The Wheels on the Bus

By Margaret Lyons in News on May 10, 2004 2:31PM

The Tribune�s baby tabloid the RedEye tackles some CTA gripes today. Sure, there�s the standard �run more busses� and �be on time,� but Chicagoist�s favorite was the woman who complained that her 151 bus driver was reading the newspaper. According to the CTA, �Rail operators should not be reading newspapers or using cell phones on the job.�
The RedEye asked the CTA and the Campaign for Better Transit (CBT), a advocacy organization, for solutions to the most common complaints, including:

Run the No. 151 and other buses on schedule.
CTA: CTA makes every effort to adhere to schedules but bus operators encounter the same issues as motorists, such as weather and accidents. CTA is working to implement technologies to improve performance.
CBT: There are common-sense solutions to bus bunching and resulting long waits. Placing bus stops on the far side of the intersection, so buses go through and stop on the other side of traffic signals. Creating more dedicated bus lanes. Also, technology solutions such as electronic devices on buses that "pre-empt" traffic signals and allow buses to move through heavy traffic.

Letting busses preempt traffic signals would clearly rule, except for seeming totally dangerous. Isn�t that reserved for ambulances and stuff?