CTA Tattler

It would also be a neat trick for a blind person unfamiliar with the 36 Broadway bus route to get off the bus at the Bryn Mawr/Ridge stop, as that's the only stop on the route for which the announcement system simply "dings" and doesn't say the stop name. Just a "ding." Not that it's a major intersection, or transfer point, or anything.

I've heard one driver, though, go out of his way to inform us, though, at that stop: "This is Bryn Mawr Avenue and Ridge Avenue! Transfer to the 84 Peterson route over there on the left side of Walgreens! Watch your step, and have a nice day!"

Neat.

Whoops!

That first step is a duesy!

The "doors open on..." indications are incorrect for the Red at Fullerton and the Brown at Belmont. It's just the way it's going to be.

Also, on the 49 Western bus, the announcement system only dings at Diversey/Elston and possibly at Belmont/Clybourn as well. Would it have been so hard to record these intersections also?

I always wondered why we have the announcement, "In the direction of travel, doors open on the ___ at ___." I hadn't thought of blind people!

Hat tip to the Tattler for teaching me about the different lights on the front of various trains. It really makes it easier to spot what's coming next on the northbound tracks also known as "not quite hell".

Once upon a time, before recorded announcements and digital signs (think 1986)riders could ask the bus driver to "call" a stop. And they would! I'd hope they would do that still if someone asked.

The recordings on the buses are fairly simple to change as needed, but the system for the trains uses much older technology, and it's a huge deal to make even the most minor change.

I've taken a few bus rides recently when the announcement messages weren't working and I was in an unfamiliar area. I sat near the front and asked the driver to call out a block before my stop. They've always done it.

The Orange Line used to announce "Libary, State and Van Buren" without the r sound.