Can I write a review without a dramatic backstory? No.
This review shall be no different.
I am a Southern California transplant. Like all persons from So. Cal; I was driving by the age of 4, purchased my first car by 7 and have maintained a symbiotic relationship with my automobile much like the blue smurfs and the flying creatures in Avatar. However, when I moved to Atlanta I did not bring my car with me (gasp; the shame, the horror!). I am a tram taking, train riding commuter. Today's adventure is about my experience on The Buckhead Uptown Connection (aka The Buc).
There are 4 Buc lines; the Red Line (not to be confused with the MARTA Red Line) the Green Line, the Blue Line ( Blue and Green Lines run the same route except one goes clockwise while the other goes counterclockwise). Finally, there is the Purple Line. The Purple Line runs the least of them all. Of course, I ride the Purple Line and it usually frustrates me.
Who knows when the Purple line will arrive at the Buckhead MARTA stop? Experience has proven it will arrive at the Buckhead stop between 8:30am and 9:00am (this is when it matters to me). Ideally, it will get there around 8:45. However, I've watched it arrive as early as 8:35 and as late as 8:52. Whatever. I normally have about a 15 minute wait from the time I arrive at the Redline Buckhead stop until the Purple line arrives for the 5 minute shuttle ride to the office. I could walk, but it is a 15 minute walk and I've watched like a goof as the Purple line arrives at the office at the same time I do. I feel better waiting.
Today's drama was ENTIRELY self-inflicted. After arriving at the Art Center MARTA station I began fumbling with my IPOD. A train pulled up, I got on board. After leaving the Lindbergh Station I noticed the scenery was different...I was on the wrong train. Ooops. I got off at the Lennox stop with the intent of walking to the JW Marriott and catching a cab (too late to go back to Lindbergh and catch the Red Line to the Buckhead stop.) As I walked out of the station I figured it was worth checking to see if the Blue or Green Line stopped nearby as I always watched them whisk by the Buckhead stop every 3-5 minutes. Sure enough it stopped just a few feet from the exit (thank you kind hearted MARTA employee for being nice enough to point it out).
Now comes the cool part. As we were approaching the Buckhead stop I glanced to the right and saw the Purple Line turning in front us. We were at a red light so I was going to miss it. Waiting for the next Purlple Line or even walking was going to make me late. As I muttered aloud "oh damn" my travel angels must have heard me and filled the head of a car driver with implanted thoughts. At that moment some lark in a Lexus pulled in front of the Purple Line as it was trying to pull out (the car was dropping someone off). Drama ensued, horns blared and I am certain tempers flared. The diversion allowed my Tram to pull in and gave me just enough time to jump onto the Purple line. Mission accomplished.
Five star experience? Yes. However, I must remove 1 star for the Purple Line being so erratic in the morning. You can never truly know when it will arrive. Minus 1 star for never stopping at all the designated stops in the morning (It usually skips the one right after the Buckhead stop and I would hate to be the poor soul that ventures to that stop). Minus 1 star for the limited hours the Purple Line runs (only from 7am- 9:30am then 4pm-6:30pm). Plus one star for being free; free always trumps limited. Plus 1 star for helping keep this humble transplant employed without the need of a car.
Let the public record reflect a solid 4 star rating. read more