The Marta Chronicles

In a poll, that I have little information on - I saw it on the news this morning - 38% of the people who participated said that they feared walking/riding a bike here in GA. Isn't that something? Yet, nothing is being done about it. Writing letters doesn't seem to help.

In July, I was waiting for the #75, July 31 to be exact (my birthday). Well the route for the bus had been changed - I didn't know this. After leaving the station, the bus makes its first stop through DeVry Institute. Many of the students, those who do not walk from the station because it isn't far, will take the 75 or 36. I suppose the reason for altering 75 route was so that adult students wouldn't have to cross six lanes of traffic to get to the school. If they rode the 36 (and it ran more often), they wouldn't have to cross the street because it puts the students off on the same side of the road that the school is on. But . . . I guess they figure the 36 is catered towards the Dekalb Medical Center, and Emory crowd - which you'd still think the bus would run more often especially since many students attending Druid Hills ride this bus.

Okay back to the story - I'm waiting for the bus and I see it coming. I'm standing in the place where I'd always known it to stop. Then all of a sudden it turns into DeVry. Before turning, the driver motions to me that he's turning. The students, who are waiting on the other side begin yelling towards me that the bus will stop down the hill after it comes out of DeVry. Well I begin to run because I know Marta's history about leaving folks who are not standing at the bus stop when the bus pulls up. I've had the door closed in my face several times because I wasn't standing at the stop when the bus came at its "time." Well, running down the hill, with all kinds of construction debris, tree limbs, partial sidewalk - - - in my way - - - I tumbled, slid, skidded, fell. When I got up, my right ankle was twisted/sprained, my knees bruised (the right knee is still sore even now), my right shoulder blade scratched and bruised (you can still see the scar) and my left hand had blood gushing from several locations. When I got to the stop the driver opens the door and says: "Ah, yeah, they just changed the route." He didn't ask if I was okay - I was bleeding all over, from my shoulder and my hands and my jeans were covered in GA red clay. I should have turned and went home but I was too mad to move. I could taste salt in my spit. I was mad at myself for running, I was mad at the city for allowing there to be no sidewalks and for junk to clutter pedestrian's way and I was crazed with anger towards Marta. Well, I continued my journey which wasn't far. I was going to Rich's at Dekalb Mall. It was my birthday and I was going to do some shopping, mostly window. At the Rich's cosmetic counter, I was cleaned up. The ladies were wonderful, one even offered me a ride home. Now that's service!!! I mean the ladies didn't have to do anything for me. They could have simply pointed me towards the bathroom but they were there to help me . . . that just goes to show you the difference between a few businesses out there. I'm so tired of Marta and its big brother, monopolizing attitude . . . well on that day I was. It sickens me that big corporations don't feel they have to be cordial or respectful to their customers - I've had the same problem with Bellsouth concerning my bill. No returned phone calls or emails. I had major problems with interrupted services when I first moved into my apartment. I went without a phone for a month, but I was still charged. I had to utilize my cell phone just to call them and report the problems. On one call alone it took 45 minutes to get an actual person on the line, after going through automation and being transferred over and over and over . . . on another call, after becoming fed up, I asked to speak to a supervisor or someone in charge. The rep informed me that she was in Florida and she'd make a note of it on my file for someone in GA to call me. No one ever called. A called again, from my cell phone and was told that it was noted on my account. But my call was never returned. I've emailed, called . . . nothing. No response. And I'm always cordial when I have a complaint because most times its just a simple misunderstanding involing computers of course - but I see that this situation was not. BellSouth doesn't give a damn about me, just my money. It doesn't matter that I went a month withough service, which meant that all of the bells and whistles were not utilized, including my internet service (which is provided by - BellSouth). The only apology I've received is from the customer service rep, and all she does is log in information and answers your call, after you've gone through automation of course. I hate big corporations. That's all America is made of - its like a cancer and fatal disease AND it has started affecting the healthcare industry (I despie HMOs). Everybody is corporated which means control and strong armed manipulation and ignorance towards customers and patrons.

Big Brother is here! and in its twisted way, had moved over into the Cobb County School System. Yesterday a little girl was suspended for 2 weeks from school for bringing a weapon to school. The weapon? It was a tweety bird key chain! A freaking key chain. Mind you, this is the same system that transferred a teacher after it had been reported she called two students "niggers." This is the same system that kicked two football players off of the football team because they had gotten into a truck and went through the neighborhood destroying mailboxes. Isn't tampering with mailboxes a federal offense? But a little girl, a little black girl, had a key ring - a normal looking key ring and they say - Cobb can be used as a weapon. Well, a fist can be used as a weapon - so does this mean they'll have to cut off your hands? A pencil or pen can be used as a weapon, a plastic fork can be used as a weapon, a dictionary can be a weapon (in more way than one) . . . a compass can be used as a weapon, a ruler can be used as a weapon . . . but tweety bird???? And if that's the case, then wouldn't this mean that the teachers, and staff are carrying weapons on their persons as well? They drive don't they?

posted by Darni @ 9/29/2000 08:44:00 AM

I just ran across an article in the AJC's DeKalb Extra section (August 17, 2000) and I quote: "Best place to get healthy Lullwater Park off Clifton Road at EMORY University somewhat removes joggers from DeKalb County's notoriously fatal pedestrian perils."

Lately, there have been too many fatal car accidents, many involving teens but that still doesn't let adults off the hook (the folks who are supposed to be setting examples for the teens).

No response from Dekalb County, as of today. I forwarded them the same note that I sent to "we don't build sidewalks Marta. " You'd think that since Marta has to work with the state, county and the people - "it" would have forwarded my request to the appropriate people. I'm sure they know who to contact. But it won't matter, until someone sues the hell out of Marta for negligence. Because I've saved the letter, informing them of the danger but it isn't new. This kinda stuff ends up in the news two and three times a day.

MARTA CONVERSATION YESTERDAY EVENING:.
"Fat people look alike. All of'em do. White, black, oriental - they all look alike when they are fat. You ever notice that."

"Nah, dude. I don't watch fat chicks."

posted by Darni @ 9/28/2000 10:52:00 AM

*addendum -God has so many ways of communicating with us. As you can tell I am quite annoyed with mankind, not that I adore animals and insects but since we are supposed to be the "lords" of this Earth, you'd think we'd be more civil, decent . . . and as you can see from my ealier rants - well I'm not be civil but its a different level brought on by cause and effect. Nevertheless, yesterday I had the blues pretty bad. Just having to live in a world where the word professional has lost its meaning and cheap is another name for new. I was depressed. Talked to my boyfriend about it and I thought that he was indifferent but he wasn't. I was just too far gone. I remember staring out of the window at the cars below zipping by, drivers not caring about anyone but themselves - so I took my eyes away from that scene and just watched the trees bend and sway with the wind. I cried. It didn't help. I felt lost. Like there was nothing that could be done about things.

This morning my boyfriend sent me an email. He subsribes to something and gets daily horoscopes. He and I share the same sign, here is what was written:

-Leo-

YOUR DAILY HOROSCOPE

Your ability to communicate clearly and motivate others is liable to be of

prime importance right now. Don't let old fears or resentments sabotage any

budding relationships or other opportunities for you at this time. Just try

to dismiss any old negative feelings as part of your past, not your present.

So much depends on your ability to react quickly to lucky breaks right now.

If you're absorbed with old fear or anger, then you could end up missing out

on some valuable opportunities.

I was blown away by the last sentence because, on yesterday (and particularly for the last two months) I've felt nothing but fear and anger. Anger at God and fear of this terrible world. I told my boyfriend how much I hated this world, not necessarily the trees, the air (even though it is polluted) but people. How rude and harmful people are . . . Anyway. That horoscope has picked me up so. It is remarkable. In all of the way that God can grab your attention, God will get it in the most simple ways. I don't pay alot of attention to horoscopes but I felt this one was more than that, it was/is a motivator and it inspired me - lifted me up. I know it was God. God knows how and why I feel like I do, its just so hard to change having to live in a world where professionals act like amatuers and the most popular newmakers are those who commit heinous crimes.

posted by Darni @ 9/26/2000 03:35:00 PM

Yesterday I stopped by the leasting office in my complex to find out why we can't buzz visitors in through the security gate. Found out that they hadn't entered our phone number into the system and the day our phone was turned on I had called to give "him" the number. But I also asked about receiving a copy of our lease. We've been living in the apartment since July 28th. I was told that the reason we hadn't received a copy was . . . "we've been busy." I smiled, because most times I'm gracious like that. But I was annoyed . . . I thought to go around and ask other residents but I figured it wasn't that big. Still I was bothered that an organization that claims to be a "professional management team" would be too busy to do a job that is in their description. Its not like I was requesting them to do something that's not their "job" nor is the team made up of only 1 person. A team is a team, sometimes backing up others who need assistance, that is what I always thought - working together. Apparently not in this case.

I'm tired of lazy people. I'm tired of careless people. I'm tired of cheap resources, which most of the buildings constructed now are made from cheap supplies. Which is why when a little wind blows through Atlanta, many big houses are destroyed - because of poor foundation strutures and cheap supplies used to construct the homes. It is too obvious when a 50 year old home is still standing but your new home of 6 months is leveled. Still, people are just too busy to take their time and do it right, take their time and choose the BEST supplies. The world we now live in is cheap, lazy and selfish!

I can never tell my boss I'm too busy or tell the people that we serve - "we're too busy" not when there is a team. I wonder how they would feel I was became too busy to pay the rent next month. Do you think Marta would let me ride, if I was too busy to pay the fare? Being too busy is a sorry cop-out. It may be the truth, I know but if that is your job to do, then . . . how can you be too busy not to have it done. How long does it take to sign off on it and make the necessary copies? Its been two months now.

posted by Darni @ 9/26/2000 10:34:00 AM

The buck passing . . . run around begins.

Remember when I said I would contact Marta about the bus stops on Winn Way and Dekalb Industrial? Well, I sent an email and to my surprise recieved an immediate response. My note is first and Marta's follows . . .


From: Darnishia Bolden [mailto:dbolde2@emory.edu]
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2000 2:57 PM
To: custserv@itsmarta.com
Subject: sidewalks on Dekalb Industrial and Winn Way

I've been a Marta patron for 15 years (whew!) and I am giving serious
thought to finding another mode of transportation to and from work because
its pretty dangerous standing at the bus stops. Recently I moved to a new
apartment complex on Dekalb Industrial , the route for the #75. The
neighborhood has little to no sidewalks. Yesterday, having to walk to the
Kroger down the street (since the #75 doesn't run on Sundays), I found
myself - several times - having to walk in the street with my back to
traffic (not a safe feeling). The grass is either too high and thick or
there's kudzu and other strange weeds everywhere. On Winn Way, after
crossing Dekalb Industrial Way to get to Winn Way, I catch the #36 to and
from work - there are no sidewalks. At the bus stop, we have to stand in
wet grass and kudzu which is at the very edge of the street too close to
cars that sometimes do not obey speed limits. Its quite disturbing,
especially when it is dark.

Are there plans in the making to put sidewalks and decent lighting in
these areas?

Reply-To:
From: "Customer Service"
To: "'Darnishia Bolden'"
Subject: RE: sidewalks on Dekalb Industrial and Winn Way
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 15:06:46 -0400
MIME-Version: 1.0
X-Priority: 3 (Normal)
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
Importance: Normal
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3612.1700
Status:

Reply:

Actually, I think these are questions that would best be answered by the
city or county where you reside. MARTA does not build sidewalks. Thank you
for the 15 years of loyal service. We appreciate your input and value you
as a very special customer.

Marion at: Custserv@itsmarta.com

I kinda figured Marta's first priority was not building sidewalks BUT, I thought that since they construct those plexiglass shelters on certain stops AND they created the sidewalks for the Stations, they would be the ones responsible for sidewalks for bus stops. At first I thought to send a note to the county but I figured that since they are Marta bus stops, it would be Marta's concern - the safety of their patrons, ya know. The apartment complex that I live in doesn't make sidewalks but the construction crew did create them for our specific area and I've noticed that one other complex has done the same . . . but I figured wrong, apparently.

Shouldn't safety be Marta's concern as well as the county? Aren't they Marta bus stops? You'd think that Marta would contact the county and say "hey, we're putting up sidewalks and you need to provide the pay or YOU need to provide sidewalks for the safety of our patrons and your citizens" but I guess its left up to me. So I'll write Dekalb County, if you really really think about it, sidewalks are necessary not just at Marta stops. By the way, I begin my driving lessons this weekend (I hope). I know I have this great fear of driving but my safety is more important and I don't foresee Marta getting involved or the country/city responding accordingly - I'm just one person. There's red tape and more run around/passing the buck . . . so the little side walks that we do have may be all that they consider necessary. Now if I lived in the Buckhead area . . . hmmm, never mind - I probably wouldn't be riding Marta in the first place - but then they have sidewalks.

By the way, I'll never stop writing my Marta blogs even after I've gotten over my fear of driving and learn to drive (be as safe a driver as I can) and purchase my car. I used to think I'd continue riding Marta - just park at the station but that would be an inconvenience to me since the #36 will take me there quite quickly. Maybe I've been riding Marta too long - a friend told me that all the money I've used on Marta, I could have a car by now (but then how would I get around???) plus why should I be a dedicated patron to an "organization" that bends over backwards to accomodate the north side. Business is business I suppose :-)

posted by Darni @ 9/25/2000 03:12:00 PM