The Idea Blog

Since I moved to ATL, I have taken notice that people were not joking about the traffic that paralyzes the city weekday mornings and afternoons. No time has this been more of an issue for me than this past Monday afternoon.

I was heading to see my Red Sox take on the Braves at Turner Field. Now, on a side note, since arriving in Atlanta, I have been taken aback at how much advertising they do to promote ticket sales for the home team. Coming from Boston, where every game is sold out, this really surprised me. So when I made plans to attend the game on the 18th, it was suggested by the “locals” that it’s easier to drive because a Braves game is not well attended. Well, that might usually be the case, but Red Sox Nation travels well. I spent as much time in traffic as I did at the game. It took two and half hours to travel 15 miles. My fiance made the comment that it was ironic that we were listening to a game we had tickets to. We arrived - bruised and battered - in the bottom of the third inning, shortly before Curt Schilling of Medfield, MA, my home town, was knocked out the game. The Sox lost, but it was nice to be a part of what felt like a Boston home crowd.

Getting back to public transportation… I think that this a problem for a city like Atlanta and - for that matter - for the Southeast in general. Public transportation can prevent you from feeling helpless … as I did when I shot this while standing still on the interstate on my way to the game.

They are having a very difficult time getting people to ride the MARTA in Atlanta. I can’t figure it out. I have taken it downtown a few times and to the airport and found it to be cost effective and safer than battling GA 400 and I-285. So I ask: why is public transportation not the norm in Atlanta. What types of incentives need to be offered? Tax credit? Gas Cards? If you have an idea that can get people off the roads (so I can get to the game), send me an email.