Taking Pics/Making Vids Illegal ?

[Busjack]

I've never had a problem taking pictures of CTA trains, but i've been caught three times at the 103rd Garage turnaround, now what other location should i gonna take pictures of buses come from the garage besides the 103rd/Stony terminal?

It has been otherwise suggested to be somewhere on a public street or adjoining sidewalk. I suppose one doesn't have to be immediately in front of the garage to take pictures of buses on 103rd Street, or on 95th outside the Red Line station.

BTW, with CTA not getting any new buses lately or in the near future, I wonder what objects of interest are there to photograph, unless you are into wraps.

[cta5658]

It has been otherwise suggested to be somewhere on a public street or adjoining sidewalk. I suppose one doesn't have to be immediately in front of the garage to take pictures of buses on 103rd Street, or on 95th outside the Red Line station.

BTW, with CTA not getting any new buses lately or in the near future, I wonder what objects of interest are there to photograph, unless you are into wraps.

or maybe i could go to 95th/Stony Island

[artthouwill]

I've never had a problem taking pictures of CTA trains, but i've been caught three times at the 103rd Garage turnaround, now what other location should i gonna take pictures of buses come from the garage besides the 103rd/Stony terminal?

Just stand at the bus stop located at the NE corner of 103rd and Stony Island (on 103rd).

If you face north and slightly west, you will still get a great view of buses in the turnaround (might need to zoom camera in), AND you are not on CTA property. You can even stand on the NW corner if you like, you are not on CTA property.

[artthouwill]

I guess a qualification to this rule exists if you are a sex offender. Chicago Breaking News story.

Of course, one thinks that the persons posing this question are more interested in the pictures of the bus than the kiddies.

So all they had to do was review the videotape on that bus to track down the picture of the man taking pictures, they ran his photo through their database and whoa nellie! I'm glad I don't have a criminal record.

[artthouwill]

Taking photos/vids of the CTA is as easy as you want it to be. I went biking with a friend a couple of weeks ago, and we stopped by Forest Glen garage. My friend wanted to get a better look of what was going on further in, so he went inside the south FG lot and rode his bike all over the lot. He waved to some bus drivers, and they waved back. I refrained from going onto CTA property with him due to my prior knowledge, but right after nothing happened I felt like I should have. He had a good mindset: that it's just some parking lot and why should he be afraid of biking on it. He did trespass but didn't damage anything. So for those that are afraid of getting hassled by CTA employees for photography, you just can't be if you want to get the photos that you want. Confident people can run circles around ignorant CTA employees. Having a heart attack everytime an employee comes toward you won't work.

A while back I thought I could take a shortcut through a school bus lot to get to where I was going. It turned out that wasn't the case, so I left. This was an innocent mistake as I wasn't very familiar with this area. Once I got off the property, a man in a car approached me and identified himself to me as security wanted to know why I was on the lot. I explained to him my intent, to which he basically told me I was trespassing. I apologized again and reiterated my intent. When he asked me to empty my pockets, I promptly ended that conversation and proceeded about my business. He followed threatening to call the police, and I told him I should be the one calling them because at that point he was harrassing me. He took off, so I called the popos. Long story short, the police advised me not to seek charges against him else he might seek countercharges of trespassing,

In A sense, I can understand the big deal. Someone could hide out in an empty bus and rob or rape a driver or passenger. I remember one of the biggest scares I had was driving a bus back to the garage thinking I had discharged all of my passengers, but there was one man who overslept and was scrunched down in his seat out of my view. with the lights out inside the bus, it is a scary feeling to hear a voice on the bus when you think you are the only one on there. If that wasn't enough, there were two more people in the very rear of the bus. I was upset because my coordinator who was supposed to have checked the bus out didn't do his job. When I dropped those people off, I walked through my coach myself, even checking the lavatory to make sure I was the only soul left on the bus.

Back on topic: there is a safety issue with random people roaming on CTA property. It would be nice if CTA could have guided tours or let fans take pics provided there were CTA personnel who would act as escorts during specified hours.

[Nabi60SFW9620]

To me there is nothing wrong with photographing transit equipment. However. I only use my digital camera to photograph transit equipment at annual roadeos. But other then that Ive always grabbed my camera phone and snapped a shot.

[FlxibleMetro9150]

I was near Union Station earlier this month & was told by a Supervisor, I think that's what they were. Anyway, that taking photos was against the rules of the CTA. I almost told them off but didn't want to get arrested! I've also been asked by some CTA Drivers at The Museum of Science & Industry why I am taking photos of the buses. I was also asked by a Pace driver once. Anyway, sounds like Transpo in South Bend, they're paranoid there, too! I know I ride Transpo everyday!

[FlxibleMetro9150]

It has been otherwise suggested to be somewhere on a public street or adjoining sidewalk. I suppose one doesn't have to be immediately in front of the garage to take pictures of buses on 103rd Street, or on 95th outside the Red Line station.

BTW, with CTA not getting any new buses lately or in the near future, I wonder what objects of interest are there to photograph, unless you are into wraps.

Would you like a New Flyer or Nova? LOL! I loved taking pix when the CTA was running their Flxibles & Rts's still! But every time I'm in Chicago, I take bus photos! It's interesting doing this downtown seeing all of the various motorcoaches & transit buses owned by private operators, such as the Free Enterprise Nabis.

[cta5658]

Maybe This Can Help You Out

http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

And how do i run circles around ignorant CTA Employees who think it's against the rules to take pictures from the platform? what do they want us to do, take pictures of the trains from the street? or take pics of red line ttrains from state street between 95th and 69th?

[Guest]

Maybe This Can Help You Out

http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

And how do i run circles around ignorant CTA Employees who think it's against the rules to take pictures from the platform? what do they want us to do, take pictures of the trains from the street? or take pics of red line ttrains from state street between 95th and 69th?

Because of the increased security risks, its almost becoming impossible to even walk around with a video camera in hand anywhere! In a way I can understand why, I think most of us can anyway! The best solution is to not take pics or videos on transit property and try to film or shoot pics when no transit employee is visible. They can call for police but you dont want it to become a police matter because they will treat you as a suspicious person and humiliate you or tell you just to leave the area, whether youre breaking the law or not!. Regardless of your reasons why, we all have to realize that its not easy nowadays to take pics or film what we like, even if it isnt against the law!. So you just have to do your best to take what you can but do it in a manner so as not to draw attention to yourself. It is stupid to have to explain to a police officer that you like buses or trains or whatever! They dont care what youre reason is, they just want to solve the conflict and move on to take care of a real emergency. Basically it boils down to the transit agency and their views about filming and photography of their property. I still like filming and shooting pics of transit systems but Ive tried to be more discreet about it so as to minimize the chances of having someone call the cops on me. I take film and pics away from the property or out in the field somewhere where it wont draw attention to myself. Granted I dont get the close up shot I would like to have but at least I still get something. For example I would love to take more close up pics and video of Rockford Transit buses but there are so many variables involved that I just try to get what I can because I for one dont want any problems or jeopardize my safety just for a bus picture or video. Rockford is a very desolate town, some very shady people that hang around the main downtown bus terminal. I dont bring my camera out when Im around there, I only do it from the safety of my personal car or I will catch a shot of a bus when it pulls into one of the shopping malls in Rockford. Just remember, its their transit system, they call the shots! To get police involved, it just becomes a humiliating and embarrassing situation. Many dont understand our hobby. Many dont understand what we do and why we do it! Best advice, Just be careful!! Stay safe!!

[cta5658]

Because of the increased security risks, its almost becoming impossible to even walk around with a video camera in hand anywhere! In a way I can understand why, I think most of us can anyway! The best solution is to not take pics or videos on transit property and try to film or shoot pics when no transit employee is visible. They can call for police but you dont want it to become a police matter because they will treat you like a suspicious person and humiliate you or tell you just to leave the area, whether youre breaking the law or not!. Regardless of your reasons why, we all have to realize that its not easy nowadays to take pics or film what we like, even if it isnt against the law!. So you just have to do your best to take what you can but do it in a manner so as not to draw attention to yourself. It is stupid to have to explain to a police officer that you like buses or trains or whatever! They dont care what youre reason is, they just want to solve the conflict and move on to take care of a real emergency. Basically it boils down to the transit agency and their views about filming and photography of their property. I still like filming and shooting pics of transit systems but Ive tried to be more discreet about it so as to minimize the chances of having someone call the cops on me. I take film and pics away from the property or out in the field somewhere where it wont draw attention to myself. Granted I dont get the close up shot I would like to have but at least I still get something. For example I would love to take more close up pics and video of Rockford Transit buses but there are so many variables involved that I just try to get what I can because I for one dont want any problems or jeopardize my safety just for a bus picture or video. Rockford is a very desolate town, some very shady people that hang around the main downtown bus terminal. I dont bring my camera out when Im around there, I only do it from the safety of my personal car or I will catch a shot of a bus when it pulls into one of the shopping malls in Rockford. Just remember, its their transit system, they call the shots! To get police involved, it just becomes a humiliating and embarrassing situation. Many dont understand our hobby. Many dont understand what we do and why we do it! Best advice, Just be careful!! Stay safe!!

Ok, i'll just take pictures of CTA trains from the Street where nobody can say a word

[Nabi60SFW9620]

Even with photographing and filming transit vehicles illegal I still tend to do it and never even been seen by transit officials. Baltimore MTA prohibits photography of transit equipment and I shot a pic of one of the 2010 New Flyer DE40LFRs as I was driving behind it. And I photograph almost anything I find to be interesting.

[Nabinut]

Even with photographing and filming transit vehicles illegal I still tend to do it and never even been seen by transit officials. Baltimore MTA prohibits photography of transit equipment and I shot a pic of one of the 2010 New Flyer DE40LFRs as I was driving behind it. And I photograph almost anything I find to be interesting.

Of course you don't know what you're talking about. With the exception of two systems (PATH in New Jersey & SARTA in ohio), no transit system in America bans photography. The issue only comes up when you're on their property and they can legally ask you to leave but if you photograph in public and out on the street, no one can say nothing.

[Guest]

Of course you don't know what you're talking about. With the exception of two systems (PATH in New Jersey & SARTA in ohio), no transit system in America bans photography. The issue only comes up when you're on their property and they can legally ask you to leave but if you photograph in public and out on the street, no one can say nothing.

I have to disagree on your statement Nabinut. About two years ago some friends and myself were challenged in Rockford, Ill for picture/video taking. We were not on the transit property but across the street filming the buses leaving the terminal. As we're filming a loud speaker sounds off "Security, can you find out what those people are doing taking pictures?" We were challenged by a female security guard, she told us we had to leave. All this across from the bus garage, not on transit property.

[cta5658]

I have to disagree on your statement Nabinut. About two years ago some friends and myself were challenged in Rockford, Ill for picture/video taking. We were not on the transit property but across the street filming the buses leaving the terminal. As we're filming a loud speaker sounds off "Security, can you find out what those people are doing taking pictures?" We were challenged by a female security guard, she told us we had to leave. All this across from the bus garage, not on transit property.

I've been challenged three times at the 103rd Garage Terminal, and if i got challenged again at 103rd garage terminal, what alternatives would the guard suggest for me?

[MVTArider]

With the exception of two systems (PATH in New Jersey & SARTA in ohio), no transit system in America bans photography. ...

One other one to add to the list, The JO! (Johnson County, KS) doesn't permit photography, recording or filming aboard their buses without prior authorization. This appears to only apply to the interior of their vehicles however. When I was in KCMO I didn't have any problems when photographing some of their units, aside from poor light and just missing some a half block away :

[MRCTA]

It's not illegal as long as you stand on public way. If you go into their private property, then it is. CTA just overreacts to people photographing/video taping. I don't know why they do, but they just do.

Maybe for the safety of the passengers!

[Nabinut]

I have to disagree on your statement Nabinut. About two years ago some friends and myself were challenged in Rockford, Ill for picture/video taking. We were not on the transit property but across the street filming the buses leaving the terminal. As we're filming a loud speaker sounds off "Security, can you find out what those people are doing taking pictures?" We were challenged by a female security guard, she told us we had to leave. All this across from the bus garage, not on transit property.

Sorry that happened to you. However, the security guard was wrong to ask you to leave. I understand if you didn't want to take it further i.e having city police involved but you were on public property, not trepassing so you had a right to be there.

[JamesT4]

I have to disagree on your statement Nabinut. About two years ago some friends and myself were challenged in Rockford, Ill for picture/video taking. We were not on the transit property but across the street filming the buses leaving the terminal. As we're filming a loud speaker sounds off "Security, can you find out what those people are doing taking pictures?" We were challenged by a female security guard, she told us we had to leave. All this across from the bus garage, not on transit property.

I was up there at the bus terminal in Rockford this past July, and I was lucky that I was not bothered.

What I had notice thou when I was there there were no loitering sings around the bus terminal, but on the sidewalk there was none, so I am guessing you was across the street where the buses exit at, that is public property, and that female security guard should had not bothered you, neither told you to leave, and I am planning to go up there next month or two to get more photos of the Rockford Bus System, as I head up to Madison.

[cta5658]

If Bert Krages' Photographers' Rights Was a Law, those guards would leave us alone

[Guest]

Sorry that happened to you. However, the security guard was wrong to ask you to leave. I understand if you didn't want to take it further i.e having city police involved but you were on public property, not trespassing so you had a right to be there.

It would be nothing short of ridiculous to get the police involved in this. But it would be swift because the police station is directly across the street from the RMTD bus garage.

[Guest]

I was up there at the bus terminal in Rockford this past July, and I was lucky that I was not bothered.

What I had notice thou when I was there there were no loitering sings around the bus terminal, but on the sidewalk there was none, so I am guessing you was across the street where the buses exit at, that is public property, and that female security guard should had not bothered you, neither told you to leave, and I am planning to go up there next month or two to get more photos of the Rockford Bus System, as I head up to Madison.

Well just be careful, lots of shady characters around that terminal as well. Hopefully you wont have any trouble with security.

[JamesT4]

Well just be careful, lots of shady characters around that terminal as well. Hopefully you wont have any trouble with security.

Thanks for the heads up, I kind of noticed that when I was up there, but I really don't know how it going to be when I go up there, from the last time I been.

Also I have several copies of that Krages' Photographers' Rights on me, in my camera bag, and in my car, in case someone wants to challenge me.

[TMC-RTS-08]

I was up in Rockford last Summer. I parked my car along the street and took pictures of the RMTD buses as they entered and left the terminal. After 25 minutes I was harassed by a police officer that came out from the nearby police station. The whole time I was there he was watching me from the window. I showed him my photo album full of bus pictures from around the world and explained him I am a transit enthusiast. He then told me taking pictures of RMTD buses is NOT allowed, but I told him otherwise. After I was done taking pictures he then followed me back to my Toyota. Then he told me I shouldn't be driving a foreign car around in Rockford. I was like you have a problem with me taking pics of buses and now you have a problem with me because I drive a Toyota Prius? Wow? On top of that he decided to write me a ticket as I was leaving the one hour parking zone, yet I was only there for 35-40 minutes. What a pr*** that cop. I will avoid Rockford in the future. :angry:

[Buslover88]

Maybe for the safety of the passengers!

I can see it if you're blocking people or a bus lane or whatever, but if you're doing it on public property and are not a danger to others or yourself, CTA should have NOTHING to say to you about it. It's not against the law.