by Aaron M. Renn
Chronicling life riding the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
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Pace is preparing to start experimenting with bike racks on its buses. It is going to install them on the #801 and #802 routes first, then probably expand the program later. [ Source: Pace press release ]
I almost blew a sprocket on Saturday. I was taking the L to a wedding. I got on at Main after a mere 30 second wait - great timing! - then when we got to Howard there was the dreaded five minute wait at the interlocking to get into the station. I knew what this meant. As I got off I immediately looked down the track and sure enough there was a Red Line train pulling away from Jarvis. There had been two Red Line trains taking up both tracks so that we had to wait until one left to get into the station. Then of course we had to wait ten minutes for the next one to leave. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE F###ING TIME! As soon as the Purple Line that dropped me off pulled away, another Red Line pulled in so sure enough, the next Purple train would have the same thing happen to them.
I was about to storm the customer assistant booth, but I know from experience this does nothing. They know you're mad, and they know what about, and they just don't care. They just plain ignore you and pretend they don't even see you. It is a good thing I don't have a cell phone because I was ready to dialup the CTA and really cut loose.
THE TOWERMEN AT HOWARD SHOULD BE FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thrown out on their worthless butts. There is absolutely no excuse for treating riders like this.
Later, after I finally got to head south from Howard, our train ended up stopped for a couple minutes at Wilson with the door open. No explanation. However, at both Belmont and Fullerton, the motorman chided the customers to hurry up and board using all the available doors. He really was scolding us, saying "I _said_ use all available doors" just like a parent or something. Hey jerk, if you'd had your act together this whole trip maybe you'd be in a position to say something. Don't blame us for the fact that you're behind schedule because you stopped for two minutes at Wilson.
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. The views expressed by contributors are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher.
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