The Ride

Ever wonder why there isn't an easier way to get to a city 300 miles away without going through airport security? Train fans, especially those who have seen the efficient train service in Europe, have been wondering for years. Here's a link to an essay on the subject. Go to the April 21 entry in the "Cluster---- Nation" collection of articles on the lower left side.

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Everyone has a bad transit story -- the belligerent bus driver, the train that got stuck for an hour, the delay at the airport.

But how about a few nice transit stories? Did anyone out there ever get a smile from a bus driver that made a bad night better? Or did a CTA motorman hold the train for you as you came galloping down the stairs, and keep holding it after you accidentally dropped your keys on the platform?

Continue reading "Acts of Kindness in Transit - Tell Us Your Story!" »

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Last week, I did a story about TSA uniforms left unsecured at O'Hare Airport http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/893261,CST-NWS-tsa14.article

One of the responses we got was from a TSA officer, who didn't want to be identified. Here it is:

Continue reading "TSA officer responds" »

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

If anyone was on the Blue Line today when the trains had to stop in the tunnel, please share your story. The CTA is saying the initial delay was caused by a mechanical failure on a train just north of Clark and Lake, but that the major delay was caused because some people in a train north of the disabled train decided to get off the train on their own, which forced the CTA to turn off power to protect them. If you were there, we'd love to hear from you.

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 01:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBacks (0)

Several years ago, I got to visit Amsterdam, where the bike is king. Bike commuting is normal there — you see people in business suits riding bikes while talking on cell phones. There's barely room on some streets for cars, which have to drive slowly and wait their turn.

The Chicago area is not nearly as bike friendly as Holland. But bike commuters here say more people would do it if they just tried it a couple of times...

Continue reading "Share your bike commuting stories" »

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

On Wednesday, the Chicago Department of Transportation gave details of a $67 million project to upgrade the Grand and State subway station. See story here: http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/862231,station032608.article

Certainly the Grand and State station is dingy and dimly lit. But do other stations need the rehab more?

Continue reading "What CTA Stations Really Need Work?" »

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (27) | TrackBacks (0)

It's better than Christmas -- it's Bike Day, the first day after the long, icy, gray, sunless, depressing Chicago winter that it's warm enough to bike to work again. Bike Day varies -- depending on how brave you're feeling. It is March, after all -- you never know what the weather's going to do. It could be 50 and sunny when you leave in the morning and 25 and snowing on the way home.

Continue reading "Back on the Bike" »

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 02:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

A lot of people responded to my post on whether or not you should speak up on the L. Due to a glitch, the comments didn't get posted. They're on there now -- if you want to check them out. Look under "Move that bag! -- Speaking up on the L"

Continue reading "Move that bag! -- the readers respond" »

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 05:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)