Brad Collins, 53, of Edgewater, wrote to "Going Public" with complaints about the Blue Line. Here's the CTA response to why there are UIC trains. Here's the CTA response on volume of its announcements. Collins' letter continues after the jump.
"A couple of comments on the Blue Line. Why does the CTA run trains that only go as far as UIC? Those trains I see in the early morning are only half-filled. I have to wait for the next train to Forest Park, which usually doesn't come very quickly, and then it's packed!
Invariably, then, the Forest Park train then has to run express to Oak Park because it's late. I thought these intermediate trains went out with the A and B trains on the Red Line. ...
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CTA rider: This is what's wrong with the Blue Line
Second, the announcements are disturbingly loud. I'm sure OSHA would
not approve of the sound levels if the trains were a factory. I'm sure
you've heard this complaint before, but why can't the sound level be
adjusted to a normal level?
And this is true sometimes on the Red Line, but more so on the Blue Line. I carry ear plugs now, but I often think, 'Why do I need to do that just to ride on the 'L'?'
It was laughable tonight when the recording admonished riders to be courteous when making cellphone calls and listening to electronic devices. Please ask the CTA why it can't be more courteous with its own electronic devices!
It's been a while since you published riders' pet peeves, but I thought of a few as I was riding the trains.
Why do riders have to stand right in front of the turnstile as they dig deep into their pockets and purses to find their CTA card? A corollary is the station manager who stands in one turnstile well while he leans over to help someone get through the other turnstile. Of course, a long line forms and growls.
Another corollary is the group -- often with suitcases -- who stop at the top of the stairs from the underground passageway at Jackson so they can catch their breath and figure out where they are.
Meanwhile, the rush of other passengers on the stairs collide to a stop because no one can squeeze by.
Or how about the one person who insists on taking the stairs up to the platform at Granville as 50 people are trying to navigate down the stairs.
Meanwhile, the well-functioning escalator just continues to pedal its way upstairs COMPLETELY EMPTY! Aargh!
And then there's the occasional train driver who is maybe new or perhaps just a bad driver and has a lead foot as the train approaches the station. A hard jab on the brake sends a hundred people heaving forward like Olympic skiers making the high jump.
Please, CTA drivers, these trains are not cattle cars. There really are people in the seats and aisles behind you who really appreciate a smooth stop."
And this is true sometimes on the Red Line, but more so on the Blue Line. I carry ear plugs now, but I often think, 'Why do I need to do that just to ride on the 'L'?'
It was laughable tonight when the recording admonished riders to be courteous when making cellphone calls and listening to electronic devices. Please ask the CTA why it can't be more courteous with its own electronic devices!
It's been a while since you published riders' pet peeves, but I thought of a few as I was riding the trains.
Why do riders have to stand right in front of the turnstile as they dig deep into their pockets and purses to find their CTA card? A corollary is the station manager who stands in one turnstile well while he leans over to help someone get through the other turnstile. Of course, a long line forms and growls.
Another corollary is the group -- often with suitcases -- who stop at the top of the stairs from the underground passageway at Jackson so they can catch their breath and figure out where they are.
Meanwhile, the rush of other passengers on the stairs collide to a stop because no one can squeeze by.
Or how about the one person who insists on taking the stairs up to the platform at Granville as 50 people are trying to navigate down the stairs.
Meanwhile, the well-functioning escalator just continues to pedal its way upstairs COMPLETELY EMPTY! Aargh!
And then there's the occasional train driver who is maybe new or perhaps just a bad driver and has a lead foot as the train approaches the station. A hard jab on the brake sends a hundred people heaving forward like Olympic skiers making the high jump.
Please, CTA drivers, these trains are not cattle cars. There really are people in the seats and aisles behind you who really appreciate a smooth stop."
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9 Comments
zeroclash said:
I'm always amused by riders complaints of other riders.. people won't suddenly change their habits because someone bickers about it on some website, nor will CTA drivers change the fact that they slam on the breaks, electronic devices malfunction and none of these excuses really affect your life in a way that could stop you from doing what you're doing. I hope this letter makes the writer feel good about complaining. I do a lot of complaining but doing so on the internet is completly pointless and will effect nothing
James Reyes said:
This is off topic,but I didn't know where else to post it.
The C.T.A. should have a fare card that is also a check card.It doesn't matter if fare card readers and credit/debit card readers are incompatible,simply have 2 strips on the card.If two strips cancel each other out,use a seperate card for each reading system that is linked to the same account.
Joe001 said:
If a two-card system would be acceptable, what's wrong with the Chicago Card Plus system, where the transit card is linked to a credit or debit card?
James Reyes said:
The card could serve as a de facto bank account for people that couldn't get a regular bank account,debit card or credit card.It would also be popular with those people that would want an anonymous debit card.
Joe001 said:
And why should the CTA provide such cards for people who can't get a ragular bank account, debit card or credit card?
Just trying to understand.
eBob said:
I don't know what it is, but Chicago seems to have a lot of what I call "in-the-way people". For some reason, these people do not seem to understand that there are certain places where one really shouldn't just stand. Often, these people are encountered at the ends of escalators, in narrow doorways, and on sidewalks.
dltrey0305 said:
Did you ever think that maybe ,just maybe a lot of those people are from out of town?
James Reyes said:
People with the fare/check card would be more likely to use theC.T.A.Why is Joe spending so much time criticizing other people's ideas,instead of coming up with much better ideas himself?
Joe001 said:
Joe was asking questions, not criticizing. Lighten up.
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