CTA Service Adjustments

[mkohut]

I don't remember when at one point.They were going to combine 55N and 55A.But,they change there mind.

[See Tea Eh]

This whole mess shows how few people in Chicago actually know how anything in transit should be done.

The board are a bunch of incompetents (which we basically already knew), and their statements in that article make it plainly obvious.

Some gems:

“I wish I had some experience."

Don't we all.

“I never understood why you would cut a line in half, or at least cut out the middle chunk of it,’’ Grimshaw said.

And it never occurred to you, as a board member, at any point in the last three months, to...I don't know...maybe *ask* the company of which you are a director to explain it to you?

Then you have the nincompoop alderman who decides to wait until a couple days before the service change to stage his march on Lake Street. If he really cared, or knew what he was doing, he'd have done this 3-4 months ago, whenever that public meeting was held that went over these changes.

Maybe he thought he could pull the same thing the folks out by Midway did when they managed to keep their two useless bus routes rather than having them merged into one (and that didn't even really result in a loss of coverage, except for a couple of blocks on Austin and Narragansett which were within walking distance of the resulting reroute anyway).

As for Claypool vs the Union guy and the ability to run the route with extras, it would be incredibly expensive to do so, because you'd either have to have the existing runs all relieve at Western (so they can keep their same schedule), or you'd have to throw extras on Lincoln on top of the already planned service. What's already scheduled and picked can't be changed, mainly because the start/finish/relief times would change, which could make the runs invalid. If those runs have pieces on other routes (such as an operator whose first half might be on the 11, then he heads over to Berwyn to pick up a 146 for his second half), and many of them do, then the changes can easily cascade to invalidate the entire North Park Garage run pick.

The 55A/55N/55W scenario wasn't quite as bad because it involved service that had similar cycle times, so buses could wind up back at Midway Airport on the same schedule as they otherwise would have, keeping everything intact. Still, that cost CTA quite a bit of money to fix because it still required extras (as opposed to the half million dollars it would have saved).

Here, the 11 would have to really be chopped up (as I mentioned, involving operators making reliefs at Western on pretty much every trip) in order to maintain that service.

But a CTA board that knew anything about the business they're supposed to oversee would understand that, and would have either had this "emergency" meeting two months ago, or wouldn't be running around crying "I'd love to help, but I just don't know HOW!"

[Busjack]

I don't remember when at one point.They were going to combine 55N and 55A.But,they change there mind.

That was discussed before. Searching, it appears that the CTA Board actually authorized the change, but the statement made by some members of this forum is that the alderman scuttled it.

[Busjack]

Then you have the nincompoop alderman who decides to wait until a couple days before the service change to stage his march on Lake Street. If he really cared, or knew what he was doing, he'd have done this 3-4 months ago, whenever that public meeting was held that went over these changes.

I agree with the parts I didn't quote, except I am not in a position to comment on the picks.

However, your statement I quoted is unfair. It is clear that Pawar has been pushing this ever since the cuts were announced at the end of August, and the people from Lincoln Ave. packed the Sept. 4 meeting. You can look at various posts in this topic, including by sw on contacting Pawar.

My only conclusion was that Pawar didn't have the clout to get anything. Maybe he got an expression of guilt from a couple members of the Board, one of which didn't bother to attend the last time, but so far all he has accomplished is to prove that the Board is a bunch of lackey fools, instead of doing their job to supervise management.

[jajuan]

Well isn't that rich. We find out the morons on this board pushed this stupid plan through and one of them didn't even attend the meeting that brought this foolishness about.

[Busjack]

Well isn't that rich. We find out the morons on this board pushed this stupid plan through and one of them didn't even attend the meeting that brought this foolishness about.

In that the news reports were that 6 were at the hearing, and that it passed 6-0, the newspapers disclosed that, although until now, not which one.

And apparently one who did attend is now praying for divine guidance.

[sw4400]

My only conclusion was that Pawar didn't have the clout to get anything.

I don't pretend to understand politics, it's totally foriegn to me. But IMO, you could be as powerful at former Ald. Schulter, or current Ald. Mell. But with a new Sheriff in town(Emanuel), he runs the show, as his quote about if people don't like the fare increases to drive. If Daley(or Da Mare as you quoted him so frequently) was still in office, he probably would've fought for some or all of these cut routes, the #11 being a big fight right there.

One earlier point that was brought up was the #56 Milwaukee. Why keep it intact? The Blue Line does shadow it to an extent around Logan Square on south, hence the downtown Subway aptly named the Milwaukee/Dearborn Subway. The #29 State could be clipped or elimintated totally, as the downtown Subway aptly named the State St. Subway could replace it.

[jajuan]

In that the news reports were that 6 were at the hearing, and that it passed 6-0, the newspapers disclosed that, although until now, not which one.

And apparently one who did attend is now praying for divine guidance.

This is the part that's irritating beyond their obvious incompetence. You sit back and basically rubber stamp a controversial plan no questions asked and now you want to have second thoughts when it's now too late to reverse it without screwing up a whole garages pick since the work is now all accounted for with operators in place for the changes. Not to mention one saying he didn't understand splitting a route in two or chopping out the middle yet he sat back and voted for it anyway instead of asking about the whatever it was he didn't understand. Who does that other than a blithering idiot?

[jajuan]

I don't pretend to understand politics, it's totally foriegn to me. But IMO, you could be as powerful at former Ald. Schulter, or current Ald. Mell. But with a new Sheriff in town(Emanuel), he runs the show, as his quote about if people don't like the fare increases to drive. If Daley(or Da Mare as you quoted him so frequently) was still in office, he probably would've fought for some or all of these cut routes, the #11 being a big fight right there.

One earlier point that was brought up was the #56 Milwaukee. Why keep it intact? The Blue Line does shadow it to an extent around Logan Square on south, hence the downtown Subway aptly named the Milwaukee/Dearborn Subway. The #29 State could be clipped or elimintated totally, as the downtown Subway aptly named the State St. Subway could replace it.

And what would the displaced riders on those two routes who use stops in between those on the rail lines those routes operate near supposed to do? Both rail lines have stops that are up to a mile apart. Now you're sitting back saying that they should do to those riders what is being done to you with the 11. And remember how much of a stink you're now in about that.

[sw4400]

And what would the displaced riders on those two routes who use stops in between those on the rail lines those routes operate near supposed to do? Both rail lines have stops that are up to a mile apart. Now you're sitting back saying that they should do to those riders what is being done to you with the 11. And remember how much of a stink you're now in about that.

CTA didn't think this one through, jajuan. If they're using the "Brown Line is nearby" quote, they're full of crap. From where I work, the Montrose and Irving Park stations are six blocks away. Who's going to walk with hundreds of dollars of product six blocks away and climb two sets of stairs to catch a train and descend two sets of stairs and walk to wherever their home is from that nearby Brown Line stop? Don't tell me you would!!! You would most likely find a new store with curbside bus service, like we have for two more days.

We can use the same practice on the Blue and Red Line shadowing bus routes like #56 Milwaukee and #29 State. Those buses that are taken off these routes can also go to the overcrowded routes, correct? The CTA board really screwed up this plan, and since it won't affect you, you don't know the rammifications of this cut of the #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick from Fullerton to Western.

[mkohut]

As a person who had to deal with Ald. Schulter.Him and his staff were arrogant.

They wanted 50 dollars of free food .Plus,they wanted it deliver.

[Busjack]

Who does that other than a blithering idiot?

That gets back to a point I have consistently made. The MTA Act says "Members of the Board shall be residents of the metropolitan area and persons of recognized business ability." Instead, Grimshaw is a Quinn appointee, put there, like all Quinn appointees, because she was the head of some transit advocacy group. Apparently not for the north side, though.

[jajuan]

CTA didn't think this one through, jajuan. If they're using the "Brown Line is nearby" quote, they're full of crap. From where I work, the Montrose and Irving Park stations are six blocks away. Who's going to walk with hundreds of dollars of product six blocks away and climb two sets of stairs to catch a train and descend two sets of stairs and walk to wherever their home is from that nearby Brown Line stop? Don't tell me you would!!! You would most likely find a new store with curbside bus service, like we have for two more days.

We can use the same practice on the Blue and Red Line shadowing bus routes like #56 Milwaukee and #29 State. Those buses that are taken off these routes can also go to the overcrowded routes, correct? The CTA board really screwed up this plan, and since it won't affect you, you don't know the rammifications of this cut of the #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick from Fullerton to Western.

I agreed with you months ago that they didn't think it through. But do you thinking going the hypocrite's route is going to solve it? And actually that particular cut does affect me since I do live a block and a half up from Lincoln and do use the route after my ride on the 9 Ashland. I sure as heck won't use a Brown Line train which would still be crowded though. Instead I'll just stay on the 9 switch to a 22 and use the east west route that's a block north of me.

[Busjack]

If Daley(or Da Mare as you quoted him so frequently) was still in office, he probably would've fought for some or all of these cut routes, the #11 being a big fight right there.

I don't know about that. Kruesi was there to do Daley's bidding. And, pretty much, Daley started the tradition of da Mare selecting the CTA President, instead of the board doing its statutory duty to hire an Executive Director.

Remember that the only thing Kruesi could do competently is demolish Meigs Field. That didn't have anything to do with CTA.

The only thing new is that Emanuel, although from the north side, would diss people on the north side.

[Busjack]

CTA didn't think this one through, jajuan. If they're using the "Brown Line is nearby" quote, they're full of crap. ...

I agree with that. However, they used the cover the Nortwestern transportation group, and various things said there are consistent with transit planning. Pace cutting back 210 at least acknowledged the usual theories that alternatives to service on diagonal streets included cross streets (note all the cross streets mentioned in the CTA announcements), the 6 way traffic lights make it hard to make time, etc.

However, Pace at least listens. The incompetents on the CTA Board should have figured out Sept. 4 that they were going to get blowback on Lincoln.

The only question I have is: who printed the yellow shirts, so that Pawar got favorable exposure on the TV news?

[sw4400]

But do you thinking going the hypocrite's route is going to solve it?

No, p&m'ing about it won't change anything, but almost 40-50% of our customers are seniors or disabled who get dropped off and picked up via the #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick bus. And that 40-50% will most likely find stores that have curbside service than struggle with hundreds of dollars of product to a Brown Line station six blocks away just to go home.

[jajuan]

I don't know about that. Kruesi was there to do Daley's bidding. And, pretty much, Daley started the tradition of da Mare selecting the CTA President, instead of the board doing its statutory duty to hire an Executive Director.

Remember that the only thing Kruesi could do competently is demolish Meigs Field. That didn't have anything to do with CTA.

The only thing new is that Emanuel, although from the north side, would diss people on the north side.

He'd diss anybody if it suited his political purposes. He learned at least in one instance you have to be careful with how far you push the tough guy bit because the local media won't always be as kind with their headlines as you like seeing that they did back him a bit into a position of explaining himself on the 'they can drive' comment.

[jajuan]

No, p&m'ing about it won't change anything, but almost 40-50% of our customers are seniors or disabled who get dropped off and picked up via the #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick bus. And that 40-50% will most likely find stores that have curbside service than struggle with hundreds of dollars of product to a Brown Line station six blocks away just to go home.

Understood but apparently the only bottom line they're concerned with preserving right now is their own. But hearing the details of that SunTimes article only makes one question further their competence at even doing that with any credible success.

[Busjack]

No, p&m'ing about it won't change anything, but almost 40-50% of our customers are seniors or disabled who get dropped off and picked up via the #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick bus. And that 40-50% will most likely find stores that have curbside service than struggle with hundreds of dollars of product to a Brown Line station six blocks away just to go home.

Probably OT, but Jewel has other problems. Grocery stores have instituted senior shuttles (such as Dominick's, when it moved from Kedzie and Pratt to McCormick Blvd., apparently not remembering that there wasn't a bridge over the North Shore Channel). Also, Pawar was just at a groundbreaking for a Mariano's at Lawrence and Ravenswood, so I guess he isn't Jewel's alderman.

[Busjack]

He'd diss anybody if it suited his political purposes. He learned at least in one instance you have to be careful with how far you push the tough guy bit because the local media won't always be as kind with their headlines as you like seeing that they did back him a bit into a position of explaining himself on the 'they can drive' comment.

I think the only restraint on Emanuel is if the opposing group has legal protection, i.e. the teachers having the legal right to strike. However, whether the employees of a contractor at O'Hare, or CTA riders, too bad. Embarrassment is not a sufficient deterrent.

[mkohut]

I think the only restraint on Emanuel is if the opposing group has legal protection, i.e. the teachers having the legal right to strike. However, whether the employees of a contractor at O'Hare, or CTA riders, too bad. Embarrassment is not a sufficient deterrent.

How True.He will end up looking like a fool if CPS can't come up with the money needed that was promise to the teachers.

[Busjack]

How True.He will end up looking like a fool if CPS can't come up with the money needed that was promise to the teachers.

That wasn't my point. As you previously recognized, he'll look like a fool if he has to come back for a CTA fare increase next year.

My point was that he couldn't just tell Karen Lewis to "shove it," like, in effect, he told the others listed (in the CTA's case, through Claypool and Peterson). According to Lewis, he tried, but didn't succeed.

[sw4400]

Also, Pawar was just at a groundbreaking for a Mariano's at Lawrence and Ravenswood, so I guess he isn't Jewel's alderman.

Well, OT very briefly. Ald. Pawar has to be equal to all... Jewel, Dominick's, Mariano's, Wal-Mart... whatever is in his ward. I don't know his shopping preference, but I can tell you I personally checked him out at my store in late October/early November. Does that make him a Jewel customer? No, but at least he shops Jewel on occasion as does ex-Gov. Froot Loops and his wife.

[mkohut]

That wasn't my point. As you previously recognized, he'll look like a fool if he has to come back for a CTA fare increase next year.

My point was that he couldn't just tell Karen Lewis to "shove it," like, in effect, he told the others listed (in the CTA's case, through Claypool and Peterson). According to Lewis, he tried, but didn't succeed.

Its nice to know Emanuel is having company over for dinner.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8919026

[jajuan]

I think the only restraint on Emanuel is if the opposing group has legal protection, i.e. the teachers having the legal right to strike. However, whether the employees of a contractor at O'Hare, or CTA riders, too bad. Embarrassment is not a sufficient deterrent.

No it's not and he didn't walk those words back some out of embarrassment. He did it out of political expediency to some degree. Maybe he remembered CTA riders come in different stripes and do still vote as evidenced by his displays at shaking hands at the L station.