by Aaron M. Renn
Chronicling life riding the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
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Police have made an arrest in last year's slaying of Metra conductor Wilbert Van Hooten. 20 year old Jason Dace was charged with murder. The Van Hooten murder, which occurred on the Metra Electric Blue Island Branch, was the first in Metra history. Van Hooten was six months from retirement. [ Source: Chicago Sun-Times 11 July 2000 ]
The CTA has decided to start experimenting with "smart cards" to supplement the existing fare card system. These would be a durable plastic card with an embedded microchip for storing value. Instead of dipping into the turnstile, these would be placed next to a sensor to be read. One advantage of these cards is that they can be replaced with full value if lost or stolen. The disadvantage: the CTA can track the card to you personally. [ Source: CTA Press Release 10 July 2000 ]
Pace is preparing to eliminate 10 routes because they do not meet the agency's standards for ridership and financial performance. These are: #234-Wheeling/Des Plaines, #715-Central DuPage, #700-Addison/Villa Park, #421-Wilmette Ave/#423-Sheridan Rd., #690-Arlington Heights, #831-Joliet/Midway, #407-Bloomingdale/Roselle, #821-Woodridge/Belmont, #877-South Suburban Oakbrook/#888-Tri-State Flyer, and #823-West Boolingbrook/Lisle [ Source: Chicago Tribune 11 July 2000 ]
A study of commuter rail service in Northwest Indiana has eliminated one option and kept two others alive. Eliminated was a proposed line to Crown Point due to excessive trackage abandonment. Still alive are a 44.6 mile route from Chicago to Lowell using CSX trackage, and a 54.2 mile route to Valparaiso using CN trackage. Both options would cost about $250 million. The ridership would be about 7,900 per day. [ Source: Chicago Sun-Times 13 July 2000 ] [ Sounds like a pretty low benefit/cost to me - AMR ]
Gary S. Callison wrote in with this Metra story:
I live in the west burbs, and occasionally take the Metra/BNSF (Aurora) or UP-W (Geneva) trains into the loop, and I've never had a problem on either of these trains. Yesterday I came into town for the ALA show, and instead of taking a cab over to McCormick, decided to walk over to the Van Buren station and take the South Shore train there. I bought a zone A ticket at Van Buren, get on the train, and when the conductor gets to me he says "Where you goin'?""McCormick" says I.
"You here for the show? You have a show pass? Let me see it." I show it to him. "You didn't need to buy this then", and he hands me the ticket back. "Get a refund at the ticket window. The trains are free for folks with a show pass".
Hey, that's great. But I didn't get a refund, I just went to the show. Then, when I'm coming back, I get on the train, different conductor gets to me and says "Ticket?" and I show him the show pass. He says "Ticket?" I give him the ticket. Good thing I didn't get a refund, eh?
This just struck me as a little strange. I was ready to rant about the second guy, but later I find out that the first guy was wrong - there was supposed to be a five-day pass or something in my show kit, but I never got that bit.
Sean M Gash wrote in with a followup to complaints about delays on reverse commute express trains on the Metra BNSF line:
The delays he speaks of are not due to freight trains, which do not run during the height of rush hour. The 5:20 train has to set out 4 cars in the yard as it makes the westbound 6:55, 9:30 and 12:35 departures from CUS. This eastbound is also scheduled too fast - thats Metra's doing. The 4:50 express, like many "reverse commute" trains are simply equipment moves [called "deadheads" if you want your readers to learn railroad jargon]. Consequently, this eastbound train's main purpose is to get downtown to become the 6:00 train. If it runs any later, the following "deadhead" trains will not be able to get downtown in time to make the 6:10 and 6:20 departures.
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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