The Grievances of the 22 Clark Bus

[Sam92]

27 minutes ago, Busjack said:

Bike Lane: "Hey bus, your wrap is really sexy. I really love the one with Howard Ankin"☺️

It really brings out the roof fins 😅 🤣

[Sam92]

On 3/24/2026 at 5:02 PM, strictures said:

 

Plus, with the L so erratic at times, the time including transfers from buses to the L, means the trip takes the same amount of time.  No matter what happens on the bus, it can't get stuck behind another stalled bus, it can just go around it, the L trains can't!  It takes about an hour to go all the way from Devon to The Loop, that's also how much time it takes to take a Broadway to Granville, walk to the Granville station & then ride the L to the Loop, plus Clark also is just more convenient than State St.

 

That's the beauty of trying to solve this issue in a sensible way instead of wasting money throwing more buses at it; if we fix that issue and free up run times then that can go into more frequent service on other routes and make the resulting transfer as painless as possible. #145 for example, no express bus service but the red line was beefed up along with new purple line express service from wilson. 

9 hours ago, strictures said:

Once again, I will repeat, that when the CTA added buses to Clark during the Belmont station rebuild, the buses ran great, no huge delays, ever!  That's all it needs, more buses, not bizarre reroutes some have proposed, just add another ten runs!

So by that logic instead of creating 143, 144, 148 and 134 the underlying routes they support just needed more buses and more runs 🤔

[strictures]

3 hours ago, Sam92 said:

That was in 08. 

With in the 18 years between then and now you still ignore the fact that buses were added along with longer articulated ones at that so obviously just adding buses isn't working . Heck the peak runs start exactly in the spots we say they should (Belmont) and still problems 

Except that adding buses does work.  The traffic is the same, it's the general fact that there are always missing runs on Clark, which really screws it up.  Yesterday at noon, there were no NB Clarks between Belmont & Granville.  So at least one run was missing, plus I looked, no bunching behind the one at Belmont!

You just don't want to admit that Clark needs more runs!

[Busjack]

1 hour ago, strictures said:

Except that adding buses does work.  The traffic is the same, it's the general fact that there are always missing runs on Clark, which really screws it up.  Yesterday at noon, there were no NB Clarks between Belmont & Granville.  So at least one run was missing, plus I looked, no bunching behind the one at Belmont!

You just don't want to admit that Clark needs more runs!

You didn't prove there was a "missed run. : To establish that, you would need a BusTracker showing a line through the predicted arrival time. You didn't provide that. You don't know if or why the bus at Belmont was delayed.

What you describd sounds like bus bunching, and what others discussed seem like better solutions than just putting on more buses to clog up a street that you previously claimed was constricted by bike lanes and the like.

Even if there were a "missed run," you don't know what caused it, and whether there are enough buses or  operators to cover it.

In short more fuming without any real evidence and a phantom non-solution.

 

[Sam92]

19 hours ago, strictures said:

 

You just don't want to admit that Clark needs more runs!

No, you're in denial that they have added runs, increased frequency and it still hasn't worked. So if CTA determines that the 22 needs to be altered like 11 what are you gonna do then? Making false claims isn't gonna make CTA change it's mind 🤷🙄 you're gonna have to find a new route anyway so might as well get creative instead of constantly exaggerating on here

[Busjack]

7 hours ago, Sam92 said:

No, you're in denial that they have added runs, increased frequency and it still hasn't worked. So if CTA determines that the 22 needs to be altered like 11 what are you gonna do then? Making false claims isn't gonna make CTA change it's mind 🤷🙄 you're gonna have to find a new route anyway so might as well get creative instead of constantly lying on here

I'll take a little more philosophical approach to this. When I first got to Chicago, just about all CTA bus lines ran every 3-10 minutes, except maybe something in Norwood Park, and all L lines ran Owl service. Even when I got back some 30 years ago, that was still somewhat the case, and there was no need for printed timetables, except for something like 97. CTA was not like the RTA's suburban operators, and moreso Pace, where timetables were necessary. Now there's the big deal that some routes are on the Frequent Network at 10 minutes. 

Looking at the current Clark timetable, making estimates based on Diversey to Devon being 23 minutes, nothing between Belmont and Granville is conceivable without having lost a trip. But given the lackof evidence that a scheduled trip was in fact missed, I would assume the kind of causes you suggest, such as bus bunching, bike lanes, or bus bunching, or even a bus with a broken tracker.

[Sam92]

11 minutes ago, Busjack said:

I'll take a little more philosophical approach to this. When I first got to Chicago, just about all CTA bus lines ran every 3-10 minutes, except maybe something in Norwood Park, and all L lines ran Owl service. Even when I got back some 30 years ago, that was still somewhat the case, and there was no need for printed timetables, except for something like 97. CTA was not like the RTA's suburban operators, and moreso Pace, where timetables were necessary. Now there's the big deal that some routes are on the Frequent Network at 10 minutes. 

 

Heck even the service before the cuts under Rodriguez was more tolerable. They really screwed over anyone not going in the peak direction until post COVID recovery force them to change their mindset. Of course Clark being a high ridership route is why it was spared the same treatment as Lincoln. Back to my earlier point of redistributing hours that's a 46 minute round trip so 4-5 buses saved. Even if the buses themselves aren't used the hours could be used to make 155, 84 and other parallel routes in the area more reliable to make up for the transfers. Outside of that Northside is unfortunately between a rock and a hard place with traffic and 3 more phases of RPM to wait for. 

[Tcmetro]

I think the biggest way to improve Clark would be:

1. Reduce the stops to every 2 blocks, in line with other major cities and routes like Western and Ashland.

2. Add bus bulbs so that the buses can stop in lane.

3. Purchase 3-door articulated buses for separate entry/exit in the front of the bus.

4. Add bus lanes on Clark and Dearborn south of Oak St. Add a bus lane on Clark from North to Armitage. There's room for more bus lanes on Clark along the cemeteries and at the Ashland merge also.

5. Reroute the 36 in the downtown area to follow the 22 routing. The 36 could also be extended to Howard via Clark for additional frequency north of Devon.

[Sam92]

2 hours ago, Tcmetro said:

I think the biggest way to improve Clark would be:

1. Reduce the stops to every 2 blocks, in line with other major cities and routes like Western and Ashland.

2. Add bus bulbs so that the buses can stop in lane.

3. Purchase 3-door articulated buses for separate entry/exit in the front of the bus.

4. Add bus lanes on Clark and Dearborn south of Oak St. Add a bus lane on Clark from North to Armitage. There's room for more bus lanes on Clark along the cemeteries and at the Ashland merge also.

5. Reroute the 36 in the downtown area to follow the 22 routing. The 36 could also be extended to Howard via Clark for additional frequency north of Devon.

I think we discussed 3 door artics in another topic; you're spot on as far as using 3 door artics on local routes (Seattle follows similar artic assignments) but CTA would probably want to find more than just 66 and 79 to justify ordering a new bus type (inventory simplicity). I guess they said no to that when they renigged on the 50-150 artics a decade back. 

I don't think extending 36 north would be necessary (remember the most problematic portion is the middle of the route so if this ends up like Lincoln the portion of #22 to Howard would remain). 

Bus bulbs you might be better on a wider street. 

Reducing stops isn't always an option. As I said somewhere else if there's a lot of boardings along a certain strip then the dwell times will negate whatever savings plus crowded stops mean fall risks and other dangers. 

With 3 lanes on each I'm all for bus lanes on Clark and Dearborn but they need to be enforced 

[Busjack]

5 hours ago, Tcmetro said:

I think the biggest way to improve Clark would be:

1. Reduce the stops to every 2 blocks, in line with other major cities and routes like Western and Ashland.

2. Add bus bulbs so that the buses can stop in lane.

3. Purchase 3-door articulated buses for separate entry/exit in the front of the bus.

4. Add bus lanes on Clark and Dearborn south of Oak St. Add a bus lane on Clark from North to Armitage. There's room for more bus lanes on Clark along the cemeteries and at the Ashland merge also.

5. Reroute the 36 in the downtown area to follow the 22 routing. The 36 could also be extended to Howard via Clark for additional frequency north of Devon.

3 door buses aren't going to happen, ans are inconsistent with bus bulbs, as two sets of doors would be out in traffic. I suppose one could have a 66 foot one, but then the city would have to pay the parking meter concessionaire for maybe 4 spaces per bulb, plus deal with the bike lane and the bus blocking traffic every 2 blocks. This isn't th Loop Link on Washington.

If the problem is not enough NB buses on 22 and a surplus on 36, they could just interline the buses t Polk. But I don't think that's the problem. The "grievance" seem south of Devon, so if you are suggesting the old Evanston Ave. (Broadway) car continue north from Devon to Howard on Clark, I don't thinkthat accomplishes much.

[Sam92]

19 hours ago, Tcmetro said:

I think the biggest way to improve Clark would be:

1. Reduce the stops to every 2 blocks, in line with other major cities and routes like Western and Ashland.

2. Add bus bulbs so that the buses can stop in lane.

3. Purchase 3-door articulated buses for separate entry/exit in the front of the bus.

4. Add bus lanes on Clark and Dearborn south of Oak St. Add a bus lane on Clark from North to Armitage. There's room for more bus lanes on Clark along the cemeteries and at the Ashland merge also.

5. Reroute the 36 in the downtown area to follow the 22 routing. The 36 could also be extended to Howard via Clark for additional frequency north of Devon.

Honorable mention:

Terminate 22 at Damen/Ravenswood or Sheridan Red Line like the X9 to get them onto a faster mode of transit via the Brown Line or Metra. South of there Ashland stays close to Clark, then once you get to Addison between there and Diversey we have 8 and  the Red/Brown Lines. Lincoln wasn't as close to it's alternatives like #22 is in this case so abandoning that segment stands out as the best choice. The hours saved can maybe be used to additional recovery/run time on other routes like 155, etc that suffer reliability issues and hopefully improve them

[MetroShadow]

23 hours ago, Tcmetro said:

I think the biggest way to improve Clark would be:

1. Reduce the stops to every 2 blocks, in line with other major cities and routes like Western and Ashland.

2. Add bus bulbs so that the buses can stop in lane.

3. Purchase 3-door articulated buses for separate entry/exit in the front of the bus.

4. Add bus lanes on Clark and Dearborn south of Oak St. Add a bus lane on Clark from North to Armitage. There's room for more bus lanes on Clark along the cemeteries and at the Ashland merge also.

5. Reroute the 36 in the downtown area to follow the 22 routing. The 36 could also be extended to Howard via Clark for additional frequency north of Devon.

3 hours ago, Sam92 said:

Honorable mention:

Terminate 22 at Damen/Ravenswood or Sheridan Red Line like the X9 to get them onto a faster mode of transit via the Brown Line or Metra. South of there Ashland stays close to Clark, then once you get to Addison between there and Diversey we have 8 and  the Red/Brown Lines. Lincoln wasn't as close to it's alternatives like #22 is in this case so abandoning that segment stands out as the best choice. The hours saved can maybe be used to additional recovery/run time on other routes like 155, etc that suffer reliability issues and hopefully improve them

1. Makes the most sense, since that tends to eliminate dwell time.

2. That works in practice, and they should've been installed with the Bike Lanes that exist now. That said, Jack is right - that might be an inconsistency along the route.

3. Perhaps the next artic order moves to 3-door buses. I don't think the Authority is interested in it, though this route (along with the 66 and 79) could be a good fit for "all door boarding," which might work (but does need enforcement).

4. Bus Lanes Diversey to Wacker, at the risk of losing parking (and the aldercreatures subject to the wrath of those who want parking).

5. The 36 and 22 end up in the same area but two different corridors. Combine that with point 6 below, then what would replace 22 service southward, especially with the downtown routing? 36 shouldn't need to go further north than Devon.

Honorable mention: For layover sake, Belmont and Halsted or Fullerton Brown Line. I'd be less concerned with the service gap for four blocks, but there should be some service to back up with the 36. That, or some 156 pilot (or some other number) to backfill it. Extra 36 buses south of Irving Park (or Waveland? DePaul?)

 

[Busjack]

16 minutes ago, MetroShadow said:

this route (along with the 66 and 79) could be a good fit for "all door boarding," which might work (but does need enforcement).

 

As you said, this needs enforcement. Off-bus fare collection was tried at 69th-Red Line and at a Loop Link station, but even with an attendant, didn't work.

66, with a bus lane from Sacramento to downtown, might have been a candidate for a 3-door bus, but that doesn't seem in the cards, either, a;though nobody has seen BEVs 623-644, either.

[strictures]

On 3/27/2026 at 4:55 AM, Sam92 said:

No, you're in denial that they have added runs, increased frequency and it still hasn't worked. So if CTA determines that the 22 needs to be altered like 11 what are you gonna do then? Making false claims isn't gonna make CTA change it's mind you're gonna have to find a new route anyway so might as well get creative instead of constantly exaggerating on here

Except they haven't added runs!  Just flat out amazing that you never ride it but claim to be an expert on it! And I just saw even more silly & absurd reroute ideas that don't make any sense!

If they ever do get around to adding it to the Frequent Bus Network & then it runs as well as it did in 2008, will you fake experts finally shut up?

[YoungBusLover]

1 hour ago, strictures said:

Except they haven't added runs!  Just flat out amazing that you never ride it but claim to be an expert on it! And I just saw even more silly & absurd reroute ideas that don't make any sense!

If they ever do get around to adding it to the Frequent Bus Network & then it runs as well as it did in 2008, will you fake experts finally shut up?

Well I'm an operator that has more insight than you ever will have on the matter. The ideas proposed by everyone on this topic aren't bad ideas by any means. Adding more runs doesn't fix the infrastructure issues that have gotten considerably worse since 2008. Short turns during rush hour would be the best alternative for the 22 while the 36/151 pick up the slack going into Downtown along with an honorable mention being the 37 during the weekdays. Short turns at Belmont and Halsted, Clark and North Ave for the 22 would work the best to restore consistent frequent service. Now during the non peak hours service will be what it is and that my friend is "fickle service" Just like any other major bus service across the entire system.

[Sam92]

4 hours ago, MetroShadow said:

 

Honorable mention: For layover sake, Belmont and Halsted or Fullerton Brown Line. I'd be less concerned with the service gap for four blocks, but there should be some service to back up with the 36. That, or some 156 pilot (or some other number) to backfill it. Extra 36 buses south of Irving Park (or Waveland? DePaul?)

 

That was basically the idea. Adding 36 short turns from Irving to make up for the 22 headways along with a few extra buses on the #8, 9, 156. 

[Sam92]

2 hours ago, strictures said:

Except they haven't added runs!  Just flat out amazing that you never ride it but claim to be an expert on it! And I just saw even more silly & absurd reroute ideas that don't make any sense!

If they ever do get around to adding it to the Frequent Bus Network & then it runs as well as it did in 2008, will you fake experts finally shut up?

Who said I never rode it? 🥴🥴 Did you forget I've lived and worked up north for years? 🤔🤔

[Elkmn]

Rip up clark street and turn it into a lazy river! there are more floating tubes than there are buses! 

 

I like the idea of having short turns, and trips that take Clark part of the way, and then go onto LSD. There's really no fixing the 22 in its current form!

[Sam92]

7 hours ago, Elkmn said:

Rip up clark street and turn it into a lazy river! there are more floating tubes than there are buses! 

 

I like the idea of having short turns, and trips that take Clark part of the way, and then go onto LSD. There's really no fixing the 22 in its current form!

Let the bikers have it on the condition that they leave other streets alone and leave key bus corridors open for whatever infrastructure can be made to quicken the pace particularly for trips not going down town 🤔

[Busjack]

10 hours ago, Elkmn said:

Rip up clark street and turn it into a lazy river! there are more floating tubes than there are buses! 

 

I was thinking that if anyone is considering something on the lines @Tcmetro was suggesting, they should turn it into a transit mall, but that didn't work so well on State Street.

[Elkmn]

6 hours ago, Sam92 said:

Let the bikers have it on the condition that they leave other streets alone and leave key bus corridors open for whatever infrastructure can be made to quicken the pace particularly for trips not going down town 🤔

So like a mega-greenway! I like that idea!

[EasyMoney]

On 3/28/2026 at 7:46 PM, Sam92 said:

Who said I never rode it? 🥴🥴 Did you forget I've lived and worked up north for years? 🤔🤔

they told me the same thing like i haven't operated the 22 for 1 1/2 i know exactly why clark is such a miss  

[Busjack]

29 minutes ago, EasyMoney said:

they told me the same thing like i haven't operated the 22 for 1 1/2 i know exactly why clark is such a miss  

So why won't you [ickup @strictures? 😅

[jajuan]

On 3/24/2026 at 5:06 PM, strictures said:

Tell me, how many ride the 82, versus the 22? I'm betting the 22 has double the number of riders, so it should have double the number of buses!

The point is if the 22 is getting the same number or slightly more than the number of buses of the 82, which is a few miles longer and is now a Frequent Network route, the problem is definitely not that there aren't enough buses. The issue you're getting at is that there's a chronic bus bunching problem, which is totally different and ain't gonna get solved by dumping more buses on the road to also get slowed down by the same factors contributing to those already out there getting stuck. 

On 3/24/2026 at 8:48 PM, sht6131 said:

Jan 26 numbers,

weekday 22-12,220, 82-12,010 Sat. 22, 11,070, 82-7,626, Sunday 22 8042, 82-6230,

You would have lost the bet lol. I doubt if the numbers would double in three months to the present.

My thanks to you for providing the ridership numbers that inadvertently and offhandedly solidified my point. 

[EasyMoney]

The problem with 22 is the bus stops are close as hell north of north ave then the 22  shares Clark with the 36 until diversity that’s another issue and some runs only go to foster doing rush hours some operators needing a fallback some need to be put in place it’s a lot of little issues that causes Clark to be a shit show trust me adding buses or taking some off the street that’s why I think Clark needs a “X” Route Stops at all main streets until Howard if you notice service is typically better at night