Commutes Easy On First Day Of Red Line South Branch Reconstruction
By Chuck Sudo in News on May 20, 2013 2:25PM
Chicago Transit Authority put its best foot forward this morning on the first weekday commute to happen during the five month long reconstruction of the Red Line’s South branch. CTA President Forrest Claypool and Board Chairman Terry Peterson were on hand to greet commuters at the Garfield Green Line station, waving riders to the station with offers of free train rides, while CTA employees offered assistance and Chicago Police officers showed their presence around stations along the Green Line routes.
Free shuttle buses were half empty, according to the Tribune, which Claypool said was a good thing, as CTA wants to “CYA” during the South Branch project. "We want to error throughout the project on the side of extra service," Claypool said.
The show of force at Garfield is a major test for the project. The station is expected to become a hub for commuters as the reconstruction moves forward and fears of crowded commutes and increased incidents of crime are expected. For at least this morning, however, those fears haven’t been realized. Commuter Eunice Haynes told the Sun-Times she gave herself enough time for her shuttle bus commute from 87th Street to Garfield but found plenty of signage showing where to go and employees to assist.
Keep in mind; this is only Day One.