Is it just me or are loop bound blue line trains running much slower now? (Chicago: home)

[romnation]

I take the blue line to work now and it seems much slower, especially when heading towards downtown. This has been consistent across multiple days of riding. Before now, i usually just used the train during non peak periods to get between neighborhoods. The Ohare bound trains on the way back home seem mostly normal. Is there track work going on or something? I take it in towards the loop at about 9:30am. Do busy period trains run slower than non peak trains? Google Maps says the trip should take 16 or 17 minutes usually form the Logan stop to the Clark/Lake stop, but today I timed it and it clocked in at 21 minutes.

Some of the spots that are especially noticeably slow:

Pulling into the Logan Square station (Usually the train pulls in very quick and I sometimes have to run from the Spauling side of the terminal to catch it in time.) Now it just seems like it creeps into the station, barely moving.)

Around the curve after Grand (Usually the train moves quite fast through here, but seems to be running at maybe half speed through here now)

Anywhere near Damen it seems to creep, also it barely moves between the Logan and California stops, it used to move a lot faster.

[pete6032]

https://www.transitchicago.com/sze/#maps

[romnation]

Originally Posted by pete6032

https://www.transitchicago.com/sze/#maps

I feel like these same slow zones have existed for the past year though. Has it actually gotten much worse in the past 6 months or so?

[Bulls91]

Originally Posted by pete6032

https://www.transitchicago.com/sze/#maps

The last one was posted November 30, 2017. Are they not updating it in 2018? I definitely still notice slow zones especially on the NW side between Rosemont - Cumberland, Cumberland - Harlem, Harlem - Jefferson Park.

[SkylarkPhotoBooth]

I had that thought last time I took the Blue Line in from O'Hare. Let's just say I won't be doing that again for awhile. The fact that they charge more than double the the standard CTA price for that slow-ass ride is ridiculous. (It didn't help that I was coming back from East Asia, where trains are faster, smoother, quieter, cleaner, and cheaper.) Chicago still has good public transportation by US standards, but it has massive room for improvement, and the speed of the trip in on the Blue Line is certainly one such area.

[Bulls91]

Originally Posted by SkylarkPhotoBooth

I had that thought last time I took the Blue Line in from O'Hare. Let's just say I won't be doing that again for awhile.

Despite some slow zones, I'd still be happier on the blue line from O'Hare during rush hour than the Kennedy, which could take twice as long to get downtown, while the train flies by standstill traffic.

At other times of the day, driving can be easy and faster than the train.

[SkylarkPhotoBooth]

Originally Posted by Bulls91

Despite some slow zones, I'd still be happier on the blue line from O'Hare during rush hour than the Kennedy, which could take twice as long to get downtown, while the train flies by standstill traffic.

I rarely arrive at O'Hare during rush hour. In that scenario, I'll grant you the Blue Line would still be preferable. I was taking it during a non-rush time in an effort to save money over a taxi or Uber. I've decided next time I will spend the money and it will be worth it.

Originally Posted by Bulls91

At other times of the day, driving can be easy and faster than the train.

I would change "can be" to "almost certainly is" when it comes to this particular route.