Are the detours and all the construction stemming from the I-85 bridge collapse causing folks to cut back on trips to the Atlanta IKEA?
Who knows? In any event, the Swedish purveyor of build-your-own bunk beds and Lingenberry this-and-that on Friday blasted out an email about its “I-85 Bridge Event.” Specifically, it’s a coupon good for $20 off a purchase of $150 or more before tax at the IKEA located on 16th Street near Atlantic Station.
That’s a lot of Swedish meatballs . . .
“With the I-85 bridge out, you may not have had a chance to stop by IKEA Atlanta lately. But what better time than now,” read the email, which even went so far as to provide driving directions. “Take I-285 W to I-75 S.”
(What's that you say, you didn't get the email? Not to worry, just go to www.ikea.com and click on "Atlanta" under the store location tab, and get your own copy of the coupon to print out.)
The deal’s valid through June 30 at IKEA Atlanta only.
Related video: MARTA works to expand parking options at stations during I-85 construction
Meanwhile, Uber is extending and expanding on the program of discounted rides to and from MARTA stations it started soon after the portion of I-85 collapsed on March 30 (Rival ride share service Lyft, later responded with its own version of a MARTA discount).
With a portion of the interstate that runs right through the heart of the city closed at least through June, the number of commuters taking MARTA instead of driving suddenly surged. As many stations ran out of parking spots, MARTA encouraged riders to carpool or get dropped off at stations. That's when Uber stepped in with its discounted fares on uberPOOL, the service that allows passengers heading in the same direction to share rides and split the cost.
RELATED: Atlanta I-85 bridge collapse: MARTA stations run out of parking early
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In May, all riders will automatically receive 50 percent off all weekday uberPOOL rides that begin or end at a MARTA station (except the Airport station), during commuter hours (5-10AM and 4-8PM). That’s an hour earlier than the discounted rides had previously begun, a change Uber said it made “after listening to feedback from riders across Atlanta.”
And if any of that feedback came from commuters who use GRTA's Xpress Park-and-Ride lots, well, they'll be getting the same discount in May, too. Under a just announced partnership between Uber and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, any uberPOOL fare that begins or ends at an Xpress Park-and-Ride during morning and afternoon commuting hours will be slashed 50 percent. The promotion, which runs through May 31, excludes Hamilton Mill and Cumming, which do not have uberPOOL availability.
For additional information and a map of all GRTA Xpress Park-and-Ride locations, visit www.xpressga.com.
For more information on Uber and the discounted uberPOOL rides, visit www.uber.com.
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