CTA Tattler

Status of new rail cars and three-tracking: More of your questions answered

This week I finally got answers to the bulk of the questions you had for Ron Huberman and the CTA, that we didn't a chance to ask at the second Coffee with Ron. Today and over the next couple of week I will print those questions and answers.

What is the status of delivery of new rail cars? When and what lines first?

The delivery of 10 prototype rail cars is expected in 2009. Following testing and evaluation of the prototypes, delivery of the base order and option one is scheduled to begin in 2010 through 2012. Once the cars have been tested and evaluated on out-of-service trains they will begin to be tested on each rail line in the system.

Why go to SRO cars soon when three-track will be ending and more capacity will be added. Will we still need the Max Capacity cars after three tracking ends?

Ridership is up throughout the system, and the CTA is continuously developing initiatives to accommodate this increase as well as constantly seeking ways to improve service and the efficiency of travel for its customers. Throughout the reduced seat rail car pilot, CTA will continue to evaluate the effectiveness and need for the cars during the morning and evening rush.

Once three-track is over, will the trains return to their regular intervals, and will we see an increase in the number of runs?

CTA is currently analyzing the system to determine the frequency and route trains will run following the completion of three-track work.

Presidential politics mesh with the shell game on the Red Line

A friend shares this Tattler Tale from a Saturday night on the southbound Red Line.

At Loyola, a large black man boards the train, urging riders to vote for Barack Obama for president: "We need some collard greens in the White House!" (Yes, folks, this time I think you may agree that identifying his race here is important.)

He walks up to people and unabashedly asks them who they plan to vote for. Usually he hears the name of the man he supports and shares a high five or fist bump.

Then at Wilson, the shell game crew boards the train, and opens for business. First, the accomplice wins $20, then the operator asks for other players. Our Obama lobbyist tries to play, but the operator refuses, saying he doesn't have any money.

As he tries to recruit other players, the Obama supporter warns: "Aw, c'mon man! I've been doing this shit since 5th grade, I know what you're pullin'. Just don't pull that shit on the Obama supporters."

Meanwhile, my friend is surreptitiously calling the police. He tells them where they are on the Red Line, and what car he is in. The dispatcher thanks him and said she would inform the transit unit.

Back to our friendly Obama supporter: He keeps moving throughout the car. "Excuse me. I have to harass some more Republicans here."

We pull into the Addison, and the shell game is going strong, about to claim its first victim. The doors begin to close, when a big burly cop muscles the door open. He swoops in on the game operator, yanks him out of his seat, and hussles him off the train. His partner grabs the game board and other accoutrements and off they go.

New Web site, emergency alerts key to CTA communications revamp

Last week, we discussed the rollout of CTA's Planned Service Alerts, an email that will outline scheduled construction projects that will affect rail service or reroute buses.

That's the easy part, dealing with planned service outages. But the CTA has had the biggest problems with unplanned outages, such as power outages or track fires that shut service.

At CTA Tattler's September Coffee with Ron, President Huberman admitted that signing people up for alerts is easy. "The challenge is at the control center to get the information out to riders. We have to translate our jargon to useable information."

Huberman's plan to do that is to dispatch two teams of employees by van with all the latest info to strategic locations anytime a major, unplanned service outage occurs. Those teams will help get out the latest information via the new Emergency Alerts program, set to launch in early 2009.

The CTA also will count on a revamped Web site to communicate with riders during emergencies. At our coffee last month, we got a preview of the new site, set to launch before the end of the year. It has a crisp, clean look, and a nicely organized home page with what appears to be a user interface with great utility. There will be links with real-time info on troubled train and bus lines, similar to what we now see at Boston's MBTA site.

These are great ideas. We'll be anxious to see how the CTA does at executing them.

Catching up with CTA news: Another I-Go partnership

The CTA already has a partnership to allow I-Go car users to pick up cars at CTA locations. Now the two companies are teaming up to offer a smart card -- a special Chicago Card Plus -- that will allow customers to take the CTA to an I-Go location and then unlock their rental car and take off on errands.

CTA President Ron Huberman announced this partnership last week:

With board approval, CTA and I-GO will commence development of the joint smart card. The program is expected to be launched by the end of the year. Individuals who wish to register for a Chicago Card Plus and are eligible for an I-GO membership will have the opportunity to participate in the program. Customers who register online for both services will receive a single card that can be used to ride the CTA and unlock their reserved I-GO vehicle.

Safety and evacuation video. Part of the announcement of enhanced rider commmunication this week was the release of new views that explain train emergency and evacuation instructions and procedures.

View them here.

Weekend work resumes on Blue Line, Loop elevated. After a week's reprieve for the Chicago Marathon, weekend work is back. Read here about reroutes of the Loop elevated trains, and work on the Blue Line that will suspend service between Belmont and Irving Park.

CTA gift ideas that didn't make the final list

You probably heard that the CTA has finally reopened its gift shop, after jobbing out the site to New York-based Image Exchange.

Our friends over at the Beachwood Reporter recently came up with this list of gifts that perhaps you didn't see at the site:

1. Maps: Never used.
2. Authentic fake time sheets.
3.  Surplus Conductor to English translators.
4.  "I spent two hours going through this slow zone and all I got was this crummy T-shirt."
5.  Evacuation safety manuals: Like new!
6.  Surplus Frank Kruesi bobblehead dolls.
7.  Those extras 30 minutes per day CTA has been stealing from you while you wait for their buses and trains to arrive.
8.  Screws leftover from the last set of repairs that we couldn't figure where to put back in.
9.  "My other train is a bus" bumper stickers.

And there are more here.

CTA launches revised "Comprehensive Customer Communications Plan"

At CTA Tattler's last Coffee with Ron Huberman, the Prez promised to make improved rider communication a top priority in 2009. Tuesday's announcement was a good step in that direction.

Huberman formally announced two new initiatives he told us about at the coffee -- the Planned Service Alerts and the Emergency Alerts service.

The Planned Service Alerts is an email service with info about just that -- planned service changes, such as weekend slow zone work, or bus route changes because of the Chicago Marathon. You can sign up now here.

The Emergency Alerts program aims to improve communications during emergencies. Something much needed."Customers will be able to sign up to receive e-mailed alerts regarding major delays or disruptions to service along their selected routes," says the release.

Other communications enhancements and features will debut next year. More on those later.

But after a month with no new routes on Bus Tracker, the CTA announced Tuesday that eight more buses will be added on Monday, Oct. 20:

• #6 Jackson Park Express
• #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick
• #69 Cumberland/East River
• #79 79th
• #87 87th
• #145 Wilson/Michigan Express
• #151 Sheridan
• #157 Streeterville

Let the whining begin about the Clark Street bus.

Another question to Ron answered: RTA studying three areas for potential new stations

Here's another question for Ron Huberman that Jon submitted. You may recall I asked you for questions. I hope to get them all answered eventually. Patience!

Q: With the growth in the South Loop area are there any plans to open any new rail stations? Specifically a green line stop in the 1400-1800 range? 

CTA's reply: The CTA constantly analyzes its service and looks for the most effective ways to serve communities. Opening new stations requires a large capital investment, which is not available at this time.  However, the RTA has provided funding for the City of Chicago Planning Department, in conjunction with the CTA, to study the potential for three new stations.  Two of locations for consideration are on the Green Line.  See the RTA release.

From the release:

Berwyn Red Line Station: The study area for this station area will be bounded by Winthrop Avenue on the east, Balmoral Avenue on the North, Foster Avenue on the south, and Magnolia Avenue on the west. Although largely developed, several big box and auto oriented retail facilities may be undergoing redevelopment in this area.

Potential Green Line Station at 18th Street or Cermak: This study would identify potential uses and design in areas adjacent to the Green Line at 18th Street and Cermak Road and address development on these key east-west corridors in the south loop. Through the study we will chose to focus on one of the alternatives over the other and develop a more refined corridor plan for the appropriate corridor.

43rd Street Green Line Station: The study area for this station area will be bounded by 42nd Street on the north, 44th Street on the south, King Drive on the east, and Prairie Avenue on the west. The development patterns in this area are relatively inconsistent and there is potential for strategic infill development to act as a catalyst for neighborhood enhancement.

Analysis of CTA's 2009 budget: big job cuts, hike in fuel bill

Last week I published an analysis of the fare increase proposed for 2009. Today we'll look at the overall budget.

One detail of the budget that was lost in the noise of the fare increase is the elimination of almost 400 operations, administrative and support staff jobs at the CTA.  Of those, there will be 210 fewer administrative jobs, and 186 fewer maintenance and facilities operations positions. This total of 396 includes the 80 jobs that are being cut this year.

Also, the CTA is cutting 236 positions that were funded by capital projects. This job reduction is primarily composed of track flagmen, customer assistants and towermen associated with construction projects. With decreased construction activity in 2009, fewer of those jobs will be needed.

Expense for labor accounts for nearly $1 billion -- $890.6 million to be exact -- or 67% of the over operating budget of $1.324 billion.

Diesel fuel expense will $102.8 million, or a whopping $54.4 more more than the CTA's original 2008 budget. The cost of electric power for revenue generating equipment is $40 million, or 13% higher than the 2008 amended budget.

Ridership. The CTA is projection a tiny decline in ridership of 0.12%, to 517.8 million rides. The CTA expects bus ridership to drop by 6.6% to 309.5 million. But that will be offset by an expected 8.1% increase in rail ridership to 208.3 million.

Revenue. System-generated revenue is expected to increase 9.7% in 2009, primarily due to the proposed fare increase. The CTA reports: "If CTA’s fares were adjusted for inflation as tracked through the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the last 10 years, CTA current pass fares cost less than they did 10 years ago."

The CTA is required by state statute to cover at least 50% of its costs with system-generated revenue. The 2009 budget estimates the CTA will recover about 52.7& of its expenditures with revenues -- about $601.1 million.

The CTA expects to get $723.3 million from public funding. Of that, $655.8 million will come from the state and RTA via the sales tax. The remaining $67.5 million will come from Chicago's  real estate transfer tax.

Budget hearing. A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held at 6 pm Wednesday, Oct. 29, at CTA headquarters, 567 W. Lake St. Written comments can be submitted to Gregory Longhini, assistant secretary of the board, CTA, PO Box 7567, Chicago, IL 60680-7567. Email comments can be sent to ctaboard@transitchicago.com. The deadline for comments is Nov. 5.

The CTA must submit the budget by Nov. 15 to the RTA.

Analysis of proposed CTA fare hike and its effects on riders

Unless you were hiding under a rock for the last 24 hours and just came up for air at this Internet address, you heard about the proposed CTA fare increase. Key provisions:

• Bus fare increases from $1.75 to $2, whether you use a Chicago Card or transit card.
• Train fare increases from $1.75 to $2.25 for Chicago Card users, and from $2 to $2.25 for transit card users.
• The 10% loading bonus for $20 put on a Chicago Card is eliminated.
• Transfer price remains at 25 cents.
• A monthly pass increases from $75 to $90.
• No service cuts.

And remember, this is "proposed." Da Mayor has already said: "We're looking at it. . . . There's no OK on this. I don't know where you are getting that. . . . They can announce it. Like you announce things and then you negotiate. . . . We're looking at it very carefully with the economy and other issues."

So what does it all mean for the average commuter? For the sake of argument, let's define the average commuter as a person who takes only one rail line to work, with no transfers.

Right now, if that person is using a Chicago Card, he gets about 12.6 rides per $20 ($22 with the loading bonus divided by $1.75 per ride).

After the increase, that person will get about 8.9 rides per $20 (no bonus, so $20 divided by $2.25). That's a 30% decrease in ride purchasing power.

Right now, if that person is using a transit card, he gets 10 rides per $20 ($20 divided by $2 per ride).

After the increase, that person will get about 8.9 rides per $20 ($20 divided by $2.25). That's just an 11% decrease in ride purchasing power, compared to 30% for the Chicago Card user.

Now, let's parse the price for a monthly pass user, whether with a transit card or Chicago Card. For the sake of argument, let's say the average month has 21 work days, and again this person takes only one round trip on a train per day, with no transfers.

Under the current $1.75 fare, 21 round trips would cost that person $73.50 per month, so unless he made at least one more trip, he would be giving the CTA $1.50 each month in free money with the current $75 price of the monthly pass.

But under the proposed $2.25 fare, 21 round trips would cost $94.50, so he'd be getting $4.50 worth of "free rides" from the CTA at the new $90 monthly price. And if that person is in the 25% tax bracket and using the Commuter Transit Benefit, he's buying the pass with pre-tax dollars and saving even more. Of course, that's true even if you're not using the monthly pass.

But let's get back to those not using the monthly pass. MK made some good points in asking why Huberman is trying to discourage the use of the Chicago Card. He says the CTA has "completely dismantled any incentives for people to use a Chicago Card. Completely."

But I disagree. One of the key reasons for me to use it is to protect against losing the card, and to not have to worry about ever filling up the card at a machine. I use the monthly pass and get the cost taken out of my paycheck monthly via the Commuter Benefit. But even if I didn't have that benefit, I would have the CTA take it from my credit card account.

And personally, I think it's the right thing to do to increase fares more for those who use the Chicago Card than for those who don't. I know people like Martha may disagree with me, but I just think it's fair.

Bottom line, I'm OK with the increase, and I'll get even more rides out of my monthly pass, even though it will cost me $15 more. But that $15 would buy me about four gallons of gas, which would tak eme about 80 miles at 20 miles per gallon. For me that's the cost of driving to work four days. Yep, I'm OK with it.

Safety on the CTA: Good news on trains, bad news on buses

Safety on the CTA certainly has been in the news lately, with the shooting death of a teenager on a CTA bus Sunday. In that thread, Michael told of his mugging on the Red Line. And I've heard a harrowing story from a pregnant woman who was the victim of an attempted robbery on the Green Line. More on that later.

So I went to look up some CTA crime stats on Everyblock.com. I wanted to compare 2007 year-to-date with 2008 year-to-date, but unfortunately, that site only goes back to July or so of 2007.

But I did compare July, August and September of last year to the same months this year. Here's what I found.

First, the site tracks crime on CTA buses, trains, platforms and garages/other properties. Then you can use the custom filter to check by date. It's a cool tool created by Adrian Holovaty and his crew.

In those summer months of 2007, there were a total of 1,615 crimes in all those locations. In 2008, there were 1,518, for a decrease of about 6% this year. However, this year there was a 25% increase in crimes on CTA buses during those summer months -- 282 in 2007 vs. 352 in 2008. Not good.  But crimes on trains and platforms dropped about 15% -- from 1,144 in 2007 to 970 in 2008.

(Disclaimer: Three months is a short time frame for comparison. But it does cover three summer months, when more people are out and crime may be higher.)

Bottom line: Be careful. Always be aware of your surroundings. If you see crime on the CTA, report it to the police and to the CTA, with a good description of the offender. Help out fellow passengers, without putting yourself in harm's way.

Click on the continuation to read about Anna story about a theft ring working the Green Line.