Comment from Anonymous
Anonymous AnonymousSupportIndividual
Summary: A daily MARTA commuter argues that public transit will only be successful if it prioritizes rider safety through proactive security measures and structural changes. They advocate for the implementation of a system to track and publicly display crime metrics to hold transit providers accountable.
As a daily MARTA commuter, I am increasingly concerned by the lack of visible monitoring and security on the system. Confrontations and erratic behavior from individuals on trains and platforms frequently leave riders feeling unsafe. If public transit is to thrive, it cannot cater only to those with no other transportation options. Until the system is secure enough for vulnerable riders—including my wife and daughters—to travel alone comfortably, financial investments will fail to yield meaningful results. While federal agencies have rightly prioritized transit worker safety, rider safety requires equal, urgent attention. Public transportation providers must shift away from their current passive approach and implement proactive, structural changes to ensure a secure environment for all passengers. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Developing a system that accurately tracks crime metrics, and readily displays them to the public, will force public transportation providers to address riders' concerns.