CTA Tattler

You're right. For everything that is or was wrong, they got a lot of stuff right this year. The Blue Line slow zones rehab alone has dramatically benefited me. (I actually wrote CTA Customer Service a little thank-you note for it. I figure they probably don't get very many of those.) I was initially skeptical of Ron Huberman's appointment (lowered expectations after the years previous), but he's really led some fantastic work this year.

Can I put in a shout-out to the Red Line motorman who likes to give riders a little amusing parting shot on their way out the doors, like 'Go get 'em, Tiger!'? That tickles me pink. Love the little bit of personality showing through the boring old "The doors open on the left at Jackson."

I boarded my first super-cleaned Blue Line train -- brilliantly shiny floor and all -- yesterday on my way to work. Glad to see that's continuing on! It really does make a huge difference.

Also, on a purely selfish note... I'm grateful the system still runs, so I don't have to drive to work!!!!!

Umm, yes I can get to work on time most days, but let's be honest here. The El is still an embarrassment. Look at the crumbling stations in and near the loop. That's what tourists look at. And I don't know where these clean cars are. Mine are still littered with, well, litter. Oh and a permanent or even semi-permanent funding solution? We still don't f-ing have it. Sigh.

And, on this Thanksgiving eve, I happily eat my crow.

I felt that Huberman wouldn't be qualified, that we needed to go outside of Chicago, that he was just another hack.

I was wrong. Could an outsider have been better? Possibly. But Ronny's doing a bang-up job, and I happily eat my crow.

I love the clean trains and I think it's wonderful to smell disinfectant rather than urine most mornings. In fact, a couple weeks ago, I actually scolded two sixteen-year olds who were hocking up phlegm and spitting it on the floor of the trains. I told them that someone has to clean that up and that the El is not their trashcan. Why do people want to make the El dirtier than it already can be with just daily use? They seemed shocked and after calling me various names, they did not continue to spit. Smart kids.

Am I alone in having the nagging feeling that train frequency has been cut this week? They did it just before the '04 Doomsday (can we got t-shirts that say "I survived the 2004 CTA Doomsday Scenario"?) too, and then claimed that they had found money to not have to proceed with the cuts.

They can clean the trains and buses as much as they like, but it's still the riders that mess it up. I was heading home on the #3 and saw that the freshly cleaned floor was now covered in sunflower seed shells, empty dorito bags, and (seriously!) an empty 40 of Colt 45.

I haven't been riding the el much lately (and won't be, since the closest station closes for construction next week), but I can't say these improvements apply to the bus. At least once every other week, my bus breaks down. I was running an errand a few weeks ago and passed three broken-down buses en route. I'm trying to get a job in Evanston largely because I can't deal with the commute downtown anymore.

Notice that this year they actually waxed the floors in the 'el cars in the fall -- meaning it will be much easier to get all the winter grit off them. Also, for the first time, I see intermittent evidence of deep-cleaning of upholstery.

I had very high hopes when Huberman was appointed (was stunned that he accepted), and I'm pleased to see those hopes are not being dashed. I really think he was the best possible appointment.

Biggest beef -- still nothing doing on the flat spots on the wheels on most 'el cars. It makes the trains terribly noisy and it can't be good for the elevated structures to have the equivalent of jackhammer action every time a train goes past. Machine those wheels already!

What I'm thankful for: the transit system in Chicago actually exists. There's not *near* enough thanks given around here just for that..