What Is The Worst El Line In Chicago (Astoria, Time: to live in, things to do)

[sydbarrett]

Originally Posted by iluvchi

it is the el

Think whatever you want. For that matter, go ahead and think Bronzeville is gentrified. I don't care.

The term "el" is for New Yorkers and transplants to use.

[tcannon2007]

Originally Posted by skorch101

Actually drinking (whether it is alcohol or soda) is not allowed. I think you are confusing CTA with Metra where drinking (both) is allowed. CTA obviously doesn't care because the employees/police are rarely seen on board. If you don't like it, drive!

Drinking is allowed on the CTA, eating, and playing loud music is not. I hear the annoucement over the intercom alll the time. Eating, Smoking and littering is not allowed on CTA vehicles. Drinking is

[Golden Camel]

http://www.transitchicago.com/assets...nce_006-75.pdf
CTA ordinance 006-75 (pdf):

It is a violation of this ordinance for any person:
...
2.3 Food and Beverages
to consume any food or beverage, excluding medicine, upon any CTA bus or train.
...
SECTION 3. Any person who violates Section 2 of this ordinance shall be subject to any or all of the following pursuant to any order or judgment entered by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction:
3.1 Fine
a fine not less than $100.00 nor more than the statutory maximum for each offense authorized by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, 70 ILCS 3605.
3.2 Supervision
to complete a period of supervision.
3.3 Restitution
restitution when the violation involves damage to property.
3.4 Community Service
community service for not less than 30 and not more than 120 hours.

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by Golden Camel

It is a violation of this ordinance for any person:
...
2.3 Food and Beverages
to consume any food or beverage, excluding medicine, upon any CTA bus or train.
...

Yea, I looked it up as well and realized I was mistaken earlier. My mistake was thinking drinking a bottled water on the CTA should be allowed by simple common sense. What if you're stuck in a broken train underground and dehydrated? Drinking a sip of water is a punishable offense? Yes, it would be. That's incredibly stupid if you ask me.

[tcannon2007]

I guess I was mistaken as well. However when I am on a bus or train I hear them say no smoking, littering or eating. Not that the rules are enforced regardless. Oh well.

[Golden Camel]

Originally Posted by jwaiter

Yea, I looked it up as well and realized I was mistaken earlier. My mistake was thinking drinking a bottled water on the CTA should be allowed by simple common sense. What if you're stuck in a broken train underground and dehydrated? Drinking a sip of water is a punishable offense? Yes, it would be. That's incredibly stupid if you ask me.

Keep a bottle of cough medicine with you just for those occasions!

[Vlajos]

now I'm curious, when was the last time someone was prosecuted for drinking (not alcohol) on the cta?

[Kamms]

Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet

I'm considering a move from New York to Chicago.

How does the Red Line compare with the NYC subway? Is it on par with the L or the 6 for rush hour congestion?

What about these "slow zones" I hear about? Friends I've talked to that live/have lived in Chicago have all warned me that the CTA is generally slower than the MTA.

There is no comparison of the NYC transit/subway system to Chicago's. It is not all that extensive considering the size of the Chicago. Rush hour on Chicago's system is not bad...spike of crowded trains...sometimes you may have to let one go if you have the time; when this happens, there is usually a train close behind because the trains get close together due to a lot of delays. Also, the actual ''subway'' is not much at all...for example the Red Line heads underground at North Avenue south to Roosevelt (about 4 miles) same thing on the Blue Line. The L can be used to go out on weekend evenings etc. but people in Chicago generally use for commuting to work and not for social occassions like NYC. As you know, some 5 million people use the NYC subway everyday...maybe 300,000 a day in Chicago...using the subway is part of the culture of NYC not in Chicago.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Kamms

There is no comparison of the NYC transit/subway system to Chicago's. It is not all that extensive considering the size of the Chicago. Rush hour on Chicago's system is not bad...spike of crowded trains...sometimes you may have to let one go if you have the time; when this happens, there is usually a train close behind because the trains get close together due to a lot of delays. Also, the actual ''subway'' is not much at all...for example the Red Line heads underground at North Avenue south to Roosevelt (about 4 miles) same thing on the Blue Line. The L can be used to go out on weekend evenings etc. but people in Chicago generally use for commuting to work and not for social occassions like NYC. As you know, some 5 million people use the NYC subway everyday...maybe 300,000 a day in Chicago...using the subway is part of the culture of NYC not in Chicago.

No, more people use the CTA trains. It's like 700,000 and add in buses it's like 1.7 million on an average week day

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Kamms

...
The L can be used to go out on weekend evenings etc. but people in Chicago generally use for commuting to work and not for social occassions like NYC. As you know, some 5 million people use the NYC subway everyday...maybe 300,000 a day in Chicago...using the subway is part of the culture of NYC not in Chicago.

I don't know where Kamms lives, but the "L" is certainly part of the culture in many parts of Chicago. It may not be universally part of it, but the vast majority of people I know who live near the "L" do ride it for more than just commuting.

Rail Ridership

Jan-June, 2001: 75,069,937
Jan-June, 2011: 106,836,230

Average weekend days ridership as a percentage of weekday ridership systemwide in June:
2001: Sat: 54%, Sun: 39%
2011: Sat: 67%, Sun: 57%

It can vary a lot by station, but for stations near a lot of shopping and things to do:

Chicago Ave Red Line station, average weekend day ridership as a percentage of weekday ridersip in June:
2001: Sat: 80%, Sun: 55%
2011: Sat: 91%, Sun: 68%

Damen Blue Line station, average weekend day ridership as a percentage of weekday ridersip in June:
2001: Sat: 54%, Sun: 38%
2011: Sat: 79%, Sun: 64%

As you can see, weekend ridership is pretty strong and getting stronger, with Saturdays in some locations being over 90% of the ridership seen on a weekday.

In other words, Kamms, you appear to be a little behind the times. And, yes, there is a similar trend in both London and New York.