MARTA Safety Later at Night

[gomeisaneelie.livejournal.com]

Okay, so this is the first time I'm going to have to find my way to the hotel from the ATL airport.  The rest of my crew is driving down.

From everything I read here, MARTA seems like the easiest and most economical way to get from the airport to the Marriott.

My question is...How is the safety for a girl taking MARTA alone after like say 10pm on a weekday?

Thanks!

Comments

[ronofthedead.livejournal.com]

It has been nine years since I lived in Atlanta,but I ride MARTA 2 or 3 times a year when I visit Atlanta. You will be taking a train from the Airport to the station next to the Hyatt so you should be relatively safe. They have a MARTA police officer on every train after dark and the stations are monitored at all times.

My advice would be the same stuff you hear all the time. Stay alert,be aware of your surroundings, etc et al.

[pocky_slash.livejournal.com]

I can't answer your question because this is also MY first time taking the MARTA this late (I've taken it to and from the con the past few years, but always in the morning), but I'm curious what time you're getting in and on what day? Because my flight is supposed to land about 10:40 on Thursday and if you're coming in at the same time, maybe we could make the trip to the con together? Safety in numbers and all.

[bhsbaby.livejournal.com]

I lived in Atlanta for nearly 20 years and I've always felt that compared to other mass transit options MARTA is relatively safe. Since you're going to be on it a while (the airport is quite a ways from the Peachtree Center stop) my best advice would be get onto a car with other people. There are going to be quite a few people boarding at the airport, so I think you'll be alright.

[twinklebat.livejournal.com]

Taking MARTA from the airport to Peachtree Center is perfectly safe. You'll never even step outside since that station exits into the food court. If you were going one more stop up to Five Points I would probably however say otherwise.

[starlady42.livejournal.com]

If you are flying in on Thursday night, you will be far from the only Dragon*Conner on the train - so just look for the other geeks and flock together ;) Seriously, I used to fly in every year and always took MARTA - it's safe and cheap (at least from the airport to Peachtree Ctr, which is really all I ever do).

[mhaithaca.livejournal.com]

My thought exactly. Look around the airport baggage area (which is right next to the MARTA station) for the other folks who are clearly headed to Dragon*Con. (We're not hard to spot.) Say hi. Ride together. Make new friends.

[gomeisaneelie.livejournal.com]

Thanks guys! That helps a lot. Sounds like I should feel safe enough.

But Pocky_Slash I will contact you offline. I'm also getting in around that time and would certainly welcome company.

[joyeuse13.livejournal.com]

They stop running somewhat early, though, so if your flight is delayed you may have an issue. I think the last train from the airport is at 12:30am.

[freak-thankyou.livejournal.com]

I've lived here three years and am a relatively likely target based solely on demographic factors. MARTA doesn't worry me at all. I've never once even thought I'd be harmed on MARTA, which isn't to say nothing ever happens, but it tends to be something people choose to get involved in and therefore easy to stay out of and avoiding it is as easy as switching cars on the rare chance it does happen at that time on that line on the train you're on in the car you're riding.

According to MARTA the last train leaves the airport at 1:12 and the trip is ~24 minutes.

TL:DR You're fine. Don't stress. And you'll likely have other Dragon*
Con folks on their way too.

[iriedanym.livejournal.com]

I took MARTA back to my hotel (which ironically was closer to the airport) last year without any incidents. Basically, keep alert, with your bag(s) close. If someone starts to harass you, try to move to a different area. And yeah, you'll see plenty of geeks on the MARTA (like me), and there is usually safety in numbers.

used Marta for years

[frankkmiller.livejournal.com]

without a hitch.

The only drawback is the shutting down @ 1am.

Of course, some people get scared pissless involving anything outside the suburbs and a huge parking lot so when you check online you're going to get a bunch of people complaining.

we also use the multi-day parking .. cheaper than hotel parking.

[nightwing22dg.livejournal.com]

I've lived in Atlanta for 14 years. Used to be safe enough here to walk the streets late at night with no incident. Because of a problem I ran into a few years back, I study crime stories more closely than most. The city isn't as safe as it was a few years back. But that said, MARTA still should be relatively safe. I have read some instances of a few bad things happening on MARTA. They happened anytime of day. I use it everyday myself. I'd just say that it is still pretty safe, but just really pay attention to your surroundings & always make sure you are around groups of people in highly visible areas. Shouldn't be anything to worry about, but still be careful.

[nightwing22dg.livejournal.com]

Actually notice a lot lately that there are police offices on trains & buses very frequently of late. Which is nice. There was a policeman on my bus tonight going home.