by Aaron M. Renn
Chronicling life riding the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
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Gov. Ryan has unveiled a proposed $12 billion infrastructure improvement program called "Illinois FIRST". This would include a substantial amount of money for transit. It would provide matching funds for the Douglas L reconstruction and Ravenswood L expansion. Funding for a number of projects on Metra's wish list, such as the double tracking of the North Central line, is also included. The plan calls for issuing billions in bonds and doubling license plate fees to raise the needed money. Part of the funding would also come from additional federal dollars leveraged from the additional matching money available. [ Source: Chicago Sun-Times 6 May 1999 ]
I often report on the various entertaining characters that inhabit the CTA. Well, this week I got to be part of the entertainment myself. I went to the Cubs night game on Monday and, well, had a few too many. More than a few too many actually. I don't really recall getting on the L at Addison to go home. I do remember getting off at Loyola though because I was about to puke on the train. I did end up leaning over the tracks and vomitting at the station. Unfortunately, I didn't quite clear the platform and made a bit of a mess on the blue plastic border at the edge of the tracks. Sorry.
Here's a bit more from Mr. Goof (nospam-goofy@bpf.promisc.org):
"Had 2 intresting experiences with Metra last week...
"I was taking the train to work (the one that arrives at LaSalle at 10:45pm). And I'm waiting for the Metra in to arrive at the station (it arrives around 9:46). It turns around 10:09...still no train, a voice comes on the speakers to say that 'blabla the train is delayed', but they don't say when it'll get there. Anyhow, it finally shows up, but it's going really really slow. After boarding, the train still is moving in slow motion...I asked the conductor, they said because of signal problems, they have to drive the rest of the way at 20 miles per hour (grr).
"The very next day, leaving LaSalle Street Station at 10:30am, after every stop, I noticed a strange smell, and smoke coming from the front part of the train briefly. As the train keeps going southbound, through beverly stops, the smoke gets more dense..etc...at around 127th...i see a *GIGANTIC* cloud of white smoke on both sides of the train, it was so dense you could not see a thing through it. The train then lost power and came to a stop. The conductors were fighting over who should say what to the passengers. They finally said that the train had run out of 'water', and that mechanical employees are on their way. Several minutes later, a northbound train (with 2 engines!) passes us. It's strange why they didn't unhook one of the engines to finish our trip. Anyhow, we're still waiting and the conductors are clueless. I asked them if they will dispatch the buses (which are 1 block from us, we are right next to the Blue Island yard, where trains are re-charged every night, along with *tons* of maintenance equipment). They said we still have to wait..blabla...they finally admit they cannot get the train started, and we'll have to wait for the next southbound train...as we're going south, I see Metra's scrolling LED signs saying how they cancelled the next inbound Chicago train. Sheesh, I think metra has *enough* trains...it's that hard for them to pull out another one?"
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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