Running Red

[BusHunter]

At least the Tribune story (and several others I have read in suburban papers) say that you have to cross the white line after the light turns red for the camera to catch you.

I've screeched the brakes on a yellow light as a precaution. Maybe that wasn't necessary.

In any event, the city pictures are supposed to be downloadable. I'm sure CTA brass, being in tight with the city, would contest any if there were grounds. Unless the CTA has taken on the role of being another of the city's revenue sources, which is possible.

Crossing the white line may flash the camera, but it doesn't seem to get you a ticket. I've been in that situation where there was a street blockage and traffic was backed up through the intersection. My picture was took yet I didn't receive a ticket. All camera shots are reviewed before they are sent out for tickets. If there's not a shot of you on the other side of the intersection it could be contested that you even blowed the light. Bus drivers themselves have another camera to worry about. The one that looks out the front door area. I've heard of operators being called in the office to explain why a person has boarded and didn't pay there fare. Some riders are pretty savoy sneaking in the back door in crouched positions and sneaking past paying riders in the front to gain a free ride. I guess you really have to pay attention or it's the office for you.

[dauber]

I also think many of the red light cameras are catching buses that haven't run red lights. They've just entered a light at yellow, and they're longer than other vehicles, so they trip the camera despite not having run the light.

One day this summer when I was standing at the corner of Western and Peterson, I saw the camera flash SEVERAL times -- DURING A GREEN LIGHT. Not a single person was running a red light...but the light was GREEN.

Either way, I can't believe they can get away with making customers pay for their own mistakes. (Then again, government does it all the time when they mismanage the budget...)

[Busjack]

Apparently it is still going on. Sun-Times story.

[sw4400]

Not sticking up for the driver here, but is all on her(I mean, she shouldn've ran the red. I was almost hit by a bus running a red once)? This was a quote from the Fox News page...

"The bus was southbound on the 151 route and was crowded with passengers"(Story)

If this bus was anything like my encounter on the 77, then the CTA needs to address the dangerous cramming and overcrowding of passengers in the buses. The driver needs to see that passenger mirror and their blind spots where a pedestrian/bicyclist may lurk.

Yeah, you may p/o a few passengers by telling them "Take the next bus behind me." and shut the doors on them, but safety should be #1 on CTA's priority, not quantity of passengers in one bus. It's not a clown car!!!

[Guest]

Not sticking up for the driver here, but is all on her(I mean, she shouldn've ran the red. I was almost hit by a bus running a red once)? This was a quote from the Fox News page...

"The bus was southbound on the 151 route and was crowded with passengers"(Story)

If this bus was anything like my encounter on the 77, then the CTA needs to address the dangerous cramming and overcrowding of passengers in the buses. The driver needs to see that passenger mirror and their blind spots where a pedestrian/bicyclist may lurk.

Yeah, you may p/o a few passengers by telling them "Take the next bus behind me." and shut the doors on them, but safety should be #1 on CTA's priority, not quantity of passengers in one bus. It's not a clown car!!!

If I cant see my right side mirror and I do not have an unobstructed view of my right side then I wont move the bus, Period! For the most part, I found that if I politely explain to the passengers why I cant move the bus they are very cooperative. I let them know it is a safety issue. Although, when I worked #12 Roosevelt years ago it was a very different story. Everyone wanted to cram your bus even if my follower was in view behind me. At the time we were operating the new Flxible 6000s. The kneeling feature was very problematic then because of the amount of passengers that would cram at the front the added weight would of course bring the front of the bus down thus, causing a sensor to make the bus think it is kneel and subsequently would prevent me from driving the bus. I recall many times having to instruct passengers to either move back or to exit and catch the bus behind which was already in view. My right side mirror would occasionally be obstructed by passengers. I recall trying to instruct them to move to the rear or catch the next bus, they would either scream at me to close the doors, yell at other passengers to move or just give me a simple "F" you! I recall having to call CPD because one passenger became so irate because I tried explain that he was blocking my right side mirror and because my view was obstructed, I couldnt move the bus. In another incident I recalled operating the #50 Damen NB at the Eisenhower. I was driving a 4500 TMC RTS, the entire right side mirror assembly came loose, the mirror would move out of place while the bus was in motion. I tried to keep the bus moving, I contacted the control center about the problem. But it became harder and harder to keep the bus moving with the right side mirror constantly moving out of place. I had to keep getting up to adjust it, finally a passenger began to get upset with me. I tried to explain to him that the bus mirror came loose and that its becoming difficult to operate the bus in this way. Then he began to lecture me about why didnt I check that before I pulled the bus out. I pretty much ignored this person, there was rationalizing with him, I let the passengers know that I contacted a supervisor in hopes that the problem could be fixed without any delay to the riders. Unfortunately it was a bit too much for one passenger and he began verbally assaulting me, I told him he would have to either calm down or I would be forced to call CPD. He did calm down eventually, I didnt really feel the need to call police on him, but just in case! A supervisor did intercept me down the street, he fortunately had the tools on hand to tighten the one hex nuts that held the mirror assembly and the problem was fixed, I never even fell behind on my time. But safety should be number #1. Whether the passengers understood it or not, I knew that what I was doing was the right call. I felt good about it! For all bus operators, safety should be number #1 priority. No exceptions!

[Busjack]

...

"The bus was southbound on the 151 route and was crowded with passengers"(Story)

If this bus was anything like my encounter on the 77, then the CTA needs to address the dangerous cramming and overcrowding of passengers in the buses. The driver needs to see that passenger mirror and their blind spots where a pedestrian/bicyclist may lurk.

...

If it was running the red light, the red light was in front of the bus.

Now, I suppose that CTA isn't enforcing the "stand behind the line" rule, but otherwise the stuff about the bus being crowded (and from the video, for which Fox Chicago had a looonnng way to go, maybe 50 feet) indicates that it was an articulated bus. So, unless there were 150 people on it, it doesn't seem like it was crowded was relevant to the story, except that a number of people had to be loaded on the next bus.

[sw4400]

If it was running the red light, the red light was in front of the bus.

Now, I suppose that CTA isn't enforcing the "stand behind the line" rule, but otherwise the stuff about the bus being crowded (and from the video, for which Fox Chicago had a looonnng way to go, maybe 50 feet) indicates that it was an articulated bus. So, unless there were 150 people on it, it doesn't seem like it was crowded was relevant to the story, except that a number of people had to be loaded on the next bus.

I can't say how busy the 151 route is, as I've never rode it. But I've see the 152 and 154 after Cubs games(Articulated buses) and they are sometimes jammed from front to back with passengers. Easily over 150 passengers on some of these buses.

The driver was probably at fault for the red light running, I'm not doubting that. But I'm bringing up the passenger mirror isssue because bicyclists could be riding up near the bus, someone in the bus requests the next stop, the driver pulls the bus into the path of the bike to let the passenger off, not being able to check that mirror or blind spot due to the excessive crowding, and you can pretty much guess the outcome.

I guess it'll take some unfortunate CTA Bus vs. Bicycle accident to rectify the overcrowded bus issue. And it'll probably happen on a route like 77 after the Logan Square Blue Line stop or 152/154 after a Cubs game when the bus has over 150 passengers in the bus. I know this is a serious issue. I've been on an way, way overcrowded Flxible 6000-Series on Belmont a few years ago where the standees filled the bus and were even on the stairs in the front of the bus while the driver continued west on Belmont! Any current or former CTA Bus Operator on this forum would most likely agree!

[Busjack]

Well, those accidents have happened plenty times before, and apparently are the reason that the inside rubber fenders were put in front of the rear wheels.

As far as mirrors, the only relevant one would be in front of the front door, and then the only relevant question is whether CTA is enforcing the "stand behind the line" rule, which I bet it isn't.

[Sam92]

Well, those accidents have happened plenty times before, and apparently are the reason that the inside rubber fenders were put in front of the rear wheels.

As far as mirrors, the only relevant one would be in front of the front door, and then the only relevant question is whether CTA is enforcing the "stand behind the line" rule, which I bet it isn't.

I can tell you that 79 79th st operators are definately not enforcing that rule, not that it really can on a route that busy. A few times I was practically crammed against the windshield and it's like that practically from the start of the route.

[Guest]

I can tell you that 79 79th st operators are definately not enforcing that rule, not that it really can on a route that busy. A few times I was practically crammed against the windshield and it's like that practically from the start of the route.

In the 11 years Ive driven buses, I have never once seen anyone enforce or be written up for being ahead of the standee line.

[trainman8119]

As far as mirrors, the only relevant one would be in front of the front door, and then the only relevant question is whether CTA is enforcing the "stand behind the line" rule, which I bet it isn't.

That would be incorrect. Perhaps the most important mirror on a bus next to the mirror outside the driver's window on the left would be the mirror inside the bus over the fare box. The most obvious thought is that mirror gives you a view of the bus, but it's important purpose is to see your pivot point. This is usually determined by the window in front of the door and by using that you can determine if you are clear (of a parked car for example). The side mirrors are inaccurate for that purpose and usually you are trained to steer away from using them for turning purposes. I think other operators can back me up on this. Thus a full bus makes cutting over to a curb or making a right turn more difficult than you might think. Could be a reason why many operators hit curbs when they turn.