John is a Software Engineer at Square who was feeling stressed due to his tiring drive from his home in Ormewood Park to his job in Atlantic Station each day. Even though he lived a mere 15 minutes from his office, his car ride had turned into 45 minutes with all the traffic. 

Ever since a friend suggested he try taking MARTA to work, John has been hooked and now enjoys a stress-free commute that allows him to read books and bypass traffic. 

We recently spoke with John, and he shared all about his experience and how making the switch has improved his life.

When did you start working at Square, and where are you commuting from?

I started working at Square in August 2015, and I commute from Ormewood Park. 

What led you to start taking MARTA to work? 

I noticed recently that my commute was very stressful. With no traffic, it was 15 minutes, but normally it was taking 45 minutes. There were lots of intersections, most of which were blocked and jam-packed. I was always arriving home from work stressed out. 

One day, I was talking with a friend, and he suggested taking MARTA. Switching to MARTA doesn’t save me a lot of time, but it does save me a lot of headaches. MARTA also provides more structure in my life. If I don’t get up to catch my train, I end up goofing around and running late.  

How do you usually spend your time while riding MARTA?

Reading! I took a New Year’s resolution to read 12 books this year.

What is your favorite part about riding MARTA to work?

I’m gaining more me-time during the day and arriving to work stress-free. I also am getting exercise because I have to walk to get to the different stations. I get off at the Arts Center station and walk to the BB&T building. 

What tips do you have for people considering changing their commute?

Use Google Maps for your initial planning. You can tell what time you need to get somewhere or what time you need to leave. Try to use the desktop version over the mobile app as you can plan your departure and arrival times. 

The signs may be confusing if you are a new rider. One time I missed the train because I was paying attention to the wrong sign. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the stations and the destinations they serve to ensure you understand which train to board. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your commute? 

It’s helped me feel less stressed, and I enjoy the little walks between the stations and my endpoints. I encourage other people to try it! 

Atlantans across the city are breaking out their bikes for the Atlanta Bike Challenge, taking place throughout October. In celebration of the challenge, ASAP+ recently teamed up with Atlanta Bicycle Coalition to offer a City Cycling class to help Atlantic Station employees and residents gear up for riding on city streets.  

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bike rider, the class offers tips and support to riders at all levels to boost your confidence cycling around the city. And if you are an experienced rider, the class offers the opportunity to explore parts of town you normally wouldn’t get to enjoy by bike while in good company. Check out the schedule of Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s upcoming classes to reserve your spot for the next class. 

Ready to ride with us in the next class? Here’s what to expect:

1. Bring your own bike, helmet, and water. If you don’t own a road bike, the classes offer access to Relay Bikes, so you can use one
   for free! Pro tip: If you choose to ride a Relay bicycle, be prepared for a bit of a challenge, as the bikes are heavier than your typical road bike.
2. Get ready for the road with drills and rundowns. Stephen Spring, the Education Coordinator for Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, kicks off classes with quick drills like stopping and starting, taking turns, and using hand signaling for cars on the road.
3. Wear athletic clothes. We rode about 5 miles during the 1-hour class, beginning at Atlantic Station, traveling through Georgia Tech, and heading down Peachtree Street. Make sure you’re ready for the ride by wearing something comfortable.

Ready to ride?

Join forces with the 4,000 people taking part in the Atlanta Bike Challenge this October. To get started, grab your friends, family, or coworkers and register as a team. Or, you can sign yourself up as an individual. Be sure to log any bike rides you take during October, so you can earn points and possibly win some prizes! 

Want to be rewarded for riding your bike? Take part in the Atlanta Bike Challenge during October, and you can have a chance at some great prizes by riding your bike – whether it’s around your neighborhood, down the Beltline, or maybe even to the office.

Ready to accept the challenge? Follow these steps:

Create a profile.

Log any bike trips you take during October for your shot at some great prizes, including an Edison Electric Bike up for grabs. 

RSVP for Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s City Cycling Confidence Class at Atlantic Station on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 5:30 PM to gain confidence cycling around the city.

Atlanta’s gridlock can be a stressful start and end to each workday for residents. This was the case for Fritz, an employee at Womble Bond & Dickinson, who drove from his home in Acworth to his job in Atlantic Station for five years. Tired of racking up 50+ miles to work and back each day, Fritz realized he needed a better way to get to work and decided to make the switch to a more relaxing ride on an Xpress bus.

Fritz recently connected with us to share how choosing to ride Xpress proved to be a more reliable, stress-free way to arrive at work.

ASAP+: When did you start working at Atlantic Station, and where are you commuting from?

Fritz: I have worked at Atlantic Station since 2009. I commute from Acworth each day, which is 27 miles each way. Most days I park my car at the Woodstock park-n-ride, and take the 483 Xpress bus.

ASAP+: What led you to start taking Xpress to work?

Fritz: I started taking Xpress about 5 years ago to reduce my stress levels from driving. As the Facilities Manager at Womble Bond & Dickinson, it is important for me to be in the office consistently, and the Xpress commuter bus has proven to be a very reliable way for me to avoid sitting in traffic.

ASAP+: What is your favorite part about riding Xpress?

Fritz: Stress relief! Xpress is comfortable and timely. I know that if I am at the park-n-ride at 6:45 AM, I can be at work by 8 AM. There’s extra planning involved, but it’s worth it. Sometimes I drive to work, but I occasionally find myself heading down to the bus because I’m in the habit of using Xpress.

ASAP+: How do you usually spend your time while riding Xpress?

Fritz: I catch up on emails, take a nap, or read a book.

ASAP+: What tips do you have for people considering changing their commute? 

Fritz: Try it! Don’t underestimate the bus! I’ve noticed that some people have a preconceived notion about taking transit. Xpress is not a typical bus experience. There’s Wi-Fi, seats that recline, reading lights, and personal AC vents. Everyone practices “quiet bus” etiquette so that people can sleep and relax. Plus, SRTA gives riders the capability to track their bus via a phone app.

ASAP+: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your commute? 

Fritz: Taking the bus will add years to your lifespan!  

Integrating flexibility into the workplace is on the rise among companies across the U.S. From small startups to global enterprises, an accelerated force of workplaces are weaving it into the fabric of their operations and culture.

The 2018 Fortune ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ roster boasts many that have embraced workplace flexibility: 79 of the 100 companies offered teleworking in 2018. As more and more embrace flexible arrangements, they’re proving to be a competitive edge to attract a top-tier workforce and sustain an engaged employee culture.

Here are three easy ways you can introduce flexible working to your employees:

• Flexible work hours allow companies to shift employee workday start and end times to avoid peak commute hours. For example, it could mean adjusting start and end times to 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Telework connects employees with the opportunity to perform their job duties and responsibilities from home. Believe it or not, studies have found that teleworkers and their managers reported improvements in job performance.
• Compressed work weeks let employees work their standard 40-hour week in less than five workdays. For example, instead of the standard 8-hour day, employees can work 10 hours each day from Monday – Thursday, accomplishing the standard number of working hours in a week but having Friday off.

Interested in establishing a flexible work arrangement at your company, but not sure where to start? We’re here to help. Send us a note to get started.

Bike There Day is taking place Friday, May 17. Between  7 – 10 a.m., stop by our Energizer Station, located on 17^th Street outside of the Wells Fargo building, and fuel up for your day with coffee, light breakfast, and Clif Bars.

Take part in our group “Bike Train” ride that leaves Atlantic Station at 7:45 a.m. and travels to Colony Square in Midtown. From there, you can either ride in a Bike Train to Downtown, CDC/Emory, or Buckhead alongside a ride leader. Here’s your sneak peek at the Bike Train routes.

Learn more about Bike There Day and RSVP to save your spot.

Super Bowl LIII and its 10 days of events are happening Saturday, Jan. 26 through Monday, Feb. 4.

What You Can Expect 

• MARTA running 24-hour service (Friday, Feb. 1 – Tuesday, Feb. 5). Plan for longer MARTA wait times during the Super Bowl dates, especially at the Five Points station.
• Bus Route 94 (Northside Dr) is being rerouted. The bus route which services Atlantic Station will be rerouted Saturday, Feb. 2 through Sunday, Feb. 3 due to road closures.
• Bus Route 40 (Peachtree St/Downtown) is being rerouted. The bus route which services the MARTA Arts Center station will be rerouted on Saturday, Feb. 2.
• Atlantic Station Holding Related Events.
  • 680 The Fan’s Superweek Tailgate on Thursday, Jan. 31 from 6 – 11 p.m.
  • Foo Fighters with Run the Jewels on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.
  • Big Game Brunch on Sunday, Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Stay Ahead of the Game

• Click here to view MARTA’s Super Bowl schedule.
• Download the MARTA On the Go app.
• Follow MARTA on Twitter for service updates in real-time.

How Atlantic Station Companies Reacted to the Bridge Collapse
Atlantic Station’s long standing tenant, Search Discovery, have called their 271 17th St NW office home since 2013. They are a digital intelligence company with 37 local employees (and 52 remote) who recently found themselves in a position for an entirely new type of innovation. The I-85 bridge collapse left many Atlantans, including those at Search Discovery, scrambling for alternative routes to work.
No stranger to quick thought and action, Search Discovery knew they had to act quickly to keep employees satisfied and productive during the commute chaos. Search Discovery began encouraging employees to utilize the alternative transportation infrastructure available at Atlantic Station – MARTA, Atlantic Station shuttle, bike lanes, safe walking routes – and offering flexible work arrangements for commuters who were unable to take advantage of Atlantic Station’s transportation amenities. Walking and biking into the office became more popular than ever for centrally located employees, while flexible hours and remote working options have been utilized by those unable to make the commute on foot. Search Discovery reports that “employees have taken advantage of flexible hours and working from home, helping them avoid traffic and maximize their work days.” Transit has made an impact on this group as well, with many employees riding MARTA to work for the first time ever. We were thrilled to see how companies of all sizes at Atlantic Station found solutions and made it work!

Do you have a success story to share? Whether it’s about I-85 or otherwise, we would love to hear from you! Share your stories by sending an email to [email protected].