CTA Tattler

The missing girl was found, she had run off to Indianapolis.

As for fares, it's time for the CTA & Pace to start charging fares the same way London does. In London, the fare is usually double for those paying cash as opposed to those using the Oyster Card [smart card]
A single cash fare on the Underground is £4, about $8, while same fare with the Oyster Card is either £2 during rush hours or £1.5 at other times.

The bus trips would be a somewhat faster & there would be a reduced cost for maintenance of fareboxes with smart cards.

This is long overdue as we are almost always last in technology here.
Washington DC even has people pay for the parking lots with smart cards.

It would be very interesting to see the results of a study on the seniors ride free program. Just how many on it could afford the regular or even reduced fare ? Maybe not so much on the CTA but I'm sure on Metra there are plenty that could easily afford regular fares. I make a bet for 2010 we get additional fare increases and service cuts. Lots of baby boomers are going to be eligible for the free program over the next few years and we are all going to pay big time for it.

My only real beef with the impending fare increases is that rail riders will be paying more than bus riders.

The CTA should be encouraging less bus travel for both environmental and economic reasons. Buses are inefficient, environmentally unfriendly, have higher maintenance and operational costs, and are subject to the same traffic nightmares and potholed streets as drivers.

I understand that the limitations of the rail network are such that bus travel is the only transit option for many, especially on the south side. Yet penalizing rail riders for utilizing a better means of transport seems counterintuitive.

Utilize is a bullshit word. What is this, a poweerpoint presentation?

Use.

And it is a bullshit word because...?

I agree. Increase the costs of cash fares and make it easier to get a card. It's easy now, but it could be made easier (like in London for example). Then after they do that, fix the buses so they can allow a person using the card to pay at the same time that a cash fare is received. I also agree that buses should cost the same as rail. It is cheaper for the CTA to run a train than a bus. However, there are more capital costs for a train, so it evens out.

Better yet, can we just get credit card companies to join the twenty-first century, like they have in just about every other country, and stop issuing cards that aren't smart cards? That way, we only need one card, whether it's for buying textbooks, paying for parking, scoring that sweet daily special at Jewel, or riding a bus or El line.

Any word that is only used in PowerPoint, business letters, marketing materials and press releases is a bullshit word. People only use it to make themselves sound smarter or more important than they are.

It's easy to tell the difference. Ask yourself, "Would Bill Lumbergh from Office Space use this word? Would Peter Gibbons?"

If the answer is Yes/No, it's a bullshit word. If the answer is No/Yes, it's ok for you to use.

Never use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice.

As an illustration, here are some other bullshit words. Hopefully, you will understand what I mean:

Optimize
Leverage
Maximize
Obtain
Value-added

To add to the BS list:

Synergy
Market-driven
Going forward or forwardgoing

Don't forget "proactive."

I have no beef with proactive. There aren't many other words that quickly, cleanly and easily convey the idea of taking care of a situation before it turns into a clusterfuck.

The problem with "proactive" is that it's meant to be the opposite of "reactive" -- but we already have a word for that, namely, "active."

Other expressions I loathe:

"let's noodle on that"
"circle back"
"bio-break" (shudder)

My new favorite word, used to describe Washington, C.C.: "fucknutsville" (thank you Rahm Emanuel)

I hate the term, "learning lesson." It seems redundant to me, but I have seen it used (utilized) a number of times.

"I hate the term, "learning lesson." It seems redundant to me, but I have seen it used (utilized) a number of times."

Yeah, funny thing about redundancy...

I don't disagree with you on the fact there are (bullshit) words, but they generally are relegated to marketing terms or things you hear a boss say. Not always, usually.

These are words you hate, not bullshit words. You obviously have a dislike for someone who has said it in the past and you associate that with anyone who says it now as well as the word.

In fact, while we are at it, let's just eliminate synonyms altogether. If everyone used the same words all the time, our language would be quite boring.

And this thread is now officially a waste of time...

Let's bring this back around (a fabulous meetingspeak phrase) to the CTA. How do we feel about the use of the word "alight" in many of the Customer Alerts about boarding changes? It's a perfectly good word, but potentially confusing since it's not commonly used.

Chris: No, these aren't just words I hate. These are words that people use when they want to appear as though they are saying something important, but really aren't. That sounds like bs to me.

For instance, "Utilize" brings no added layer of meaning to a sentence. A writer or speaker only says "Utilize" to puff themselves up. As Rusty said, don't use these long words when a shorter one will do. Unless the longer word actually changes the sentence in a meaningful way, it has no purpose and is, therefore, bullshit.

Thank you. Now you can all go back to talking about the CTA.
:)

You know what's totally insane? The fare hike will make it cheaper for me to take the Metra downtown than the El (I live near the Ravenswood stop). Which is, you know, 15 minutes instead of like 40. Gosh, I know what I'll be doing from now on.

See you later, brown line!

Just saw the news on the trib folks, the fare hike was not as much as they announced at the public hearings...

Starting in January, a transit card ride will go to $2.00 from $1.75; a rail transit card to $2.25 from $2; a rail Chicago Card to $2.25 from $1.75; and a bus Chicago Card to $2 from $1.75.

Some CTA passes will be increased 15 percent, rather than the proposed 20 percent. A 30-day pass will go to $86; a 7-day pass to $23; a 3-day pass to $14; and a 1-day pass to $5.75.

KevinB

How about "loiter", "tamper" and "deface" as examples of terms seemingly used only by the authorities? And they all seem to happen on the CTA!

To KevinB and others: The individual fare increases were approved as originally proposed. The changes were made only in the passes.

More on this Friday....

Kevin

Thanks KevinB

Does this mean with the influx of new funds I can expect on time trains and buses, cleanliness, and a full system working bus tracker (rolllllllling my eyes)

I for one welcome our overpriced 3rd world country transit system!

Won't matter anyway. Daley just announced mass layoffs.

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/daley.city.layoffs.2.863161.html

"As an illustration, here are some other bullshit words. Hopefully, you will understand what I mean:

Optimize
Leverage
Maximize
Obtain
Value-added"

I'm sorry, but we can use whatever words we want...who the fark cares?! If you can't handle "big people" words, maybe it's time for some more schooling. I spent 8 years in college and I'm $55k in debt, I'll use 'optimize' whenever I want.

On point...I definitely agree that charging rail riders more than bus riders is lame. BUT, as long as service doesn't get cut I'm fine with it.

"I for one welcome our overpriced 3rd world country transit system!"

haha...first time i've seen that used on the tattler.

J: Since I'm a copyeditor and paid to tell people what words to use, I think I have a right to tell you that optimize is a stupid word.

What the hell did you spend 8 years in college for? I hope that included some grad school, for $55K. Otherwise, you got ripped off. Did you get a degree in ancient Latvian folk music?

"It would be very interesting to see the results of a study on the seniors ride free program. Just how many on it could afford the regular or even reduced fare ? Maybe not so much on the CTA but I'm sure on Metra there are plenty that could easily afford regular fares."

Ed,

I don't know what your definition of "afford" is. Maybe it is just very different from mine. But every (or at least nearly every) CTA, Metra, and Pace senior can afford both the reduced fare and the regular fare. It doesn't matter how poor or rich they are. For even the most low income people, the reduced fare of less than $2 for two rides a day doesn't make any significant dent in their budget. That is less than the cost of one meal, a carton of milk, and about the same as one beer. I don't know what world you live in. Even if they payed the regular fares it still would only be a mimiscule portion of anybody's daily spending.

The CTA board and Ron Huberman obviously are either living in la-la land or they don't care the slightest that the system operates efficiently. We will now see around a 75 to 80% drop in the use of the Chicago Card (and that would be if you include the Chicago Card Plus in the figure) over the next three or four years. More money will need to be spent processing the more inefficiant transit cards and buses spend close to double the amount of time it does now picking passenger up. This means more fuel costs and lost ridership, which will cause further fare increases in the future. The media, of course, has completely failed to even discuss this issue. It is pretty sad. I do hope that this whole thing results from ignorance rather than not caring about the way the system operates. If that is the case, at least there is a good chance that someone might notice that disincentivising the use of the Chicago Card might not have been a good idea once they see the actual numbers that resulted from the change.

LOL @ "third world country"

Didn't realize the Tribune readers were migrating over here now....

I lived in a third world country for 2 years and let me tell ya, they weren't thinking about trains and transportation. When you're bathing in a river and growing your own food, you have better things to worry about than what big words people use, or if flower boxes are blocking the nearest bus stop, etc.

Well Tecki, aren't you just a ray of farking sunshine. Too bad we all can't be as smart and well read as you. Copy editor my ass ~! (copy editor is 2 words fuckwad)

Dave...Dave...web sarcasm my friend :)

Huberman and the CTA will not rest until the Brown Line looks like this!

http://www.taz.de/blogs/wp-inst/wp-content/blogs.dir/44/files/2007/02/043%20overcrowded%20train%20India.jpg

ED -

The RTA recently approved a grant/funding (whatever term is supposed to be used, i'm not sure) a study that the Urban Transportation Center at UIC will run regarding the senior rides. Apparently the folks at the UTC are just waiting for the go ahead to begin.

I kind of doubt Ron engineered a global economic meltdown. I mean come on, when does he have time for that?

I also don't understand why there would be a drop in CC or CCP usage. I can see new people not signing up, but why would people using it now go back to cardboard or (heaven forfend) cash?

I do wonder what the actual hike for CCP will be fore people like me who get their transit taken out of their paycheck. I get a discount for doing it through work, I hope that's not going away.

I'll take GradSchool for $55k, Alex. And could you crank that Latvian Folk Music?

Never fear, Cheryl. The Transit Benefit Program is part of IRS tax code. No one at the state or city level can take the pre-tax withdrawal option away.

"I also don't understand why there would be a drop in CC or CCP usage. I can see new people not signing up, but why would people using it now go back to cardboard or (heaven forfend) cash?"

First of all, the entire premise of your statement doesn't make sense. If you agree that fewer new city residents will use the card then you would have to agree that there would be a drop in card usage. You just wouldn't think there would be as big a drop as I do. As to your question "why would people using it now go back to cardboard or (heaven forfend) cash?" the only way I know how to answer is with a question. Why wouldn't they go back to the transit card. Obviously they wouldn't do it immedietely. They will use the Chicago Card until it expires. But when it does and when there is no longer a significant benefit to using them then obviously very few people are going to go out of their way to get a new Chicago Card. I know I won't. This is just obvious common sense that is not really debatable. We have went over and over this in previous threads, such as here: http://www.ctatattler.com/2008/10/safety-on-the-c/comments/page/2/#comments and here:http://www.ctatattler.com/2008/10/analysis-of-pro.html

The current fare structure, it seems to me, was set up in a very careful and logical manner by the previous management. It creates huge incentives to encourage the use of tickets that create service and cost effeciencies for the CTA. And it creates allows for price efficiencies that cause those who most care about lower prices, who are the people who would be most likely to consider another form of transportation, to pay lower fares. I don't understand why Huberman and the CTA board wants to throw all of this away. It just doesn't make sense and it suggests that those in charge either don't have basic organazational skills or they really could care less about running the agency in the proper way. I don't know which it is. We have seen that Huberman has used some rheteric on this involving populist remarks that borders on class-warfare. Perhaps he is using this issue in an attempt to impress lower income people in his future run for mayor. When people running organizations such as the CTA are using their positions as a stepping stone to political office it usually means they will often make decisions that are not in the interest of the organization.

And for the record, I never said people will go back to paying cash fares on buses. Of course they won't

*sigh* There goes the 10% bonus for having Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus. The only reason to have a CC card now is if you are using the card as a 30-day pass or if your job offers a pre-tax deduction for transit. With the increase there is no difference between the Chicago Card and the Transit Card. Also, with falling gas prices, the increase will send some riders back to their cars.

>>>
Also, with falling gas prices, the increase will send some riders back to their cars.
<<<

Other excuses just as valid include "it's Friday", "I don't want to scuff the soles of my new shoes", "The wind is over 7 mph today", and "I miss my Sirius radio."

People who use this fare increase as their reason for going back to their cars would go back to their cars regardless. This just gives them an excuse that at first blush sounds sort of rational.

It's like saying a 10-cent increase in the price of a Whopper will send diners back to McDonalds.

Tecki,

Just because someone else pays you to edit copy, does not give you the right to tell people what words are BS. 1st amendment maybe, your career which has no bearing on this forum... not so much.

If you want to live in your boring world go ahead, just don't try to inflict it on everyone else.