MARTA Bus 196-4 Minute Walk From My House

When Terry and I started house hunting before the economy tanked, one of our non-negotiable requirements was proximity to public transportation. I don't enjoy driving and didn't want to rely on Terry all the time. Our agent, Lily, found several homes on the MARTA line, but most involved lengthy bus rides and equally long train journeys.

Eventually, Lily found a community in Clayton County right across the street from a bus stop. This stop offered a 15-minute ride to the airport, running 2-3 times an hour, seven days a week, with the last bus just after midnight. Although it wasn't MARTA, C-Tran had an agreement with them, so a paid ride on C-Tran provided free access to MARTA trains and transfers.

I used C-Tran countless times and found it extremely reliable. Whether covering a shift at work or heading to Cargo-Master, it was dependable. After my layoff, I had to rely on the bus again for job hunting. Fortunately, I could collect unemployment as jobs were scarce. During this time, county officials started riding the buses with clipboards to evaluate services and conduct verbal surveys with riders, including myself.

People often ask why I prefer public transportation over driving. I find driving stressful and prefer not to deal with traffic. I have a phobia of causing or being involved in accidents. The costs of car upkeep, insurance, and gas are also factors. Plus, using public transport allows me to listen to music, write, knit, or focus on things I wouldn't have time for at home.

In late 2009, it was announced that the Clayton County bus system would be discontinued. Rallies were held as people's ability to commute to work was jeopardized. The 8-mile ride to the Airport MARTA Station would now cost $30, making it an impractical expense for many. By March 31, 2010, C-Tran bus stops vanished overnight, cutting off people from work. This decision also complicated the crime situation in Clayton County, with burglary and robbery rates spiking.

Some enterprising individuals saw an opportunity in this grim situation. Two independent bus lines, including QuickTransit, emerged but failed due to mechanical issues. Southside Transportation, a trucking company, converted to a people-moving business but struggled with timeliness. Waiting for Southside often involved encounters with police, drug dealers, and panhandlers, making the experience unpleasant.

I began working at Macaroni Grill, and fortunately, the manager scheduled me for the same shifts as Terry, so we could commute together. We also gave rides to co-workers, who contributed to gas money. I eventually found two reliable drivers, Phil and Eddie, who charged $3-$4 for rides to the train station. Phil worked from 5 AM-6 PM, and Eddie covered evenings and Sundays.

Phil's van was uncomfortable and his manners were awful. He charged $4 but was often late and rude to passengers. On one occasion, he refused to let an older lady out of the van, which felt like kidnapping. His driving was reckless, and I found Uber to be a better option when Terry couldn't drive me.

Today is March 21, 2015. I work in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and for the first time in years, I won't need to rely on Uber or Phil. I'll be taking the new MARTA bus (Bus 196) to the train and then another bus (Bus 5 or Bus 87) to work. This change will save me money, reducing my daily commute cost from $16 with Uber and MARTA or $9 with Phil to just $5 round trip with the new bus stop. Investing in weekly passes, I now pay $23.75 for unlimited MARTA rides.

Aside from my personal preferences for public transportation, I believe the new MARTA lines in Clayton County will provide residents with better access to higher-paying jobs and a more reliable commute.