by Aaron M. Renn
Chronicling life riding the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
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The RTA is planning on extending the same software used by operators at the RTA travel information center to the web. The user will able to input source and destination addresses, and the desired travel time, and the program will return transit options. The telephone line will remain open and can be reached at (312) 836-7000. [ Source: Chicago Sun-Times 1 August 2000 ]
Chicago's airport department is considering a plan to implement more rapid train service from Midway and O'Hare to the Loop. The train would utilize at least some L trackage and always follow CTA right of way into a new terminal underneath the building that is supposed to be constructed at Adams and Dearborn. Speeds would exceed the current 55 MPH limit on the L, and there would be limited stops. A potential monkey wrench in the plan - as always - is funding. The proposal would cost several hundred million dollars, and Mayor Daley has ruled out using tax dollars or airport passenger facility charges to pay for it. [ Source: Chicago Sun-Times 1-2 August 2000 ]
As part of the never-ending work on the UP-Kenosha Sub rail line behind my house, new ballast was dumped on the tracks around Main St. station. Until recent rains washed away the dust from this, express trains and deadheads would stir up a dust cloud like a desert sand storm whenever they went past. That's not very pleasant to experience while you're standing on the platform, I can tell you.
And here's a followup to a story about free rides on the bus from Eric Bowden:
I've gotten the free ride on a CTA bus a few times due to a malfunctioning fairbox. My assumption is that they still need the busses out there, so they send them out and everybody gets a free ride.I also got a free ride once when the busses were too close together. The driver told people not to pay so that she could get a lead on the bus behind her. Once she was far enough ahead, she resumed having people pay the fare.
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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