Kevin Posted December 5, 2005 Report Share Posted December 5, 2005 It looks like the CTA is continuing to expand the Go Lane pilot program. Go Lane buses relocate the Chicago Card sensor opposite the driver, which theoretically further speeds up boarding by allowing two people to pay their fares at the same time. Archer Garage bus #6617 was spotted with a Go Lane earlier today. This appears to be one of the first buses from Archer Garage to get a Go Lane. Does anyone here have experience with using a Go Lane? Do you find them helpful in speeding up boarding or are they just cool because you can pass everyone else up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanbytes Posted December 5, 2005 Report Share Posted December 5, 2005 What happens if there's a problem with a smart card on a Go Lane bus? Is there some type of display at the transceiver that actually gives information or do you have to still look at the driver for confirmation that all is well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted December 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2005 I've wondered the same thing. There's no display by the sensor, so you really don't have much of a way of knowing if the card read okay. I'm wondering if it's been a common problem where people unknowingly board for free because their card didn't read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetroShadow Posted December 6, 2005 Report Share Posted December 6, 2005 I figured, when I was on the 147 right after my 20th birthday, that it works for the most part...it was on the weekends, so no telling how it can effectively work during the rush hour period. But a bus coming from Archer does look like the program is going in the right direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetroShadow Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 Apparently now Forest Glen has the go lane on their routes, as plenty of 6700's found at the Jeff showed it. I traveled the 56 bus (which had it), and the 85A (which also had it). So it is a conclusion to make that the program is a success and that its now a systemwide thing, or do we wait until all the garages have the program? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIPTA42 Posted December 13, 2005 Report Share Posted December 13, 2005 I've wondered the same thing. There's no display by the sensor, so you really don't have much of a way of knowing if the card read okay. I'm wondering if it's been a common problem where people unknowingly board for free because their card didn't read. There's a fairly loud beep when the sensor recognizes the card, so I'm guessing there's a different tone to alert the driver when a fare isn't collected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted December 14, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 Apparently now Forest Glen has the go lane on their routes, as plenty of 6700's found at the Jeff showed it. I traveled the 56 bus (which had it), and the 85A (which also had it). So it is a conclusion to make that the program is a success and that its now a systemwide thing, or do we wait until all the garages have the program? It's possible. As of yesterday, I'd say about 40% of the Novas out of Archer had Go Lanes, with more likely to be installed soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanbytes Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 There's a fairly loud beep when the sensor recognizes the card, so I'm guessing there's a different tone to alert the driver when a fare isn't collected. Ahh but then what? If the Go Lane performs as it should how would the driver know which person didn't pay the fare? I would assume at least a couple smart card users would blow by before the driver can take their eyes off the people that are putting their money and magstripe cards in the farebox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 I've seen Go Lane buses on #80 Irving Park. To name a few, 6813, 6834, and I believe 6810. Are the Flxibles(6000) and New Flyers(5800) going to get these as well? I doubt the TMC's will get these as they are too old now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetroShadow Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 I think the move is to use them on the low floor buses, so that means the 1000's, 6400's, and the 7500's only. Not quite sure if it applies to the 5800's, and there wouldn't be enough space on any of the high-floor buses either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanbytes Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 An answer from thy CTA about knowing or not knowing if the card was read. There should be bulbs on that pad that light up when the card is successfully used. Give it a try; you'll know when it has successfully read your card. --CTA Customer Service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIPTA42 Posted December 14, 2005 Report Share Posted December 14, 2005 Three out of three Forest Glen Novas I've ridden this week had Go Lanes. Only one person can use the transponder at one time; I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult for the driver to figure out who didn't pay a fare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIPTA42 Posted December 16, 2005 Report Share Posted December 16, 2005 Three out of three Forest Glen Novas... OK, make that four out of five. The one that didn't have a Go Lane! also had a broken bell cord and non-functioning rear doors; I suspect the transponder will be installed when it goes in for maintenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted December 23, 2005 Report Share Posted December 23, 2005 Looks like most of the articulateds have it. I saw Go Lane signs on 14 Jeffrey Express and 134 LaSalle Express buses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted December 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2005 Every Nova out of Archer now either has a Go Lane or will soon have one (the mountings for the sensor are at least installed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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