MARTA elevators are more accurately described as
homeless urinals. These elevators rarely
smell of anything besides
rancid urine. If they do have a different smell it is the smell of diluted
bleach that the oh so
talented cleaning crew has sparingly used to "clean" the
elevator. Most people would just accept this as on of the daily hassles of life in
Atlanta but my situation is slightly different. I am in a
wheelchair and whatever is on the ground will eventually be on my
tires which in turn will
transfer to my
hands and occasionally my
forearms. As you can see, this can become quite
disgusting.
My other problem with MARTA elevators is that the majority of the people in the Metro Atlanta must be illiterate. There are several signs stating that the elevators are for the disabled (this includes the elderly, pregnant women, and the injured; and no I am not implying that pregnant women are disabled but it is what the sign means I promise), people with luggage, and people with strollers. All other MARTA patrons are to use the escalators. Herein lies the problem. If there was a difference in effort between standing on an elevator and standing on an escalator then I might understand these people who use the elevator against the wishes of the MARTA administration. But there isn't. What possible benefit does someone gain from using the elevator. It is not faster and it doesn't require less effort. All this practice brings is a crowded elevator.
Don't get me wrong I appreciate public transportation. I guess it boils down to the fact that I just wish people were more considerate.