My ideal CTA routes/changes

[artthouwill]

Well the use of, for example, X3 King Dr. Express is to make it stand out more that the route doesn't stop at every block, in CTA's management's eyes anyway since there are still folks who don't pay attention and get on an express when they want to go to a local stop. Also in the X3's case it was to make it less confusing because even though they had started calling it the 3L, the destination signs displayed 3 King Dr Limited. They hadn't really reprogrammed the destination signs from this route's first days when 3 was used for both the local and limiteds.

I don't buy that considering that you don't have a X53A South Pulaski Express. It (53A South Pulaski Limited) is the only route that is designated as a 'Limited" even though the X routes operate the same way. So I agree with Gene that Limited routes should be Limiteds.

Noteworthy. The automatic announcements for bus stops on the 49 Western always gets screwed up between 16th and Van Buren. For instance, northbound, the announcements says Ogden when you are approaching the Roosevelt stop, Polk at Harrison,etc. This is true only for the local and not the X49.

[jajuan]

I don't buy that considering that you don't have a X53A South Pulaski Express. It (53A South Pulaski Limited) is the only route that is designated as a 'Limited" even though the X routes operate the same way. So I agree with Gene that Limited routes should be Limiteds.

Notice I that I say in CTA management's eyes and not everyone in general. However, this is one of those things where it doesn't matter what the route is called as long it provides the type of service, in this case limited stop service, that it's supposed to provide. However since we're talking about eight crosstown X routes as opposed to one Limited I will say just leave well enough alone. I still say that having a bus a bus approach you displaying 'X3 KING DR EXPRESS' instead of '3 KING DR LIMITED' is less a confusion and hassle if you're someone in a bit of a hurry or otherwise on a time limit to get to your destination. Even though CTA had started using 3L in its literature when referring to the Limited route, the bus destination signs still had a 3 for BOTH the locals and limiteds. I've never seen a bus display 3L. I lost track of the number of people who thought they were on a local instead of a limited. You do have to admit when you're a pressed for time for the morning commute to work or one who's exhausted from a long day at work, you'll better distinguish between the two from a quick glance and seeing 3 or X3 than seeing 3 for both locals and limiteds. Archer was quicker at reprogramming their signs to update to 53AL from 53A for that Limited than 77th was to update to 3L from 3 for the King Dr Limited.

[Busjack]

By the way, when Bus Tracker says it has the 53A, does that include the Limited?

[jajuan]

By the way, when Bus Tracker says it has the 53A, does that include the Limited?

For now, it's only the locals.

[Zol87]

I've added a revision to my proposed 150 Clybourn/Elston. Here it goes:

The 150 would start at Union Station & head north to Jefferson Park Blue Line or Pulaski Blue Line. At US, it would operate via Jackson, State, Lake, Michigan, Chicago, Orleans, Clybourn, limited stops on Belmont, Elston, limited stops on Lawrence, and Lawrence to Milwaukee (Jeff Park). Of course, it could short-turn via exiting Elston at Irving Park Rd, and IP to the turnaround at Keystone (Pulaski Blue Line). This could take the pressure off riders who take the Milwaukee congestion bus.

What do you guys think? Last time I was down there, I spoke to a few people near Webster Place (Webster & Clybourn), and they've said that a bus route down Clybourn would reduce on the number of cars that goes down that street. I've also rumblings that the alderman wants it. In fact, should I write to 32nd ward alderman Scott Waugespack?

I agree that the Clybourn Elston route should be resurrected. It would serve a major corridor. It could run as a AM rush-PM rush route. Here is a picture of the old bus sign that I found at the Chicago Waterworks Visitor Center Gift Store.

[biffalow]

Here a change even though this will never happen: How about expanding the 53A service hours on weekends to about 12am. Cause the last one being at 8:35pm from 31st to 81st isnt cool. I understand the last bus going to 111th on weekends at 7pm but it should continue running to 81st afterwards. It dont make sense that the last bus going to 81st on weekdays from 31st is at 2:05am and the last one on weekends is at 8:35pm. :(

[Kevin]

Discussion regarding acceptance of Pace passes on CTA has been moved to Pace 2009 Budget.

[Zol87]

Many Garfield Park residents claim that they have to walk a long way to catch the #82 Kimball/Homan bus when leaving or going to the Conservatory station. This became a problem when the Homan Station was closed and replaced with Conservatory in order to create equal spacing between stations. What about having the #82 bus turn onto Lake at Homan Ave and then go down Central Park Dr to Washington BLVD and head back to Homan.

[Busjack]

Many Garfield Park residents claim that they have to walk a long way to catch the #82 Kimball/Homan bus when leaving or going to the Conservatory station. This became a problem when the Homan Station was closed and replaced with Conservatory in order to create equal spacing between stations. What about having the #82 bus turn onto Lake at Homan Ave and then go down Central Park Dr to Washington BLVD and head back to Homan.

It does hit me as somewhat strange that the bus was not rerouted the two blocks to feed the station. Anyone know why, except for CTA not thinking?

[artthouwill]

It does hit me as somewhat strange that the bus was not rerouted the two blocks to feed the station. Anyone know why, except for CTA not thinking?

I believe part of the reason is the narrowness of Lake Street to accomodate CTA buses on that stretch of Lake Street. Remember when there was a 16 Lake bus, they ran onlythe 3700 series Flxbles which were narrow (96 inches) and then the 4900s (TMCs) which were narrow and not accessible. Perhaps routing it through the Park via Washington and the north drive (I forget the name of that street), Central Park back to Washington and Homan would work, but I don't feel people would feel safe walking in the park (even for a very short distance) to transfer between bus and rail. I guess the other alternative would be to run Fulton to Central Park and Washington back to Homan.

[CircleSeven]

I believe part of the reason is the narrowness of Lake Street to accomodate CTA buses on that stretch of Lake Street. Remember when there was a 16 Lake bus, they ran onlythe 3700 series Flxbles which were narrow (96 inches) and then the 4900s (TMCs) which were narrow and not accessible. Perhaps routing it through the Park via Washington and the north drive (I forget the name of that street), Central Park back to Washington and Homan would work, but I don't feel people would feel safe walking in the park (even for a very short distance) to transfer between bus and rail. I guess the other alternative would be to run Fulton to Central Park and Washington back to Homan.

I think the north drive you're talking about is Schrader Drive. But if you go back if you do go the other way you would have to take Warren from Schrader and back to Homan. Going north from Conservatory Drive (Central Park) you would have to hit Fulton Blvd. and back to Homan. But this wouldn't truly work because this would have the route itself running a few minutes later than a regular trip, aside from all that traffic on the Kimball portion of the route. I find it stupid when they move the Homan Station to Central Park and you still have Wilson & Lawrence stations which is also 2 blocks from each other.

[BUSANGEL#1]

Another odd one is on the south end of the green line. The #59 59th/61st runs east on 61st but does not feed into either King Drive or Cottage Grove stations on 63rd. 63rd is wide enough since the the support beams are not on the street. Who wants to walk from 61st to 63rd, especially at night!

[Busjack]

Another odd one is on the south end of the green line. The #59 59th/61st runs east on 61st but does not feed into either King Drive or Cottage Grove stations on 63rd. 63rd is wide enough since the the support beams are not on the street. Who wants to walk from 61st to 63rd, especially at night!

The assumption was that 59 being routed into the Garfield Red Line (which hasn't changed since the Green Line project was started) was sufficient. Note also that 27 became 71, the main reason being that they wanted to route it to the Red Line instead of King Dr.-Green Line.

If I were in charge of rerouting 59 (and I am not), I would route it on 59th/60th east of Cottage, and serve some U of C people who might not be that eager to walk to 61st.

[jajuan]

I believe part of the reason is the narrowness of Lake Street to accomodate CTA buses on that stretch of Lake Street. Remember when there was a 16 Lake bus, they ran onlythe 3700 series Flxbles which were narrow (96 inches) and then the 4900s (TMCs) which were narrow and not accessible. Perhaps routing it through the Park via Washington and the north drive (I forget the name of that street), Central Park back to Washington and Homan would work, but I don't feel people would feel safe walking in the park (even for a very short distance) to transfer between bus and rail. I guess the other alternative would be to run Fulton to Central Park and Washington back to Homan.

I suggested the Fulton, Central Park, Washington routing directly to CTA over six years ago when I was losing ten minutes every morning walking from the 82 at Homan/Lake to the Central Park station. The CTA's response was that they would look into it, and I never heard anything else about it until now reading about it in discussion on the forum.

[BUSANGEL#1]

The assumption was that 59 being routed into the Garfield Red Line (which hasn't changed since the Green Line project was started) was sufficient. Note also that 27 became 71, the main reason being that they wanted to route it to the Red Line instead of King Dr.-Green Line.

If I were in charge of rerouting 59 (and I am not), I would route it on 59th/60th east of Cottage, and serve some U of C people who might not be that eager to walk to 61st.

It is still odd for a bus route to run two blocks away from a rail line and not serve it. I agree that #59 should run on 59th/60th to better serve U of C since it is so close to 63rd by running on 61st. That one killing shouldn't stop U of C students from walking one or two blocks for a bus. And besides #59 mostly runs during daylight hours AM rush-late PM rush and Saturday daylight hours.

[Busjack]

That one killing shouldn't stop U of C students from walking one or two blocks for a bus.

Having gone there, I will take your bet on that.

My father tried unilaterally to pull me out of the U of C when someone got killed on 53rd Street.

Also, a couple of months ago, a personal trainer I know told me he took the L to 63rd and Cottage and then walked to the U of C Hospitals, and it scared the bleep out of him. I told him there was a reason why there was a #2 bus. There is probably a similar reason for the 170-172 in that area.

Anyway, let me know how big of a wager you want to stake.

[geneking7320]

Having gone there, I will take your bet on that.

My father tried unilaterally to pull me out of the U of C when someone got killed on 53rd Street.

Also, a couple of months ago, a personal trainer I know told me he took the L to 63rd and Cottage and then walked to the U of C Hospitals, and it scared the bleep out of him. I told him there was a reason why there was a #2 bus. There is probably a similar reason for the 170-172 in that area.

Anyway, let me know how big of a wager you want to stake.

This portion of the thread gives me a chance to note that the 61st Street Green Line station has been gone since 1996 [it didn't reopen when the renovation of the Green Line was completed].My $0.02 suggestion would be to operate #59 59th/61st via King Drive, 63rd and Prairie Avenue back to 61st.

That would provide a connection to the King Dr station.

Gene King

[Zol87]

There should be a bus route runs between the Union/Ogilvie Metra stations and the Museum Campus.

[CircleSeven]

There should be a bus route runs between the Union/Ogilvie Metra stations and the Museum Campus.

We had a bus that went from the Ogilvie to the Museum Campus. The 127 NW/Madison, then they'd changed the route in 2006 and got rid of it not too long ago.

[geneking7320]

Hi All;

My proposal contemplates the CTA expanding the #1 Indiana/Hyde Park services per an experimental grant mentioned in other posts. It also contemplates proposed redevelopment of the Lake Meadows area

[east of King Drive between 31st and 35th streets] and Olympic Village development on the site of Michael Reese Hospital. I propose to operate #4 Cottage Grove north of 35th St on Cottage Grove.

I think when these areas [think east of King Dr between McCormick Place and 35th St] are redeveloped the street grid will be modified and Cottage Grove will be extended/filled in.

If nothing else, how about re-routing #4 back via 35th Street and King Dr [routing used prior to cutbacks of #38 Indiana and #1 Indiana/Hyde Park].

Gene King

[Busjack]

Hi All;

My proposal contemplates the CTA expanding the #1 Indiana/Hyde Park services per an experimental grant mentioned in other posts. It also contemplates proposed redevelopment of the Lake Meadows area [east of King Drive between 31st and 35th streets] and Olympic Village development on the site of Michael Reese Hospital. I propose to operate #4 Cottage Grove north of 35th St on Cottage Grove.

I think when these areas [think east of King Dr between McCormick Place and 35th St] are redeveloped the street grid will be modified and Cottage Grove will be extended/filled in.

If nothing else, how about re-routing #4 back via 35th Street and King Dr [routing used prior to cutbacks of #38 Indiana and #1 Indiana/Hyde Park].

Your last paragraph reinstates the 1 and 4 as how they were prior to about 2000. The justification for rerouting 4 was originally that it should cover the IIT area when 1 wasn't running (and originally was restricted to late evening and night runs when 1 wasn't). So, if midday parts of 1 are reinstated, that justification is diminished.

The reinstatement would also reinstate better service to McCormick Place, which now basically relies on 3. The few extended rush hour 129 runs won't make much difference (such as if you are going to the Auto Show mid-morning).

The old 1 (Drexel-Hyde Park) and 35 snaked around Lake Meadows, and that service will be ending in December. Since 4 is a much heavier route, the street grid modifications would be necessary to prevent 4 from being slowed to a very inefficient level. (I enjoyed the touristy approach to the old Drexel-Hyde Park, but would not have depended on it to get to Hyde Park in a speedy manner.)

[Tamir4317]

Regarding my proposed Clybourn/Elston route, I would like other user's ideas on where it should terminate

Which one of the following should be the Eastbound terminal

Union Station

Ogilvie/Union Station

Congress Plaza

Columbus/South Water

Museum Campus

Adams/Jefferson

And which should be the North/Westbound terminal

Jefferson Park Blue Line

Irving Park Blue Line

Montrose/Cicero (close to blue line)

Elston/Milwaukee

Also, is there service on Devon west of Kedzie? If not, then the 155 should be extended to Milwaukee/Imlay. Thus providing easier connection to PACE 270 and other northwest suburban routes.

[BusExpert32]

Regarding my proposed Clybourn/Elston route, I would like other user's ideas on where it should terminate

Which one of the following should be the Eastbound terminal

Union Station

Ogilvie/Union Station

Congress Plaza

Columbus/South Water

Museum Campus

Adams/Jefferson

And which should be the North/Westbound terminal

Jefferson Park Blue Line

Irving Park Blue Line

Montrose/Cicero (close to blue line)

Elston/Milwaukee

Also, is there service on Devon west of Kedzie? If not, then the 155 should be extended to Milwaukee/Imlay. Thus providing easier connection to PACE 270 and other northwest suburban routes.

I have preached for both route improvements but to no avail.

In regard to bringing back the #41, I believe it should operate from Milwaukee/Imlay to the Museum Campus.

[MetroShadow]

Regarding my proposed Clybourn/Elston route, I would like other user's ideas on where it should terminate

Which one of the following should be the Eastbound terminal

Union Station

Ogilvie/Union Station

Congress Plaza

Columbus/South Water

Museum Campus

Adams/Jefferson

And which should be the North/Westbound terminal

Jefferson Park Blue Line

Irving Park Blue Line

Montrose/Cicero (close to blue line)

Elston/Milwaukee

Also, is there service on Devon west of Kedzie? If not, then the 155 should be extended to Milwaukee/Imlay. Thus providing easier connection to PACE 270 and other northwest suburban routes.

I'll say Elston/Bryn Mawr, Irving Park/ Blue or The Jeff...although it depends on the potential passenger load north of Belmont, otherwise end it right there at Kimball/Belmont (like the classic 41). Eastbound Terminus depends on how far north you want the route to go. Ideally it'd be the Museum Campus, but in terms of efficiency, I'll say Union/Ogilvie with a Harrison/Desplaines layover.

As for Devon...there's no service between Milwaukee and McCormick, and I highly doubt if people would be interested in the "Superdawg Connector." I think half of that corridor is in suburban territory anyway. Let Pace handle it.

[Tamir4317]

Well, looks like Clybourn will get it's route back, though not the way we wanted.

Pages 2-3 of this link: http://www.leedcouncil.org/newsletter/j120.pdf

What I don't like about this proposed route is that it would terminate at Chicago/State. It would be hard for me, seeing that I catch the #14 to get downtown, and I hoped this bus would be near reasonable walking distance from the #14. I will write to CTA again, and I hope they'll consider extending it to Michigan/Congress or South Water/Columbus.

Although it won't go far north like the old #41, at least I'll have a better way to get to Webster Place.