The Ride

Borrowing a page from my hometown newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, I thought I'd create a space on my blog where transit riders can speak their mind about the CTA, Metra and Pace.

Feel free to write what you want, but keep in mind that I can't post comments with profanity. (I work for a family newspaper after all...most days, anyway.)

Posted by Monifa Thomas at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBacks (0)

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard by now that the CTA is planning to shut down one track at Belmont and Fullerton as early as Monday.

The number of rush-hour trains will be reduced dramatically, resulting in more crowding and bigger delays until late 2009, when the Brown Line reconstruction project is scheduled to wrap up.

Between the Red, Brown and Purple lines, approximately 185,000 people use the North Side rail corridor that will be hardest hit by three-tracking. Are you one of them?

If so, how do you plan to avoid the gridlock?

The CTA has suggested using alternate bus routes, taking Metra or the Blue Line and timing your trips to avoid peak hours, but is that a reasonable option for you?

Posted by Monifa Thomas at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (0)

The Chicago Transit Authority made routing and schedule changes to eight of its bus lines this week, including the No. 147 Outer Drive Express. Find out more here.

Posted by Monifa Thomas at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Loud cell phone calls. People who crowd the doors on a loaded train car. Riders who don't give up their seats for pregnant women or the elderly. What's the worst of the worst when it comes to bad transit etiquette?

Posted by Monifa Thomas at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

At the March CTA board meeting, the agency's inspector general mentioned that her office had received "an almost unprecedented" number of customer service complaints, many of which were about electronic fare cards.

Have you had problems with your Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus? If so, what kind, and how responsive has the CTA been about addressing them?

Posted by Monifa Thomas at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

If you ran the CTA, Metra or Pace, what changes would you make to improve service?

Yes, running trains on time and keeping them clean are the obvious ones, but what other things would you recommend to make your life easier as a transit rider?

Posted by Monifa Thomas at 09:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)