RandyTravis' Blog

I took the bus to work the other day, a major accomplishment since I don't live anywhere near a bus line.

It happened on a recent Friday, not because gas is $4 a gallon, but because I wanted my daughter to meet me later in Atlanta for a Braves game without having to worry about two cars. OK, maybe the $4 a gallon part had a little to do with it, too.

I live in Gwinnett County, a place that when I first moved there 18 years ago refused to even consider accepting MARTA as an alternative to driving. I think the vote was 70-30 against the idea that year. Next week, Gwinnett voters get another chance in a non-binding vote to decide whether they want to spend an extra penny in sales tax to fund a MARTA rail line from Doraville to Gwinnett Place Mall, with stops on Jimmy Carter and Indian Trail.

Here's my safe prediction: the vote won't be 70-30 this time. I've actually taken the GRTA bus a few times from the Discover Mills lot, meeting my photographer at a MARTA station and then on to our story. I always counted about a hundred cars in the Discover Mills lot. This last time? At least 500 I would guess. It took me a while to even find a spot to park my car.

Obviously, the $4 monster has affected some commuters and the way they're choosing to get into town. I think the frustrating traffic has also pushed some people over the mass transit edge.

For me, I had to meet my photographer for a surveillance we were doing near Jimmy Carter Blvd. But my bus only stopped at Indian Trail before heading into the city. So I got off and walked the remaining 1.7 miles that morning to meet the undercover van already in place.

I had a long time to think about $4 a gallon, public transportation, my car and my feet.