MARTA Customer Service Issues

On my way down GA [redacted] after Holcomb Bridge Rd, I experienced a tire blowout in my [redacted] Ford Expedition. I substituted it with a 21-year-old spare tire to reach NorthSprings Marta for my trip to the airport and a flight to Brussels. Upon my return four days later, I proceeded to Costco, located only 1.6 miles from the North Springs Marta station, to rectify the tire issue. While trying to exit the parking lot heading south on GA [redacted], I was directed to use the North gate due to the policy at Marta North Springs. Despite explaining my safety concerns with a 21-year-old spare tire in rush hour traffic, I was not allowed to exit through the South gate. I expressed my dissatisfaction to the gate attendant and supervisor but was instructed to exit to the North. The incident highlighted a safety concern that I intend to address with MARTA.

At approximately 6:54 am, at the West End MARTA station, I entered and walked up the escalator to catch the northbound train toward North Springs. Upon reaching the foot of the escalator, I noticed a terrible smell and realized it was feces. I thought I had avoided it but to my dismay, I had stepped in it. It was only when the train doors closed, and fellow passengers gave me looks of disgust, that I realized what had happened. I had paid my fare only to experience humiliation and now needed to urgently find a place to clean up, change clothes and shoes for work. This was definitely not how I had planned to start my day.

While boarding the bus, I placed my card to pay the fare, but the bus driver started moving before I could sit down, causing me alarm. As a senior with mobility issues using a walker, I needed a moment to stabilize myself. The indifference of the driver, bus number 84 with sign number [redacted], was concerning. Had I fallen, my situation could be worse. I urge the authorities to review any onboard cameras for verification. Such incidents are risky for me due to my vulnerabilities. I boarded the bus at 4:45 pm, and I hope this issue can be addressed to ensure the safety of passengers. Thank you for addressing this matter. Sincerely, Ms. C.

Hello, my name is Charles P. Blackburn. I am a Breeze Card holder. I used MARTA 3 days a week to get to dialysis and MARTA Mobility for doctor appointments within MARTA's reach. Due to health issues like poor vision, hearing, dialysis, and blood pressure, I can't drive. On April 29th, I had a kidney transplant and now have frequent doctor appointments that I must attend for monitoring. The forms you recently sent me to fill out seem familiar from when I applied for the Breeze Card. I apologize for the delay in returning them; there was a minor setback with a water leak after returning from the hospital. I live alone and needed my doctor to sign his part. I've sent the forms to you, despite the delay, as I can't afford to lose my transportation service. I have an appointment at Emory this Friday, the 27th, that I hope you can assist me with. Thank you, and I look forward to your response soon!

We are facing a challenging situation with MARTA services during this crisis. It is crucial to have all buses, including Route 87, operating at full capacity. Suspending Route 87 while other routes are running seems unfair. Opening all businesses and letting individuals take necessary precautions is essential. It is important for those at lower risk to support and assist those at higher risk. The decision to limit bus routes impacts employment opportunities. Please consider reopening all bus routes promptly. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. Respectfully, Otessa Regina Compton

On Sunday 11/08/[redacted], my husband and I were on the 4:30 southbound train. When we reached the Westend station, the operator did not open the doors, so we had to go to the next station and double back. We noticed the train was speeding up. I called the operator while onboard, and she stopped at the next station to address my call. The cabin number was [redacted]. When we returned to the Westend station, a homeless man was at the elevator, and we had to use the stairs. It would be reassuring to have more officers at the stations for added security. Being 73 years old, I didn't feel comfortable using the stairs, but I had no choice due to the homeless man's presence.

As a senior, I accidentally boarded the wrong bus to H/E hon trial station from Camp Creek. The female driver was speeding and did not slow down when driving over potholes. It is important for the company to hire responsible drivers who can navigate the streets safely. I recommend undercover evaluations to witness the challenges customers face on this bus firsthand. The excessive speed and lack of consideration for road conditions made my ride unpleasant. I sincerely hope to avoid encountering a similar situation in the future. Thank you, Roberta Cash.

On the 10th of July, I visited the Reduced Fare office in Five Points. Upon arrival, I noticed I was ticket #45 while the display showed they were serving #35. There were only two employees, one of them, a male, seemed disinterested based on his slow movements. Shortly after I arrived, the only female employee left. There was a significant delay in serving customers, evident from the complaints and the slow pace of service. I had to leave for an appointment and upon returning an hour later, they had only progressed to #51. The male employee had also disappeared. The lack of urgency and customer service was disappointing as customers were left waiting without much consideration. It would benefit from management intervention to improve the efficiency and overall customer experience at the office.

Traveling on MARTA recently was a concerning experience. There were issues onboard with homeless individuals causing disturbances. Despite MARTA police presence, the situation was not adequately addressed, leading to discomfort among passengers. The lack of security and cleanliness on the trains was disappointing. Additionally, the overgrown areas near North Springs Station were also a cause for worry. It's evident that there are underlying problems within MARTA that need urgent attention, as the service is deteriorating. Addressing these issues will require a focus on leadership, accountability, and restoring public trust. As a regular passenger, I hope to see improvements in the future for a safer and more pleasant journey on MARTA.