Turn Up the Air

MARTA is "Smarta" as the old slogan says. But is it really if Atlanta's main publication public transportation does not add new train cars during rush hour travel and consumers are forced to wait at times for the next train?

Economic woes are gripping consumers' wallets. People are turning to MARTA -- and other forms of transportation -- to save on gas costs and they are jamming the trains in Atlanta's sweltering temperatures.

Total ridership in May jumped 13 percent compared with the year earlier, according to MARTA spokeswoman Cara Hodgson. 

While MARTA is lining its own pockets after years of struggling to attract riders, can they at least turn up the air conditioning?