CTA Tattler

After switching from Brown to Red this morning at Belmont, we crawled to Fullerton where we sat for 25 minutes until a passenger on the platform was kind enough to tell us that he had heard on another train that there was no southbound service on the Red Line due to a power outage. Nice of our conductor to help us out when we could have caught any of the number of southbound Purple or Brown Line trains that passed us while we sat!

Made it to my bus stop at peterson and ravenswood with 4 other passengers when we saw the bus coming so we stepped up and a truck passed the bus and proceeded to douce us with a mix of saltwater and sleet. Then the bus passed us. (if i were a driver I guess I wouldnt want 5 angry, pissed off people on my bus) so we sttod there waiting for the next bus when BAM. It happened again. No bus this time. I just up and left the bus stop. Im now at home with everything in the wash. Maybe I'll try again later.

I wrote this letter and sent it to the CTA this morning:

Dear Frank Kruesi and Carolyn Brown,

Today I was evacuated in the subway tunnel for what the Chicago Tribune reported as a "Train Malfunction." Why wasn't this reported on your website? Anyway that is beside the point. Because of your train malfunction, I had to walk about 2 miles in the worst weather this year to get to my job. Why did I walk, well because you didn't give me any other option. The walk took an hour and was absolutely horrible. On the way I was almost killed or severely maimed by falling ice. I walked the entire time in slush and with little pellets of ice hitting me in the face. Have you ever had to walk two miles with little pellets of ice hitting your face? I bet not and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, except the both of you. Then you would know what it is like to rely on an unreliable transit system and then, maybe you would do something to fix it. I know your reply will be "We don't get enough money from the state" blah blah blah. I don't blame funding, I blame an incompetent management and board.

Thank you for being the bane of my existence,

Spencer

What's the point of leaving early if the bus is 30 minutes late, and come in packs of 3? So, not only did i wait way too long for the 67 bus that takes me to the Red Line, but when i get to the 69th St. Red Line station what do i see but a gazillion pissed off people. There was a fire department emergency at Chicago. Great. Please mr. announcer, thank me again for my patience and understanding, i dare you.

I boarded a southbound Brown line train at ten after 8 this morning. Our progress ground to a halt just outside of Addison, where we sat for about ten minutes. The motorman didn't sound very practiced or comfortable at communicating with riders, but gamely related all the necessary facts. The main components of his notices were to relay the information that the subway was closed and, as a result, our train would be traveling over the loop. Unfortunately, his diligent efforts were undermined when he had to announce that subway service was restored AFTER we'd pulled out from Fullerton. Once we got past Division, we moved at a decent pace into the loop. In fact, we probably moved faster than yesterday morning when there was no snow or ice. I made it downtown at 5 after 8. Not bad considering the technical problems in the subway and the resulting confusion.

This commute really should have allowed me to walk away feeling better about the CTA. They seemed to be moving with an unusual amount of urgency to not only solve problems, but communicate concerning impact and alternatives. Unfortunately, I can't feel good about it because everyone KNEW this would happen. Everytime Chicago has inclement weather, especially during the last few years, the CTA melts down due to systemic equipment/infrastructure problems, and poor organization and management. Thanks to poor leadership, the agency can't keep systems maintained in order to sustain optimal performance during bad weather. For that matter, they often can't keep things together during good weather.

Now transit riders are trapped inside a chicken versus egg debate that weighs whether the CTA can't function because it's not funded adequately against the idea that it's not funded adequately because it's too inept to be trusted with more money. The only solution is to clean house at the upper levels of the agency and bring in people who are specifically qualified to direct this type of agency. I'm sick of CTA management using the excuse that they can't run a world class transit system because they don't receive funding at the same level of better systems around the world. A main component of their job is to fight EFFECTIVELY to gain the resources they need. That means that their abilities must be respected by those whom they are asking for support. They have to engender trust that they will use resources wisely and inspire a motivated workforce to execute their jobs at a high level everyday. Do Kruesi, the Board or the rest of upper level management have these qualities? Based on the evidence so far, it sure doesn't seem so. Therefore, get 'em out. Recruit proven performers with backgrounds in transportation and urban planning to take charge and develop a plan that will integrate practical, reliable, user friendly transit into the core of everyday life in the region. We don't need more hobbyist political hacks. Anything less will eventually put tangible restrictions on the overall health of the Chicago area.

I got on the 87th stop at about 6:15 this morning. There was a delay of about 5 minutes overall related to the Harrison troubles. No announcement was made about the delay but our train was never stopped for more than 45 seconds at a time.

It wasn't too bad considering. I was naive enough to wait for the Peterson bus (I live just off Ridge & Glenwood) for a little while, but as the crowd grew, it was obvious walking was the way to go. (And no bus passed me or arrived at the station while I waited for a train.) The CTA Alerts kept me reasonably up-to-date on the issues, and the platform announcements were actually clear, audible, and informative. I passed up the very crowded first SB Red Line train to arrive and got a seat on the next one; it didn't get too crowded until Wilson. As we approached Belmont a very empty Brown Line train was alongside us, and I thought, "If I were one of these people standing, I'd take that into the Loop." But no need; as I say, we quickly learned we'd be taking the normal route. I got to my desk 50 minutes late, but enough of my coworkers (and my manager) were equally affected for it not to be an issue. One coworker said she skipped the Red Line for the 147 bus and got here just a few minutes late, but I'd figured LSD was going to be a parking lot. Maybe next time.

You live 2 or 3 blocks from the Bryn Mawr Red Line stop and you considered taking the Peterson bus?

I was on a SB red line train this morning. We made it to Grand. When the doors opened there was 1) a LOT of smoke and 2) CTA employees yelling at each other about it.

The smoke smelled like it came from something electrical (excuse me if my smoke savvy is not up to date). We were told to evacuate the train. Some people got back on when we heard the train would go downtown. We were told to get off a second time. Still lots of smoke. Some people remained on the train.

Today is the 51st Anniversary of the Boycott in Alabama that sparked the civil rights movement. The Neighborhood Capital Budget Group's Campaign for Better Transit and Metro Seniors In Action will assemble to reflect on this important public transit history as we push for transportation reforms. The ceremony will occur at 3 p.m today at King College Prep HS - 4445 South Drexel Blvd. We will release our 2007 Transit Justice Platform calling for equal access for all; affordable transit and transparency through accountability. The Keynote Speaker will be Rev. Dr. Calvin Morris with the Community Renewal Society. We urge the public to show their dignity by respecting priority seating on public buses and trains.

This morning was another extreme example of why the CTA needs a EXTREME clout-cleaning overhaul.

The first incident at Harrison this morning, was a fire apparently caused by a metal panel falling on to the southbound third rail, rail control acted quickly to reroute, problem was isolated and "repaired" service was resumed...

Not much later, A CA contacted the control center reporting "explosions and fire on the northbound 3rd rail" Rail control acted even quicker and this time instead of cutting power first ordered all trains to berth at the nearest station, and get all passengers off. Power was cut after all trains were berthed. "Over the Top" order was given again, some trains rerouted. Problem quickly "fixed" and normal service resumed.

They are getting better at dealing with these situations, and that is only because they are occurring at least once a week now (either fires or cracked rail)

If these incidents keep at current pace and maintenance continuously differed, no doubt there will be casualties, God forbid a security guard is on duty when one of these "spontaneous" fires occur.

The people need to protest this playing with fire, Come on $200 million on a station downtown when you have fires and broken rails every week. GET A GRIP FRANK, CAROLE, AND THE WHOLE BOARD.

Also, very disturbing was that one of the supervisors suggested allowing trains to travel through all the smoke and whatever fire was at Harrison, just not making stops there and not having the air comfort turned on. Thankfully Rail control did not put anybody at risk for smoke inhalation, which would have happened considering there are gaps in the doors and some non-insulated windows

Trevor-Agree with you about the need for a "house-cleaning" at the top of CTA Management.

But seriously, were the trains running today? Albeit with some mishaps, miscommunications, and mayhem. But they were running. And they always are. They may be slow but they are always running. No matter how bad the weather is, you can take the train/bus.

I didn't particularly enjoy my morning commute this morning either, but I can't think of another way I could get to the Loop for $2.00. Can anyone else?

Well, I just got in after an agonizing Blue Line delay. I got to Washington just before noon, and I noticed after a few minutes that I was only seeing southbound trains.

Well, turns out that there was a problem and no trains were running north. They *tried* to make announcements, but I'd like to add another reason why there shouldn't be station performers: they block out the crappy sound system in the stations. We were all talking on the platform saying the same thing, "What was that announcement? I couldn't hear what they said. What's happening?"

Seriously, can we get a few acoustics people down there? Anyway, after 3 words from people upstairs at the gates that trains would be there in "5 minutes," they showed up about 20 minutes after. Whee. Anyone know what caused THIS delay? Was it related to the Red Line probs earlier?

they had a train with a defect on the blue line, causing problems, totally separate issue.

It was kinda weird today that LSD traffic was flowing smoother than days with good weather. I just assumed more people decided to take public transit than try to drive in that stuff on their own?

Not sure why you have that reaction, Mike. Why wouldn't I look for a bus when ice pellets are being whipped at me by a stiff breeze and it's easy to predict that the sidewalks on the walk (don't know where you get 2-3 blocks; it's over a half-mile) would be almost completely unshoveled? (As indeed they were. What's usually a 7-minute walk for me was nearly 20. But still faster than continuing to wait for the bus, as I say.)

Cool Hand - Well, like I said, that's why I felt this morning's commute was so frustrating. I could see much greater effort on the part of CTA personnel than I've seen in the past, particularly on the communication end. Considering what happened, I only arrived at work 20 or 25 minutes later than I usually do. The reaction to this mess should have been considered a success for the CTA.

However, as Stephen mentions in his post, this kind of thing has happened so often lately that CTA personnel have had plenty of practice at dealing with this sort of service disruption. My real disappointment stems from the fact that management has bungled strategic planning at the agency so badly that these disruptions are recurring, and will continue to occur, on a predictable basis. They have failed at the most fundamental tasks that are required of their positions, setting Chicago up for a long dark winter of service interruptions. Even if they always respond efficiently, the point is that they shouldn't have much to respond to in the first place.

For this reason, I can't praise the agency for solving individual interruptions that are caused by their failure to address systemic problems. It would be like praising the baker for finding and discarding a loaf of bread tainted with rat poison, even though he hasn't bothered to move the carton of arsenic away from the carton of sugar.

Some smoky pics from the Grand stop, just before getting the heck out

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tfish/

Although I'm tempted to jump on the CTA rant bandwagon (they deserve it, for sure) I think I'll instead relate a Metra story that makes the CTA actually look good:

I started taking the Metra home recently, to the Ravenswood stop, because the Brown Line has become sooooo slow in the evenings. The walk is about twice as long at full 25 minutes, but I get home faster.

Last night, the 6pm Metra train was packed - like I had never seen it before. I mean, it was packed as much as a Blue or Red line train can get packed, which is very unusual for Metra. Holiday travel, I guess. Anyway, 6:02 comes and we're not moving. The conductor announces that were "waiting for an engineer". Ha! Imagine that on the CTA. Then about 10 minutes later, "the engineer called in sick and we're waiting for a new one and I have no idea when we'll get one". Amazing! The other conductors knew absolutley nothing. The Kenilworth, Winetka and Lake Forest types started to freak, pestering conductors about that train vs the next one vs the express, etc etc, expecting someone to actually know something. I guess they're used to getting answers. Thanks to the CTA, however, I knew better and was perfectly prepared for the total lack of communication and the generally unhelpful employees. Thanks CTA! Thanks Carole! There was another train scheduled for 6:35 that had yet to back into the station, with passengers for the packed train and that train all lining up. I decided to avoid the Dr. Zhivago re-enactment and instead headed for the good ol'reliable Brown Line and got home in one piece. Thanks CTA!

I actually had a relatively good CTA experience this morning... Brown Line from Diversey to Fullerton. Right when I got off at Fullerton there was a clear, concise announcement that the Red Line was delayed and would be running above ground due to a fire at Chicago/State (my stop actually). A bunch of us jumped back on the brown and headed downtown. That was maybe the first time the announcement came in a timely fashion and enabled us to still get to work (close to) on time. The 66 bus on the other hand...

Dear bus driver: In inclement weather, maybe you should keep your eyes on the road and not flirt and chat with your galpal. Thanks.

Let's just assume that CTA was the most competently managed transit agency in the world. It's not (and yall don't even know), but bear with me. And let's assume that we still had an entire freakin governors term without passing a state construction bill. And let's assume that we still had a wacked-out racist financial scheme that pumped our money from the heart of the city to the far out 'burbs.

Here's what would have happened today --
1. it still would have snowed.
2. You still would have had equipment break down. (And it wasn't even the weather).
3. You still would have had crappy announcements every place the speakers are old.
4. However, you would have seen well-trained, ambitious employees shoveling and communicating their asses off, telling us what they knew and what they didn't know.
5. Some of you still would have refused to listen to those CTA personnel and stayed on the smoke-filled train, delaying countless people behind you.
6. Some of you would still blame CTA for #1, #2, and #3.
7. State officials -- even those who should be the biggest champions of transit -- would still do jack about funding for #1,2 & 3 because of #6.

With as much complaining as happens on pretty much a daily basis around here (or any place the CTA is mentioned)...I don't think you guys deserve what you have in any way. Move somewhere else and find out what it's like. I'm sure you'll fare better in Buffalo, NY, or Columbia, South Carolina, or wherever you go for one random weekend and find that the most popular bus routes run once an hour, as scheduled (making them obviously superior to the CTA, of course, who only has to run routes every hour as well, I think).

I can't believe the amount of complaining that goes on, day in and day out, about the fantastic rail and bus system your city happened to be blessed with 100 years ago, that is still perfectly functional and operating. I don't think some of you have any idea what it's like in most other cities. Take a picture of a new Washington DC subway, as was on the sidebar lately, and show what the CTA tunnels "could" look like. So what? You're lucky you had the infrastructure you have put in place 100 years ago, or else things would be 10 times worse at a minimum. But, nope, a car malfunction here, "waiting for signals" there...it's obviously a disaster that demands an imminent response!

Joe Blow,

The websits called CTA TATTLER, not CTA IS AWESOME. If you want a positive spin on the many CTA meltdowns try the CTA public relations page.

Joe Blow,

I think you're missing our point. A lot of our frustration deals with your point: that we do have a pretty good transportation system, however because it is so under-funded and/or mismanaged that it doesn't live up to how great it easily could and should be.

People in any state would never put up with an interstate so full of potholes that you had to go 30 mph on half of it, so why should we have to shut up and put up with it on the cta?

Yes, we have a rail and bus system, but its mere presence doesn not make it fantastic

Morse and Jarvis shut down? Now where am I gonna go when I gotta go?

Just reread: Only NB Morse and Jarvis closed. I am so "relieved".

I'm not missing the point -- most of you guys are freakin spoiled. You obviously don't appreciate what you have. You'd rather complain constantly and pretend like every other city somehow does it better. It's ridiculous..

Please, DON'T feel the Joe Blow Troll. No matter what we say, he's going to be on his low-horse, so let the troll be.

WE ALL KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CHICAGO TRIFLING AUTHORITY, ER I MEAN CTA.

I'm not a troll, I'm just somebody that hasn't grown so accustomed to the level of service you guys complain about every day that it's no longer good enough for me. You're very lucky to have it, yet you don't seem to acknowledge that at all..

Joe Blow, you sound a lot like those Bush supporters that called anyone prostesting the war a "complainer and "unpatriotic." Complaining and public outcry keeps bloated, corrupt, inefficient governments/agencies in place. It's virtually the only check and balance left in IL politics. JOIN THE REVOLUTION.