by Aaron M. Renn
Chronicling life riding the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
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Dennis Byrne, a Sun-Times columnist wrote a long and excellent essay in support of extending the Skokie Swift line north to Northbrook Court mall. He rightly suggests that this is one transit improvement that would directly benefit reverse commuters, since it is part of the CTA's network. It would also benefit shoppers, as the route would serve Old Orchard Mall. (I'm somewhat skeptical of getting to Northbrook Court, as that would require an expensive grade separated crossing of a UP freight line). He also hit the nail on the head when talking about the way the region's totally uncoordinated transit systems have treated this project like a football. He also makes good points about the suspicion many North Shore residents have about easy access to their town to people from the city (read, "blacks"). But most importantly, he hits very close to the mark on how to fund not just this improvement, but virtually all major transportation improvements. That is, through a tax on the increased land values created by the project. On the whole, one of the best pieces I've seen on transit in a local paper, even if the Skokie Swift extension isn't my highest tranist priority. [ Source: Byrne, Dennis. "New Swift an idea that shouldn't die", Chicago Sun-Times, 17 December 1998, p. 41 ]
There was yet another fire on the Red Line this week. A fire broke out on the train at 3:30p on Dec 20 near the 69th/Dan Ryan station. One man was treated and released at St. Bernard Hospital for minor smoke inhalation. [ Source: Chicago Tribune 21 December 1998 ] Thanks also to Matthew Robert Zanon (nospam-mzanon@knox.edu) for reporting this story to me. He also wonders whether the rolling stock on the Red Line is particularly likely to catch on fire. Thoughts?
The previously announced Ravenswood schedule extensions are now in effect. The Ravenswood will run to the Loop an extra two hours in the evening, restoring a cut that was made in 1981. There is an 4:45am run in the morning, too. This is 15 minutes earlier than the previous first run. [ Source: Chicago Sun-Times 12/21/98 ]
Mr. Zanon also had a transit problem to report to us this week.
"My Heritage Cooridor train from Joliet today was _an hour_ late.
The collector in my car way very informative regarding it all, I suppose. Apparently, there was a derailment on the Illinois Central Railroad near Willow Springs. My train left Joliet Union Station late because 'the conductor got his orders late, and he's a short fat guy who can't get around the train too well', the ticket collector explained. We proceeded very slowly to Lockport and Lemont. I fell asleep near Willow Springs. When I awoke after stopping in Summit, I could tell by the declination of the sun we were really late. We stopped, and the collector informed us that there was a signal failure where the IC intersects the Beltway Railroad. We stood for about fifteen minutes waiting for a freight train to pass, at which point the conductor received verbal permission to proceed. The exact same thing occurred again at an intersection near Pershing and Archer. We finally made it into Union Station at 9:15, over an hour late. I missed a meeting at work, which turned out to be canceled because my boss wasn't in. Perhaps his Milwaukee West train was to blame!"
A co-worker of mine also reported the story above. My understanding is that much of the route used by the Heritage Corridor (which only has two trains each way per day) does not have any interlocking signals at crossings, turning each crossing into a four way stop! This train has a long scheduled running time despite the paucity of stops. Even worse when bad things happen.
Now as you may or may not be aware, Metra does not allow bicycles on their trains. However, at least one commuter has figured out a way to beat the system. The other week, I saw a man exit my inbound UP-North line train at Clybourn in your standard issue business casual dress, with full bicycling gear on top of it. He was carrying what I can only describe as a collaspisble bicycle. It was a bicycle that folded into the shape of an oversized briefcase. I'm not making this up. I've never seen anything quite like it. Apparently, this contraption satisfies Metra's rules - or at least their conductors.
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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