Buckhead Uptown Connection

Only runs during the peak working hours, but is absolutely free.
The stops I am most familiar with are at red line Buckhead MARTA, directly in front of the Lenox Sq mall main entrance (they got rid of the route in the back of the food court), right next to Sprinkles Cupcakes.
Another is in front of the Marriott… not the JW Marriott, but the less aesthetic looking sister hotel across the street.
Takes one all over Buckhead, and makes ease to MARTA pub xport and high-​end shopping a total cinch! gottal love it.

Do people know this thing, the buc, exists? I don’t think I’ve ridden with more than 4 other people at any given time.
From the website, the buc is «a community shuttle service designed to provide FAST, FREE and FREQUENT“last mile» connections between Atlanta’s regional rail system, MARTA, and local destinations for Buckhead’s workforce.” Did you catch that? It’s free.
There are two lines, but the Piedmont-​Lenox line is the main one, and the only one I’ve taken. The line runs Mon-​Fri from 6:30 to 9:30am and 3:30 to 7:00pm, showing up in 10 minute intervals. They’re pretty consistent for the most part, but Buckhead traffic gets in the way of the schedule sometimes, especially in the afternoon.
As of this review, the Piedmont-​Lenox line has 15 stops, with the southeastern most point being MARTA’s Lenox Station and the northwestern most point being the Piedmont Center building, near the intersection of Piedmont and Lenox roads (you know, near the Hampton Inn, Chipotle, Farm Burger). Seeing as there is always construction in Buckhead, it’s best to check the website for updated closures or modifications to the routes:
Riding the buc may not be the most time-​efficient mode of transportation, but it gets you from point A to point B in a comfortable, air-​conditioned shuttle bus. For example, it took 18 minutes to ride from Lenox Station to the Lenox Marketplace stop (where the Target and Publix are). That same walk is about 9 – 11 minutes. Quick note-​There is no signage at the northbound Lenox Marketplace stop. Stand under the Publix/Target/Dick’s shopping center sign.
My rides on the buc have been great so far. Drivers are friendly, passengers (when there are any) are respectful. It’s really a pleasant experience as long as you’re not in a rush to get there.
The drivers seem to keep track of ridership at each stop, so when I’m the only one on board, sometimes I worry about the service being at risk of going away. «Past performance is not indicative of future results,» but it’s been around since 2003, the last review was 3 years ago, and it seems to be pretty well funded. Hopefully it’s here to stay. Long live the buc. Thanks for assisting my sedentarism.

The Buckhead Uptown Connection or Buc is a great local shuttle service that provides Buckhead commuters, visitors and residents with fast, frequent and free connections to area destinations and MARTA as well as other area transit services. It consists of four lines, Red, Purple, Blue and Green Lines. The drivers are very helpful and pleasent. The shuttles are clean, comfortable and air conditioned.
The Red Line runs weekdays from 6am to 8pm every 10 to 15 minutes. It goes between the following:
AT&T Building 2180
AT&T Building 1025
AT&T Building 1277
Atlanta Plaza/​Resurgens Plaza
It also goes to the Lenox Square Food Court from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.
The Purple Lines only runs 7 am to 9:30 am every 20 minutes. And 3:30 pm to 6:45 pm every 30 minutes.
It goes between the following:
Piedmont Center
Securities Centre
Piedmont Peachtree Crossing
Buckhead MARTA Northbound
Stratford Road
Buckhead MARTA Southbound
Piedmont Peachtree Crossing
The Prominence
The Blue and Green Lines are the two main routes that provide shuttle service between the MARTA Rail, Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, office buildings and hotels. The Blue line runs in a clockwise fashion and is the most direct route from Lenox Square to Phipps Plaza. The Green Line runs in a counter clockwise fashion. The Blue and Green Lines run 7 am to 9:30 am every 8 minutes. 11:30 am to 1:30pm every 20 minutes and 3:30 pm to 7 pm every 10 minutes.
They both go to the following:
Lenox MARTA
Lenox Square Food Court
Lenox Square/​JW Marriott
Lenox Square Front Entrance Southbound
Buckhead MARTA Southbound/​One Capital City Plaza
Grand Hyatt
Tower Place 100/​Doubletree/​Marriott Courtyard
Buckhead MARTA Northbound
Lenox Square Front Entrance Northbound
Alliance Center
Phipps Plaza
The Pinnacle/​Target/​Two Live Oak
Atlanta Plaza/​Resurgens Plaza
The Buc also runs on Saturday 9 am to 10 pm. The Buc operates half day schedules on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The Buc does not run on the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Insider Tip #1: Every shuttle has two bicycles racks so bicycle riders can bring their bikes along.
Insider Tip #2 If your ride the Buc a lot be sure to sign up for their free frequent rider card. Ask the driver for a card and get it stamp each time you ride. Get 15 stamps in three months and earn free stuff from Buckhead restaurants and retailers!

Can I write a review without a dramatic backstory? No.
This review shall be no different.
I am a Southern California transplant. Like all persons from So. Cal; I was driving by the age of 4, purchased my first car by 7 and have maintained a symbiotic relationship with my automobile much like the blue smurfs and the flying creatures in Avatar. However, when I moved to Atlanta I did not bring my car with me (gasp; the shame, the horror!). I am a tram taking, train riding commuter. Today’s adventure is about my experience on The Buckhead Uptown Connection (aka The Buc).
There are 4 Buc lines; the Red Line (not to be confused with the MARTA Red Line) the Green Line, the Blue Line (Blue and Green Lines run the same route except one goes clockwise while the other goes counterclockwise). Finally, there is the Purple Line. The Purple Line runs the least of them all. Of course, I ride the Purple Line and it usually frustrates me.
Who knows when the Purple line will arrive at the Buckhead MARTA stop? Experience has proven it will arrive at the Buckhead stop between 8:30am and 9:00am (this is when it matters to me). Ideally, it will get there around 8:45. However, I’ve watched it arrive as early as 8:35 and as late as 8:52. Whatever. I normally have about a 15 minute wait from the time I arrive at the Redline Buckhead stop until the Purple line arrives for the 5 minute shuttle ride to the office. I could walk, but it is a 15 minute walk and I’ve watched like a goof as the Purple line arrives at the office at the same time I do. I feel better waiting.
Today’s drama was ENTIRELY self-​inflicted. After arriving at the Art Center MARTA station I began fumbling with my IPOD. A train pulled up, I got on board. After leaving the Lindbergh Station I noticed the scenery was different… I was on the wrong train. Ooops. I got off at the Lennox stop with the intent of walking to the JW Marriott and catching a cab (too late to go back to Lindbergh and catch the Red Line to the Buckhead stop.) As I walked out of the station I figured it was worth checking to see if the Blue or Green Line stopped nearby as I always watched them whisk by the Buckhead stop every 3 – 5 minutes. Sure enough it stopped just a few feet from the exit (thank you kind hearted MARTA employee for being nice enough to point it out).
Now comes the cool part. As we were approaching the Buckhead stop I glanced to the right and saw the Purple Line turning in front us. We were at a red light so I was going to miss it. Waiting for the next Purlple Line or even walking was going to make me late. As I muttered aloud «oh damn» my travel angels must have heard me and filled the head of a car driver with implanted thoughts. At that moment some lark in a Lexus pulled in front of the Purple Line as it was trying to pull out (the car was dropping someone off). Drama ensued, horns blared and I am certain tempers flared. The diversion allowed my Tram to pull in and gave me just enough time to jump onto the Purple line. Mission accomplished.
Five star experience? Yes. However, I must remove 1 star for the Purple Line being so erratic in the morning. You can never truly know when it will arrive. Minus 1 star for never stopping at all the designated stops in the morning (It usually skips the one right after the Buckhead stop and I would hate to be the poor soul that ventures to that stop). Minus 1 star for the limited hours the Purple Line runs (only from 7am– 9:30am then 4pm-6:30pm). Plus one star for being free; free always trumps limited. Plus 1 star for helping keep this humble transplant employed without the need of a car.
Let the public record reflect a solid 4 star rating.