Chicagoist: CTA Says Less is More

Chicago 2016

Sun, 20 May 2007 18:44:25 -0600

That's a pretty cool image, I must say.

Tony C

Fri, 18 May 2007 22:34:29 -0600

I won't insert a long commentary (I'm speaking in relative terms, of course). But I thought (cuz you all know how helpful I am and all) I'd say Mr. Huberman isn't just threatening cuts. It's either transit gets funded, or runs out of money before the end of the year and shuts down. Last year, the RTA asked CTA, Metra, and Pace to submit balanced budgets to maintain existing service levels at current fares, accounting for likely operating expenses through 2007--with the expectation that the State would fund those budgets properly (which can only happen with action by the legislature--otherwise, they'd have been implementing cuts as early as January 1 to have gotten through the year on preexisting funding). So, they basically are coming up with their contingency plans. I think what we're going to end up seeing proposed will make the 2005 doomsay look more like child's play. Thankfully, it seems to finally be on legislator's minds. I mean, do we fund regional transit properly so the system can be clean, safe, efficient, and effective? Or do we let it rot to the point of uselessness and throw in our hat as a world city?

Mike Z

Fri, 18 May 2007 21:36:51 -0600

Captain Ron is a highly underrated movie. Funny as hell. PS - Drink heavily whilst watching

Clint

Fri, 18 May 2007 20:55:45 -0600

I'm not a big fan of conspiracy theories, so consider this a mental excercise. Yesterday I rode the Blue Line for the first time in a couple of months (I've been biking) and noticed that somebody had used bright green spray paint to write the word "express" next to survey-looking notations all along the tunnels from Division to Clark & Lake. What if all these service interruptions and track work are to cover work on the O'Hare Express without making it blatant? What if Daley and company are getting ready to gut the Blue Line so tourists can make it to the pretty downtown without having to deal with all the homeless folks and the dirty west side people? What if they think the Milwaukee Bus makes the O'Hare Blue Line redundant, and when Block 37's done the Blue Line becomes a dedicated, $9 route?

Johnny

Fri, 18 May 2007 19:58:07 -0600

how about they teach their dumb bus drivers how to drive and stop crashing into cars and pedestrians, then people wouldnt sue the CTA for millions. would save tons of money in the long run.

matty

Fri, 18 May 2007 17:42:56 -0600

i went from wicker park to uptown today in less than 45 minutes. i really hope they get their funding straight cause the cta is doing the best it can post-kruesi.

just me

Fri, 18 May 2007 16:40:33 -0600

um, actually, Mercedes is the Mercedes of buses.

doppler

Fri, 18 May 2007 16:12:34 -0600

The Brown Line has been very good around Fullerton lately, even during rush hour. This track switching pain only comes into play on the after work ride home.