A Bridgeport rider wrote to "Going Public" with a complaint about riders who don't pay the fare.
"Before the CTA increases fares, I believe that they should secure the stations to make sure that those who are riding the CTA pay their fares.
Each day Monday through Friday, students from a local high school squeeze through the turnstile at the 35th Street Red Line Station and ride for free.
Any weekday between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. you can see from three to 20 teenagers squeezing through the turnstile or doubling up while the riders who are leaving the station wait for these antics to occur.
This is just one station. How many other stations does this occur at? Hundreds maybe thousands of these violations occur everyday all over the city.
Why doesn't the CTA do something about this? I have complained to the CTA to no avail."
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6 Comments
Chicago48 said:
I agree with the fare jumper comment. Not only that, but I see young kids scale the tops that lead to the upper platform. They have no fear.
Another thing: Sunday I saw two young kids about 4 years old, go underneath the turnstiles while their parents paid the adult fare. The kids should go through the gate, but the attendant on duty was "sleep" at one station and there wasn't anyone at the second station.
The CTA is really in line for lawsuits coming its way. If one of those kids necks or bodies get twisted in the turnstile -- that's a lawsuit. If one of the teens that climbs the tops should fall and break his bones, that's a lawsuit.
Message from Montie said:
I've seen so many CTA reps talking on their cell phone or flirting with each other. Who has time to do their jobs?
eBob said:
I didn't know that kids were supposed to go through the gate. When one of my friends came to town with his kids, we just had them ride on our shoulders while we passed through the turnstiles. No one ever said anything.
Eric said:
At the Halsted Orange line station, I constantly watch people hit the exit button on the wheelchair turnstile and walk in. The CTA is complaining about how they have no money, and yet people keep riding for free. If my monthly pass DOES jump up to $110 a month, I think I'm just doing to drive to work and school.
Message from Montie said:
This girl I went to high school with was arrested for jumping over the CTA turnstile with her sister. She didn't show up for school for two days, I believe, but that was back in '98. I have no idea how strict (or not strict) they are now. However, kids are crazy. I can see why they're turning a blind eye. (I'm not justifying it. I can just see why folks are ignoring it.) Are CTA reps present and watching them jump or not even around?
dltrey0305 said:
First of all if this is what it takes to keep our kids from getting fat then its a blessing ,another thing don't you just wish this was the worst thing these kids ever did in their lives?
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