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House Republicans move to eliminate transit funding; contact your U.S. rep

Those nutty House Republicans are at it again. This time they are trying to eliminate guaranteed funding for transit agencies by taking away their allocation of gas taxes. The Midwest High Speed Rail Association summed it up just about how I would, so I will let them do the talking: “Don’t own a car?! Don’t... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
Thursday at 6:58 pm
• 2 comments

CTA: Red Line rehab work is interim "facelift" - not part of Red-Purple project

This afternoon I got a note from a CTA media spokesperson further clarifying the nature of the seven-station Red Line rehab project I reported on yesterday. “The work outlined in the RFP is intended to be a life extension/interim-facelift project aimed at improving service and enhancing rider experience until a long-term solution is determined. The... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
Wednesday at 6:50 pm
• 7 comments

Big CTA Red Line rehab project could start this year; 7 stations at north end subject of RFP

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The CTA has solicited and accepted bids for a $57.4 million project to rehab seven of the nine Red Line rail stations from Jarvis to Lawrence. Excluded were Berwyn and Loyola. I found the following details of the work to bid by contractors in a request for proposal that was posted early this month on... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
Tuesday at 7:20 pm
• 20 comments
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Metra loses monthly pass advantage over CTA with fare hike

With the average Metra fare increasing about 30% effective Wednesday, the transit agency is losing its big advantage over the CTA in pricing on monthly passes. That’s particularly true at stations closer to downtown Chicago. Take Rogers Park, for instance. I can remember a number of my friends and neighbors saying they were switching to... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
Monday at 9:07 pm
• 12 comments

Save CTA priority seating for those who need it - or risk a caning

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Last week I got an email from a woman in her 40s asking for some advice: Because of a chronic illness, I frequently use a cane, but I have noticed that during rush hour people are so absorbed in their little electronic devices that even those in the priority seats don’t give them up when... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
January 29, 2012 at 7:18 pm
• 4 comments

Should CTA cops fine riders for putting feet, bags on seats?

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The CTA has plenty of rules regarding rider behavior on CTA property. But as far as I can tell, there’s no explicit, fineable prohibition for putting your feet or your bags on the seat next to you. But there is in New York City. Last year, New York cops issued tickets to 7,373 riders for... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
January 26, 2012 at 6:51 am
• 20 comments
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Chicago L Hangman tests your knowledge of CTA stations

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Feeling bored and ready for a CTA challenge? Try your hand at Chicago L Hangman. The game was created by Michael Jantzen of Washington, D.C. The idea is to guess an L station name without missing more than five letters. He includes all 143 stations, so some are easier than others, such at 87th –... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
January 25, 2012 at 6:32 am
• 3 comments

Gorgeous Kazakhstan metro took just 23 years to build - and looks great!

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It was 23 years in the making, but the Kazakhstan’s Almaty Metro is gorgeous. It’s only been open a month, but for the sake of the Kazakhstan’s passengers, one can only hope it stay as gorgeous – and clean. More photos here and here. Hat tip to Nate... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
January 24, 2012 at 7:07 pm
• 6 comments

How'd that happen? Teens disable bus, beat driver, rob passengers

It’s a real head scratcher, that makes you ask: Just how did four teenagers shut down a bus and then beat the driver and passengers and rob some of them? The CTA finally explained that an external panel door leading to a battery shut-off door was left unlocked, and the teens reached in and shut... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
January 24, 2012 at 7:15 am
• 13 comments
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Some transit agencies are accommodating the bigger-butt riders

New Jersey Transit plans to add 2.2 inches to the width of its seats in double-decker train cars over the next three years. And Amtrak plans to change design on dining car seating to accommodate the wider commuters of today. A New York Times story last week recapped these developments. “It’s clear that the U.S... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
January 23, 2012 at 7:07 am
• 9 comments