Chicagoist: New Green Line Station Coming

Tower18

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:33:46 -0600

Also, re: skip-stop...remember, everything has tradeoffs. You get skip stop, you cut train frequencies in half. So, maybe your ride is 2-3 minutes faster, but you wait 5-10 minutes longer for a train. I'll keep my "all stop" trains, thanks.

MK

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:16:44 -0600

Kaonnashi, The world does not revolve around you. The reality is that the pink/blue line changes improve the commute for the vast majority of people who ride transit through the area. Only a very small amount of people (probably around 5 to 10%) have a less convenient commute as a result of the changes. If you are part of that small percentage you need to deal with it. Life is not always perfect. There are always benefits and drawbacks to everything. As you admitted, those people who ride to the loop generally have it more convenient with the pink line. Also, and this is EXTREAMLY IMPORTANT, those who commute to the north side have a MUCH more convenient transfer with the pink line service than the old blue line. They just transfer to the brown line at the very first loop stop, Washington/Wells, which then goes immedietely to the north side(and then when they come back from the other way they also transfer at this very first loop stop). This compares to having to transfer to the red line at Jackson and having to spend an extra ten to fifteen minutes going through around six or seven stops in the loop each trip. And the north side, of course, is the biggest employment center in the city with the possible exception of downtown. So this is quite a bit more people than those who commute to the northwest side. And of course, if you do go to the northwest side there are many options for you. If you really want to take the blue line all around the loop you can just walk a few extra blocks (or take a bus) to the the Forest Park branch of the blue line. But the reality is that it is quicker to transfer at Clark/Lake instead of riding the train around the five or six stops downtown. So even for you, it seems that the pink line is more convenient. Those in the pink line area can also take a bus directly to the O'Hare branch of the Blue line. I think it is rather unfortunate that people like you think that you are entitled to have a service that benefits you to the detriment of the overwhelming majority of people. And you have the nerve to act as if you are somehow being negleted because everything is not of your liking. You need to learn that living in this world requires compromise.

Kaonashi

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:50:50 -0600

Whether or not the "Pink line is a big success" depends on who are you talking to. And if the "7.1 increase in ridership" is from the people who had to go from Clark/Lake to Adams/Wabash or the Library and simply hopped on the Pink Line because it arrived shortly after they did and they didn't want to wait for another train then I guess you could technically argue that "ridership did go up." Now, if more riders boarded from the Douglas Branch and rode to the Loop (and vice-versa) then a 7.1 increase would be a definite improvement. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. what does the a/b skip stop service on the red line have anything to do with the blue line/pink line???? it is impossible for a single extra train to be run in the dearborn subway (blue line) due to the basic physics of the universe. Thus, the number of trains run on the forest park/douglass branch line is limited to the number that can get through the subway (there isn't double tracking there). Point taken. I still think that the trips along the O'Hare branch are longer due to the fact that you are stopping at every stop now instead of skipping stations. if it made your commute longer, I'll shed a tear for you, but the ridership numbers have made the pink line a big success. I don't have to have something personally affect me or my commute to realize that it creates a problem for others and to be sympathetic. And when you see CTA reps basically blowing off the concerns of people who made the time to attend the townhall meetings, it makes it all the more easier. *shrug*

Tower18

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:10:50 -0600

Sparky: If you can point me to some reports independent of CTA that say that ridership is increasing I'll be happy to read them. Where would you like this data to come from? That's like asking for population numbers, but saying you can't use the Census. Who else but the CTA would track CTA ridership?

schwerve

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:31:28 -0600

Which wasn't an issue when CTA was using the A/B system because more trains could be run during rush hour and made EVERYONE's travel time quicker. what does the a/b skip stop service on the red line have anything to do with the blue line/pink line???? it is impossible for a single extra train to be run in the dearborn subway (blue line) due to the basic physics of the universe. Thus, the number of trains run on the forest park/douglass branch line is limited to the number that can get through the subway (there isn't double tracking there). Thereby to increase frequency on the douglass branch you can only a) reduce frequency on the forest park branch b)re-rout the douglass branch to the loop. The CTA chose b. if it made your commute longer, I'll shed a tear for you, but the ridership numbers have made the pink line a big success.

Kaonashi

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:15:43 -0600

he pink line allows for increased frequency on the line. using the douglas branch as a blue line spur was limited because the dearborn subway is at capacity and no more trains could be run. Which wasn't an issue when CTA was using the A/B system because more trains could be run during rush hour and made EVERYONE's travel time quicker. Besides, wouldn't that add to the decreased frequency of the 4 other lines that share that stretch of the elevated tracks (as opposed to one other line that shares the subway)? I agree that it might be nicer for those who are going to the loop but I wouldn't say that they make a HUGE majority (once again judging by the people who went to the community meetings who were PISSED) but then again, certain communities don't count to CTA. It took DECADES of bitching for the Orange Line to be built. it no longer exists, when the green line was rebuilt, that along with a number of stops along 63rd were removed. I'm aware of that.

schwerve

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:57:22 -0600

What purpose does the Pink Line serve the way its currently configured? the pink line allows for increased frequency on the line. using the douglas branch as a blue line spur was limited because the dearborn subway is at capacity and no more trains could be run. reconfiguring the douglass branch in the loop allows for increased frequency on the line, and as a result there has been significant increase in ridership on the line. so while the configuration is slightly less friendly to those going to the northwest blue line, its nicer for those taking it to the loop (the majority) because there are more trains. I would think that reopening the old Halsted/Lake stop would make more sense it no longer exists, when the green line was rebuilt, that along with a number of stops along 63rd were removed.

Kaonashi

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:18:22 -0600

Why make a stop at Morgan? I would think that reopening the old Halsted/Lake stop would make more sense (unless they want something smack in the middle of Clinton/Ashland).

Kaonashi

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:14:23 -0600

Joe Blow: Okay, I'll admit it, I'm being bitchy with the extra bus thrown in there, but Blue Line Rider walking to any stop on the Douglas branch of the Blue line and riding it to the NW side = One train, one stop. It's cold out now, so instead of walking people will catch a bus to the train (unless they've been waiting for a while, in which case they will still walk). Also, transferring from Pink to Blue at Clark and Lake is NOT as easy as someone transferring from the Green Line to the Red or Brown Line and vice-versa; you have to leave the platform, walk down about 3 flights of stairs in the Thompson Center, then go around a corner and go down yet another flight of stairs to get to the actual subway. It adds about an additional 10-15 minutes (possibly more if you miss your train, which usually happens) to your commute. Compared to the "get on train, ride to your destination" we used to enjoy it's a PAIN IN THE ASS. What purpose does the Pink Line serve the way its currently configured? Especially considering how the same people effected are also the same people who had to fight for three years to get that branch of the Blue Line reopened on the weekends? Are we supposed to be happy about these changes just because other people "transfer trains every day and they don't care?" CTA sends the message again and again that some neighborhoods and routes (and the people who use them) are more important than others. So likewise, "the little people" get tired of shitty service and look into other modes of transportation. Sparky: If you can point me to some reports independent of CTA that say that ridership is increasing I'll be happy to read them.

sparky

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:47:53 -0600

Kaonashi: Ridership is declining? By all numbers I could find, ridership is up. Can you find otherwise? Second, a UC station makes absolutely no sense. I ride the Pink Line daily, and the Ashland stop is only blocks from the UC, across a parking lot. Third, I come from the north side, and I have to take two trains to get where I am going. So do a lot of people. Oh My God! The travesty! A transfer! What makes Blue Line riders special that they shouldn't have to connect to go to the northside? From my own observation, the majority of people during rush hour get off of the Pink Line at Polk (UIC/Rush/JBVAMC/Stroger). You also have the option to stay on the Blue Line and get off at Medical Center without transferring, if you are heading to Medical Center.

Joe Blow

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:30:10 -0600

Kaonashi, your 1st point makes no sense...if a Pink Line rider used to only have to take one (Blue Line) train to the NW side, they now only have to transfer from Pink to Blue at Clark/Lake to reach the same spot in the same manner. Much like every other rider on every other train line has to transfer to the Blue Line if they want to take it somewhere. By adding in "and a bus" and pretending like it's so much different than it was before, you defeat your own purpose..

Kaonashi

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:12:22 -0600

CTA will never cease to amaze me with its ability to shit in the faces of the people who depend on it the most to appease others, then wonder why ridership is declining. Thanks to the genius that is the Pink line, instead of catching one train to get to the NW side people now have to catch 2 trains and a bus to get to the same place! Thank you, CTA! I'm quite sure a UC station is in the pipeline at some point. Because the tourists and out of towners who will use that stop to get to venues are much more important to CTA than its regular customers who use it 5+ times a week to get to work, run errands and do other things.

Navin

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:10:21 -0600

That's certainly part of it Toyota, Anyway if this country/city had its priorities straight we wouldn't have to choose between the two. There would also be a train that went North and South up and down Western Ave* *hey a guy can have pipe dreams can't he?

Joe Blow

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:47:30 -0600

Here's a Pink/Blue transfer: Clark/Lake.

Joe Blow

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:46:34 -0600

Here's a Pink/Blue transfer: Clark/Lake.

BlueFairlane

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:26:46 -0600

Western already is served by a number of el stops, including one a mere half-mile south of the Green Line. Since Western also has bus service, it's easy to transfer and get where you're going. The fast-growing area around Morgan and Lake, though, isn't served by anything, either bus or train. As for the United Center, according to Google Earth measurement, the distance between the Pink Line and the closest entrance to the UC is about 1,000 feet. The distance between the Blue Line entrance on Damen and the closest entrance is about 2,000 feet. I don't think a thousand feet justifies $35 to $40 million for a new station. I would, however, love to see a Pink/Blue transfer.

literati

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:16:31 -0600

I would love a Western stop... and I'm a white guy.

I_h8_toyota_and_BT

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:12:04 -0600

no stop at western because there are too many brown people there. there are white people at morgan now, so it gets a stop. when white people move further west, a station will follow. The green line may, one day, be for more than getting Oak Parkers downtown.

mike_thoms

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:35:59 -0600

Not everyone who visits the UC comes from an area where they can hope on an EL train to get there. The Cell is serviced by a much closer EL stop and has ample parking and yet before and after a game there is a ton of traffic and a lot of people on foot. parking lots and public transportation can co-exist to and from events and the United Center. People take buses to the UC, there are always at least 4 or 5 waiting after each game on Madison. It just seems like one of the city's major sports/concert venues should have an EL stop that's a block away.

schwerve

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:52:14 -0600

as to the UC, there actually used to be a stop there years ago. there isn't much of a need there from a transportation perspective as the majority of the area is just parking lot and there is a current L stop just 4 blocks away from the united center. get rid of the parking lots and maybe that area will warrant its own stop.

ophmarketing

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:02:00 -0600

I dont understand how the Pink Line goes right past the United Center and there isn't a stop there. If I were to suggest that perhaps the company that runs the parking concession for United Center has good lobbyists preventing such a carless-friendly move, would it make me a tinfoil-hatted, black helecopter-seeing conspiracy theorist...or just someone who's lived in Chicago for 40+ years?

mich

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:45:00 -0600

mike_thoms, you took the words right out of my mouth... I dont understand how the Pink Line goes right past the United Center and there isn't a stop there. Why should every other sports venue in town be serviced by a stop dedicated to them?

Navin

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:15:09 -0600

A new Green Line station is coming to the West Loop at Morgan Street even though studies showed it would be better for a stop at Western. Typical. Western could really use a stop there and it'd be a good step toward revitalizing this dismal area just North of the highway.

Joe Blow

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:47:58 -0600

Why would Western be an alternative to a Morgan street station? There is a *huge* gap between the Clinton & Ashland stations -- Morgan is the right choice..

Bronto

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:43:45 -0600

It's a pretty good stretch of track between Clinton and Ashland.

ophmarketing

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:09:23 -0600

Personally, I think there are too many stops between Central and Ashland as it is. The vast majority of riders seem to board at one end or the other with only a handful getting on or off in between. We could probably lose Laramie, Pulaski, and Kedzie with little impact on ridership.

mike_thoms

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:01:16 -0600

It seems like the green line is a catch 22 on Lake street...there aren't a lot of stops from downtown to oak park because ridership is low. but maybe ridership is low b/c there aren't enough stops?

Albanyparkour

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:50:25 -0600

Western is an arterial street and has bus lines running the length of the city. That would be my point for a Western stop. But hey, expanding the green line at all is good news.

Tower18

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:39:43 -0600

Western or Morgan? That's a no-brainer. Glad the CTA got this one right.

matty

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:33:56 -0600

There needs to be a blue line pink like transferstation

mike_thoms

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:20:00 -0600

How about a Pink Line stop that services the United Center? And why Morgan street? Why not Halsted? It seems like Halsted and Lake is a bustling intersection in the west loop.