Loafing Atlanta