Here let me get that for you…

I can define this alert for you, MARTA.

MARTA was supposed to be free. Back when it was first created, the idea was that you should be able to waltz on to the train / bus combo and waltz off without paying a red cent.

That changed. The fare hikes have been coming throughout the years, and now this October 1st, MARTA claims they're going to go up to $2.00 a shot.

This is after they posted PROFITS over the last two years. This is after they just launched a brand new website (the "System Alert" function of which is...um...not working yet?)

I'm alerted. I'm alerted that someone is playing power politics - I don't know who. I'm alerted that, yet again, poor people are going to be shouldering the bulk of the burden to keep the roads clear for the expensive gas guzzlers.

So much for the Green Economy. The only color green at work here is that Dollar Bill shaded color. It doesn't matter that it's a better idea to put your money into mass transit, INCREASE service, LOWER fares than it is to BUILD MORE ROADS.

I just don't understand.

Why is MARTA quoting the fact that they got back-up money from the stimulus package as a means of explaining why they are raising their rates? That is a complete smoke and mirrors argument.

Here's why your rates are going up:

1.) Transportation costs are going up because of the cost of oil, and MARTA hasn't reinvested in enough infrastructure to cut down on the costs over the long haul by switching to electricity and other alternative fuels.

2.) The State Legislature couldn't give two figs for MARTA - they see it as an Atlanta city problem, not as a state problem.

We've gone so far away from the original vision of MARTA: a free transportation system for everybody. If we funded MARTA like we fund our schools, then nobody would have to pay and there would be posh velvet seats on every bus and working elevators and escalators on every platform.

Where are our priorities, in a bad economic time? They shouldn't be "Make it harder on people who can't afford / choose not to contribute to our growing bad air / carbon problem."