CTA Tattler

Trib story on lack of CTA communication quotes Tattler readers

The Tribune today picks up on the woeful performance by the CTA during Monday's bomb scare, particularly noting how passengers were complaining about lack of communication from the CTA. And writer Virginia Groark quotes two Tattler readers. Way to go guys!

"In e-mails, Web logs and interviews this week, several riders said when they asked CTA employees what was happening, many of them didn't know. In other cases, riders said CTA employees tried to pass along information on the public address system, but the sound quality was so poor passengers couldn't understand what they said.

"Though the communication issues merely exasperated a nightmarish afternoon commute, they could create a significant problem if a real attack occurred, riders said."

You hit the nail right on the head there, Ms. Groark.

CTA working to make garbled announcements audible

Since Monday's fiasco (Red Line rerouted to the El Loop tracks due to a bomb threat), we've all been yippin' and yappin' about the lack of communication in general from the CTA, and the lack of AUDIBLE communications specifically.

Help is on the way! While poking around the CTA's Web site, I found this press release from July 13: "CTA to Upgrade Communications Capability":

"Today the Chicago Transit Board approved a $31 million communications contract to upgrade its rail communication system. The project will expand the CTA’s use of fiber optics, which increases the speed and capacity of information CTA is able to transmit both internally and to customers. Some CTA rail lines and stations already have fiber optics but others do not.

“Fiber optic cable can enhance communication systems because of its ability to carry more information, more reliably, with clearer audio and video reception,” said CTA President Frank Kruesi. “Customers will hear clearer platform announcements with an expanded fiber optic network.”

Amazing. The CTA, responding to rider complaints!

Random searches in NYC subways; Is CTA next?

And so it goes. New York City is implementing random searches of subway passengers as the altest security measure, in response to yet another London bombing.

Are we next?

Four London explosions close three subway stations

In breaking news, MSNBC is reporting that four explosions or "attempted" excplosions this morning targeted three London subway stations and a bus.

Meanwhile, non-bomb-sniffing dogs dragged by non-police officers delayed CTA commuters this morning with bogus security checks.

God helps us all.

Please don't wear that dress in public

Lately I think I may be turning into a fashionista, with two posts in one week about what women are wearing. But hey, I just call them as I see them!

Tuesday morning I saw a woman in her mid-20s board the Red Line at Sheridan. She was wearing a red spaghetti-strap dress, pulling tightly around her ample stomach.

Written diagonally from her bosom to her gut in bright, white, block letters was CALORIES, with an arrow pointing to her abs.

Huh?

CTA ridership up 4%; so don't drive us away

The CTA proudly reports on its Web site that ridership is up almost 4% through the first five months of the 2005, compared to the same period in 2004.

"On an average weekday in May, CTA provided more than 1.5 million rides, with the bus system accounting for nearly one million of those rides, and the rail system providing slightly more than a half million. CTA is the second largest transit agency in the U.S. and operates seven rail lines and 150 bus routes in Chicago and 40 surrounding suburbs."

So, Frank Kruesi, wanna keep those riders? Don't subject them to the chaos they faced on trains lines Monday night.

Communicate. Tell supervisors what's going on, so they can tell customer assistants, so they can actually ASSIST customers.

While you're at it, how about getting some REAL bomb-sniffing dogs. The bored dogs who lethargically stroll past open rail car doors certainly aren't trained to sniff for explosives. Our clueless mayor and impotent CTA president should follow the lead of Milwaukee and reassign dogs from the airport to the CTA.

Finally, Congress should step up and provide more adequate funding for transit security.

According to Computer World magazine: "At a national level, the amount needed for such increased security measures is around $6 billion, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), a nonprofit group of 1,500 member organizations in Washington. So far, the public transportation industry has received only $250 million in federal security funding since 9/11, compared with more than $18 billion provided to the aviation industry, the APTA said in a statement released after the London bombings."

Now, THAT'S truly outrageous.

Skull massage

A 30-ish man leans against the wall to the Hobo Corner, looking obviously tired.

Suddenly he begins frenetically rubbing the bone under his eye. I timed him; he massaged that bone for three minutes. Stopped. Then went back at it again. Three more minutes.

Then he tilted his head all the way back and fell asleep.

Messy rush hour caused by unattended package

What a mess rush hour was last night on CTA rail lines.

An unattended package forced evacuation of a Red Line train at Roosevelt at about 4:45 pm. Passengers were herded off the train and then led to the elevated tracks in the Loop, where Red Line trains were sitting above ground taking on delayed passengers.

And when the Red Line joins the Purple and Brown Line trains on the same track, you can bet on long delays. Some folks sat in trains at one spot for 30 minutes or so.

The CTA was its usual reticent self. Though it did post this terse announcement on it Web site.

A black clutch with a definite message

A woman in her early-20s boards the Red Line headed south in the morning rush. She's wearing a black micro-miniskirt, four-inch-high black heels with pink flowers on them, and a super low-cut white T-shirt.

She casually checks her cell phone voice mail, which she pulled out of her black clutch purse. Written on the purse in what appears to be red lipstick is:

"Lighten up! Be juicy!" And a big heart.

Senate cuts money for transit security

Bombs rip through trains in Madrid, killing almost 200 people.

Four suicide bombers in London board trains and buses and kill more than 50 people.

But the Tribune reported Sunday that the U.S. Senate last week reduced funding for public transportation security by a third.

That's right CUT funding. From $150 million to $100 million.

I can't help but think one of the reasons the Republican-dominated Senate cut funding is because most of the the money would go to big cities in Blue States.