Shuttle bus service to and from the College Park MARTA station is available for the morning arrival hour and from the end of school to the end of afternoon activities. The station is about one mile from Main Campus. Approximately 300 students used the service daily last year. The heaviest use is from the North Springs, Lindbergh, Brookhaven and Arts Center Stations, but there is significant use from several other stations on the northern and eastern lines, and from various stops in Midtown and Five Points. The service is open to all students and staff for regular or occasional use. It is not necessary to sign up.
Shuttle Times
- Morning Shuttles, 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM.
- Afternoon Shuttles, 3:45 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:10 PM (Departs from the front of Gresham Chapel)
Please note: A member of the MARTA police department will board the train with each group of students departing in the afternoon and accompany them from the College Park Station to the Lindbergh Station.
Station Departure Times
The estimated trip time to College Park from the northernmost stations (North Springs and Doraville) and easternmost/westernmost stations (Indian Creek, Hamilton Homes) is about 40 minutes. Travel time from Midtown is about 20 minutes. Trains depart every eight minutes from those stations (and hence offer service every four minutes from stations south of Arts Center and Five Points).
The schedule can be checked at http://www.itsmarta.com/ or picked up at any MARTA station. The shuttle service is also available for those using MARTA bus service to the College Park station.
Cost, as of October 2, 2011
- The cost of the MARTA 10-ride student Breeze card is $14.40.
- There is an additional $3.60 per card Woodward shuttle fee.
- The total cost of each student Breeze card will be $18.00 starting October 2, 2011.
- The student Breeze cards are available in the Campus Store.
- The Breeze cards are valid for three months beginning with the date encoded on the back of the card.
Transferring Trains
There is no transfer necessary while traveling on the North-South lines. They are all direct, and we are the next-to-last stop before the airport. Students using the East-West line will have to transfer at Five Points, and parents should take one or more "dry runs" with their students to master the logistics of transfer.
Students returning northward will need to be careful to take the appropriate train, as the northern route splits after Lindbergh Station into Doraville and North Springs lines. Students returning on the Eastern spur will need to make sure their train continues to the end of the line.
Position in Trains
We cannot have dedicated Woodward cars, but we ask that all students move as far forward as seating is available in the train, assuring that they are in the most populated cars and likely to find each other.
Unexpected late arrival/early departures: If a student unexpectedly arrives later than the normal shuttle hours or must leave before normal shuttle hours, he or she can call the Assistant Dean of Students Office at 404.765.4456. We will arrange pick up or delivery. We cannot accommodate scheduled late arrivals for doctor's visits or other planned purposes.
Security
All evidence would indicate that travel by MARTA for this purpose is as safe or safer than vehicular travel. There is visible presence of security and attendants at all stations, and a member of the MARTA police force will board the train with each group of students departing in the afternoon and accompany them from the College Park Station to the Lindbergh Station. The greatest risk has proved to be occasional petty theft. Normal common sense is the best security precaution: do not carry valuables in easily accessible places in backpacks or purses; go directly to and from trains; and, above all, stay back from all tracks, avoiding any distracting physical play. There are intercoms on every car, and direct contact phone lines to MARTA in every station. We provide all students with a card with emergency numbers, and most students using MARTA have found it convenient and reassuring to carry a cell phone.
All students must go directly from the MARTA train to the Woodward Shuttle. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made except for with written permission from a parent, which must be presented when asked for by a Woodward representative at the MARTA station.
We expect that all students will adhere to our rules of behavior and decorum in traveling to and from the Academy.
Age of Users
Our principal objective is to give an alternative for students and families whose students would normally otherwise drive or carpool. The judgment as to when a student is ready must be parental. During the past year, daily we saw about 100 Upper School students, 100 Middle School students, 50 Lower School students and 10 Primary School students. (The youngest are accompanied by older students, usually siblings.)
Lower School Students
Lower School students are shuttled directly to and from the Lower School building in the morning and afternoon.
Access to Regular Woodward Bus Service
This MARTA station service is designed to supplement travel options, largely with a view toward replacing car travel. This service is not intended in any way to diminish our regular bus service. If a student prefers bus service after trying MARTA, Student Transport will prorate the fee for the remainder of the semester.
References
If you would like to talk with parents who take advantage of MARTA and our shuttle, please contact 404.765.4023 or email your request to bus@woodward.edu.
Occasional Bus Use
There is no sign-up for the service. The shuttle will take all comers; so occasional use as needed is perfectly acceptable.
Emergency Numbers
Each rider is provided with an emergency contact and a quick reference telephone card:
- MARTA Police Dispatch 404.848.4911
- MARTA Precinct 404.848-3641
- WA Security (cell) 404.557.7790
- WA Security (office) 404.765.4500
- Headmaster’s Office 404.765.4010
- Student Transport Bus Shuttle 404.765.4520
- Mr. Ron McCollum (cell) 404.427.6082
MARTA Shuttle for Woodward Academy: If you miss the shuttle, DO NOT WALK!
Call a Woodward Academy Security at 404.557.7790 for a ride to the station.
*Riders will meet the shuttle bus in front of the chapel.
Evening shuttles run at 3:45 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:10 PM.