by Aaron M. Renn
Chronicling life riding the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
Visit The Weekly Breakdown on the web at http://www.urbanophile.com/breakdown/
Ed Sachs (nospam-edsachs@mediaone.net) wrote in to mention that there are some Metra schedule changes posted on their web site at http://www.metrarail.com. This affects midday service on the Milwaukee North, Milwaukee West, and North Central lines. Some trains are now scheduled to take longer than they did previously.
A computer snafu led to fare card readers on PACE buses not charging the rider any money during early November. Tribune writer Jon Hilkevitch pointed out that this just helps to make up for the way PACE overcharges people who use CTA fare cards during times the system is working. PACE normally deducts a full $1.50 CTA fare even though most PACE fares are only $1.15. [ Source: Chicago Tribune 12/14/98 ]
Two new CTA express bus routes start this week. The X49 Western Express will run from 6a to 7p weekdays between Berwyn and 95th. On weekends, the new X21 Cermak Express will run from 8a to 7p between the Douglas L terminal and McCormick place. Note that the Douglas L itself does not run on weekends any longer. [ Source: Chicago Tribune 12/15/98 ]
The village of Glenview is receiving a $7.5 million state grant, part of which will go to build a new Metra station near the former Glenview Naval Air Station. This new station will supplement, not replace, the existing Glenview train station. [ Source: Chicago Sun-Times 12/14/98 ]
Don Hosek (nospam-dhosek@quixote.com) had this to say about Mayor Daley's planned crackdown on nuisance crimes as reported in WB #46.
"Daley's planned crackdown on nuisance crimes has one problem: Who's going to enforce it. As the weather has gotten colder, I've been pushed past my tolerance point of people standing under the heat lamps smoking right next to the no smoking punishable by fine sign. I politely ask the person to stop smoking, pointing out the sign. They say no. I tell them that I'm going to inform the station personnel. They laugh. I find out why. Station personnel will do no more than make an announcement that there is no smoking. They will not approach a person smoking in the station.
So what makes Daley think that anything will happen to radio players and litterers? I'd be surprised if there really are cases that make it as far as the court system to begin with."
A recent thread on misc.transport.urban-transit mentions that the CTA is having problems with its experimental fuel cell buses. Apparently all three are out of service for various reasons.
The Weekly Breakdown is a small Internet journal devoted to the trials and tribulations of being a regular rider of the Chicago Transit Authority. I would be happy to hear about and include your experiences. Just send mail to breakdown@urbanophile.com.
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