Marta is Attempting to Combat Global Warming

Logo from http://itsmarta.com

We've all have said this, or been victim to the saying, "Did you grow up in a barn?” Typically, it is in reference to someone leaving the door open and letting out all the conditioned air.

This concept seems so basic - shut the door to keep the conditioned air in the room and money in your pocket.

As basic as this is, the counties 7th largest transit network cannot grasp this concept. Marta seems to facing ‘doomsday’ budget scenarios each day, but does nothing, noticeable to curb their current waste.  I have a way Marta could improve passenger comfort AND save money: Shut the barn door!

Evaluation: Westbound (Indian Creek to Five Point Station) When the train is delayed or at the end of the line, all the doors to train are open.  This causes a dramatic temperature difference in the interior of the train car when sitting idle at a station.
Once all the condition air leaves the train car – the train is ready to leave the station.  By Avondale, the train is at passenger capacity.  The heating/ cooling systems cannot keep up with the demand and thus must work harder and less efficient. 
By the time the temperature catches up with the demand, there is inviolably a delay at Edgewood, or Inman Park.  While the train idles at the station, Marta keeps all doors to the train wide open, this of course, let’s all the conditioned air out. 

Solution:
1. Keep one set of doors, per car, open at the end of line stations.  Common sense tells us, this will decrease the amount of conditioned air from leaving the train. This will keep a consistent temperature and save money for the transit system.
2. Shut the doors when trains are stalled at the stations due to ... Whatever stalls a train that only runs every 15 minutes.  Benefits mentioned above, will even apply here.
3. Throw the existing trains into Lake Lanier; they will do more as fish habitats than passenger cars. Upgrade to an efficient train fleet with common sense operation. Marta's trains have to be the most dated trains in the country. There have been advancements in train car design, and technologies have advanced.

I understand that Point 1 and 2 are easier than 3, but who knows.

Let's hope that Marta takes some pride in running an efficient, comfortable, and innovative transit system.  Ideas must evolve in order to better the system and community.

Share your thoughts with Marta
Click Here to Contact
Marta is also on Twitter: @MARTAMARKETING