Public Transportation Options - Alpharetta to Atlanta (Roswell, Decatur: to live in, buses)

[ATLHopeful]

Hi there,

I was wondering, does anyone have direct first hand (or second hand i.e. know someone that does it) experience with public transportation from Alpharetta to Midtown/Downtown Atlanta?

Based on my research on this forum and on the MARTA website, I gather that what you would do is drive to a park and ride in Alpharetta (so we plan to make sure we live super close to one - the one on Windward Parkway in particular is the one we were thinking of - close to Cogburn Road), hop on the bus that will take you to the North Springs Station, and then hop on the train at that point..taking you midtown. The company I am thinking of working at is located RIGHT by a train station midtown.

The bus ride according to the schedule is supposed to take 18m if you take one of the earlier ones. If you take one of the ones that leave later in the am i.e. like 9/10'ish the ride takes 25m.

My question is, does any one have any experience with this?I am thinking the entire trip should take no longer than 1hr/1.25hrs if we leave first thing in the morning. Is this accurate? I'm pretty used to doing something very similar to this in the metro I used to live in, time spent on the subway/bus is great to catch up on reading, thoughts, etc....1hr on reliable public transportation doesn't sound bad at all(especially since most of it will be on the train).

Are there any things I should know? Is my thinking accurate? Do the buses work like they say they will? They seem to run pretty frequently.. Trains? Or do they breakdown? Are they safe? Does this plan makes sense based on what you know as an Alpharetta/ATL local???!

Any insight/comments will be MUCH appreciated. I just want to know if we should consider this midtown company(possibly others too, downtown and midtown), or if we should just focus our job search in Alpharetta....

Thanks so much!!!

[ramblinwreck17]

I believe the MARTA buses during rush hour are allowed to use the shoulders to travel on. If they still do this then it could be a reasonable option. The furthest out I would want to drive into downtown from would be Roswell (south of Alpharetta). The schedules should be accurate- 18min to N Springs from Windward sounds like they are in fact using the shoulder.

[Iconographer]

Hey, the good news is that Alpharetta is supposed to get their own MARTA station!





In 2025.

[new2atlanta]

A friend of mine lives in Alpharetta and she used to drive to North Springs and take the train to Midtown. I think the train takes about 25 from North Springs, plus 15 minutes driving.
I think this another option so you don't have to wait for the bus. In the morning the train runs every 10 minutes. I take it from Lenox and I most of the time is on schedule.

[wxjay]

The MARTA trains are much more reliable than the buses for obvious reasons (traffic). Where I comer from (RI) Park & Rides are extremely popular and were used a lot even 10 years ago. Nowadays, according to my parents, they are always over full. I don't know the situation in Alpharetta on the Park & Ride, but that could be true as well, which means you would want to get to the early buses if possible.

Overall, though, the MARTA train system will work great. And yes, buses can travel on the shoulders on GA 400, making the trip easier.

[pellur]

Originally Posted by ATLHopeful

Hi there,

I was wondering, does anyone have direct first hand (or second hand i.e. know someone that does it) experience with public transportation from Alpharetta to Midtown/Downtown Atlanta?

Based on my research on this forum and on the MARTA website, I gather that what you would do is drive to a park and ride in Alpharetta (so we plan to make sure we live super close to one - the one on Windward Parkway in particular is the one we were thinking of - close to Cogburn Road), hop on the bus that will take you to the North Springs Station, and then hop on the train at that point..taking you midtown. The company I am thinking of working at is located RIGHT by a train station midtown.

The bus ride according to the schedule is supposed to take 18m if you take one of the earlier ones. If you take one of the ones that leave later in the am i.e. like 9/10'ish the ride takes 25m.

My question is, does any one have any experience with this?I am thinking the entire trip should take no longer than 1hr/1.25hrs if we leave first thing in the morning. Is this accurate? I'm pretty used to doing something very similar to this in the metro I used to live in, time spent on the subway/bus is great to catch up on reading, thoughts, etc....1hr on reliable public transportation doesn't sound bad at all(especially since most of it will be on the train).

Are there any things I should know? Is my thinking accurate? Do the buses work like they say they will? They seem to run pretty frequently.. Trains? Or do they breakdown? Are they safe? Does this plan makes sense based on what you know as an Alpharetta/ATL local???!

Any insight/comments will be MUCH appreciated. I just want to know if we should consider this midtown company(possibly others too, downtown and midtown), or if we should just focus our job search in Alpharetta....

Thanks so much!!!

In my current company atleast 25-30 people do what you are suggesting. Riders have been happy every since MARTA buses started using shoulders and also with the expansion to 4 lanes between exit 6 and exit 8.

[Roswell/Alpharetta Homes]

Exactly- either driving to North Springs or taking the bus...I would try them both. Some days driving will be quicker and others the bus will.

[ATLHopeful]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Hey, the good news is that Alpharetta is supposed to get their own MARTA station!





In 2025.

LOL!!! Too funny=)! I almost didn't notice the last part... I got so excited when I read the first line LOL!

Well, thanks for the heads up!!!

[ATLHopeful]

I wanted to say Thank you sooo much to everyone for taking the time to answer my questions... I really do appreciate it. I can't say how great a resource this forum has been in our search for a new place to call HOME=) (hopefully)!

Thanks again, these answers are extremely useful.

I really hope this Alpharetta move works out for us! Absolutely fell in love with the city when we visited... !

Thanks!

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by ATLHopeful

Hi there,

I was wondering, does anyone have direct first hand (or second hand i.e. know someone that does it) experience with public transportation from Alpharetta to Midtown/Downtown Atlanta?

Based on my research on this forum and on the MARTA website, I gather that what you would do is drive to a park and ride in Alpharetta (so we plan to make sure we live super close to one - the one on Windward Parkway in particular is the one we were thinking of - close to Cogburn Road), hop on the bus that will take you to the North Springs Station, and then hop on the train at that point..taking you midtown. The company I am thinking of working at is located RIGHT by a train station midtown.

The bus ride according to the schedule is supposed to take 18m if you take one of the earlier ones. If you take one of the ones that leave later in the am i.e. like 9/10'ish the ride takes 25m.

My question is, does any one have any experience with this?I am thinking the entire trip should take no longer than 1hr/1.25hrs if we leave first thing in the morning. Is this accurate? I'm pretty used to doing something very similar to this in the metro I used to live in, time spent on the subway/bus is great to catch up on reading, thoughts, etc....1hr on reliable public transportation doesn't sound bad at all(especially since most of it will be on the train).

Are there any things I should know? Is my thinking accurate? Do the buses work like they say they will? They seem to run pretty frequently.. Trains? Or do they breakdown? Are they safe? Does this plan makes sense based on what you know as an Alpharetta/ATL local???!

Any insight/comments will be MUCH appreciated. I just want to know if we should consider this midtown company(possibly others too, downtown and midtown), or if we should just focus our job search in Alpharetta....

Thanks so much!!!

Hey I would say the best thing to do is to "download" the MARTA train schedules (also any appropriate bus schedules) and count "backwards" from the time you need to be at your destination.

I worked out of the Atlanta airport for the past 17 years. I was part-time up until 2002 ... on occasion I take MARTA from North Springs to Airport Station(s). I don't think I've EVER been detained or late? The trains run great, however must watch the parking fees.

Other than that ... MARTA isn't too bad. Sometimes riding the train isn't as stressful since if you work with the schedule ... you usually EARLY to your destination !