Chicago transit: Ideas to reach 1 billion rides a year

[jacksone44]

This is a very interesting topic and would like to start a blog about it. What are some of your thoughts?

[MetroShadow]

The winner's concept, although in "good intention" is absolutely bullplop.

[jacksone44]

The winner's concept, although in "good intention" is absolutely bullplop.

A lot of his was farfetched, but the one thing that stuck out to me that I felt was the most important was the fact that the region (all parties involved) as a WHOLE really needs to come together and define what we want our public transit infrastructure to look like over the long term. Not exact words, but that is what was interpreted...

[Busjack]

The winner's concept, although in "good intention" is absolutely bullplop.

I had a similar impression when first reading it, and since Dave mentioned it, on reading it again.

Indeed it is mostly as he characterized it. You can't go to 10 car trains unless you expand all the platforms and get maybe another 200 cars. And, knowing the CTA, the flip side probably would be less frequency. Killing the Red Line extension makes no sense. Also, what he said about Metra made absolutely no sense. Is everyone supposed to walk to the train station, from 4 miles away? Or since it is one car trip, isn't the 4 mile car trip to the Metra station better than a 30 mile trip downtown?

The only thing that comes close to making sense is rush hour pricing.

The one thing that Hilkevitch does correctly point out is that in the old days, ridership was measured by originating fares. Since it is by unlinked trips now, it is probably twice the old measure. Cutting out bus transfers only decreased it a bit. People still don't realize that the way CTA counts it, the average ride is about $1.05, not the $2.25 you have to put in a bus farebox.

[Busjack]

A lot of his was farfetched, but the one thing that stuck out to me that I felt was the most important was the fact that the region (all parties involved) as a WHOLE really needs to come together and define what we want our public transit infrastructure to look like over the long term.

But if he meant that, the implication that the suburbs weren't entitled to anything doesn't wash. Especially since the powers that be expect the suburbanites to pay for it.

[MVTArider]

... the region (all parties involved) as a WHOLE really needs to come together and define what we want our public transit infrastructure to look like over the long term.

Well I don't live in Chicagoland but I think for starters steering away from looking like (expletive deleted) would be a nice start.

EDIT:

I had a similar impression when first reading it, and since Dave mentioned it, on reading it again.

Thanks, I was wondering what you guys were talking about.

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EDIT 2: To clarify I mean keep stuff clean, clean up the rusty EL structure, adding some better lighting and transparency in dark areas will makes riders feel safer, have regular patrols to keep the troublemakers out, etc.

[jajuan]

Well I don't live in Chicagoland but I think for starters steering away from looking like (expletive deleted) would be a nice start.

EDIT:

Thanks, I was wondering what you guys were talking about.

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EDIT 2: To clarify I mean keep stuff clean, clean up the rusty EL structure, adding some better lighting and transparency in dark areas will makes riders feel safer, have regular patrols to keep the troublemakers out, etc.

With the Green Line rehabilitation. that of the Brown Line currently occurring now, and the previous one of the Pink Line (former Blue Line Douglas Branch), there are far less rusty L structures than there used to be. The issue with platform lighting is bieng worked on, but I will agree that there is still a ways to go. The buses and trains have generally been clean and I use the CTA every day, so that criticism doesn't completely fly either. As for dirty exteriors in winter months, how could anyone expect a vehicle that operates in some cases 17 hours or more to remain too clean when it's operating in the salt and snow during a Chicago snowstorm? Even car owners don't expect their cars to stay clean in those conditions.

[santran]

I think the L system is not up to par. For being the #2 in the states for rail is sucks. There are not enough lines and what we have is so old. Most of the bridges on the north red line look as if they want to crumble. Most trucks can not even get under an underpass, because they are so old and this state has no money to replace them and there clearence. But then again, we pay more in Tax then anyone else, where would we get the money.

[MVTArider]

With the Green Line rehabilitation. that of the Brown Line currently occurring now, and the previous one of the Pink Line (former Blue Line Douglas Branch), there are far less rusty L structures than there used to be. The issue with platform lighting is bieng worked on, but I will agree that there is still a ways to go. The buses and trains have generally been clean and I use the CTA every day, so that criticism doesn't completely fly either. As for dirty exteriors in winter months, how could anyone expect a vehicle that operates in some cases 17 hours or more to remain too clean when it's operating in the salt and snow during a Chicago snowstorm? Even car owners don't expect their cars to stay clean in those conditions.

Thats great that stuff seems to be taken care of then or is being updated To clarify more I don't expect 'operating room for open heart surgery' clean, just stay on top of litter and graffiti. If someone complains about the bus reeking of cat urine, have a way to get it cleaned up ASAP. It sounds like this is already done pretty well so just keep it up then. Of course I wouldn't expect the buses to be shiny white in the winter either. I'm just saying keep what you got clean and neat and that will help folks have a positive experience, thus leading to more rides.

As I stated before i'm not a Chicagoland resident so I don't ride CTA every day, its just stuff like rusty EL structure and litter is what I remember from times I have ridden. That doesn't bother me but for someone with a bias against transit who then tries CTA for the first time and for example; sees litter, drug dealing, and doesn't feel safe because someone was tagging the train car, they might not want to ride again regardless of whether the train/bus was on time and got them where they needed to go.

[santran]

As for the bus service, I think it is very good, at least on the busy lines. Most cities do not offer an 8 min headway on a Sunday route, but the CTA does. I would like for the buses to be a little more clean on the inside at pull out but that has to do with internal mng. making that decision. And lets just be thankful CTA is using a company like NF to make it's buses, they could have went with a low bidder and had more S**t on the streets then we could count.