uh oh, CTA wants to raise fares (Chicago, Irving: metra, budget)

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by coldwine

Today I spent 4 hours in traffic. On a weekend. And I mean sat. I don't mean the amount of time it actually took me to get where I needed to be. I mean... 4 hours of sitting.

If I could have taken a bus, oh sweet jesus how happy I would have been. Instead, I sat in traffic.

I wanted a drink so badly I was sweating. I miss those days when you could order refreshment on the L. And by refreshment I mean hard liquor. Los Angeles is turning my affection for alcohol into an actual dependency problem

My experience with buses in L.A. has been very bad. Unlike New York, Chicago, and Boston, I don't think many people with means use public transit in L.A.

[coldwine]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

My experience with buses in L.A. has been very bad. Unlike New York, Chicago, and Boston, I don't think many people with means use public transit in L.A.

It's terrible. In this image-obsessed culture it doesn't go so well.

[prairiestate]

Originally Posted by eevee

is it just me or is bunching worse? It is a rare day when 2 North Ave buses aren't <5 minutes apart, regardless if it's morning, afternoon, or early evening. I've also noticed some bunching w/ the #3, #56, and #52 bus

Yup, it's bad. I was trying to get to the museum campus last Saturday. After a very length wait on Roosevelt and State, a bus finally arrived, with people practically hanging off the sides, and people lined up for half a block on Roosevelt. A few minutes later, another 146 arrived, all but empty. Same problem returning later that day from the museum campus, with the bus driver shouting at people to move back, when there was really no where to go. I shouted to him they needed to put more buses on this route, which met with a murmur of approval from the crowd. He told me to contact the CTA, and I decided to let the matter drop. I probably should have pointed out to him it was his union that was being intractable, and contributing significantly to the CTA's financial woes.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by eevee

is it just me or is bunching worse?

Its worse.

[WhaThe]

I'm in the habit, along with others I am sure, of looking down the street to see if one is following. It's usually one full, one less full and worth waiting a another minute for a more comfortable ride.

[ronin1770]

it is too sad - CTA is one of the best public transport companies in USA - and they are going down the drain - $ 3 is pretty steep

[Drover]

Mine is this: I think there may have been some "job action" during the first few days, because after that it hasn't really affected my daily commute much whether I take the Blue line or combination bus/Brown line (depending on whether I'm going to school or to my internship).

BUT:

1) Trying to get around during the evening/night SUCKS, especially if you have to take a bus. A couple weekends ago I waited 25 minutes for a bus and then another 25 for a train. I probably could have walked home in the time it took me to finally get there. Lately if cab fare doesn't fit into the evening's budget, I seriously contemplate changing my plans, including possibly not going out.

2) After a few months of steady improvement, bus-bunching seems to have gotten worse again. I don't know if this has anything to do with the service cuts, or maybe it's my imagination. But it seems to have become an issue again.

[Avengerfire]

I am just bumping this thread for the inevitable threat of raising fares again in a few months.

[coldwine]

I have long wanted to get my hands on the records of the CTA and Metra. I would love to know where all that money goes and how much it costs to really run either system.

That being said, I also speculate on just how much is needed to upgrade and repair.

[slow_nerve_action]

Originally Posted by coldwine

I have long wanted to get my hands on the records of the CTA and Metra. I would love to know where all that money goes and how much it costs to really run either system.

That being said, I also speculate on just how much is needed to upgrade and repair.

Exactly. Mismanaged while the infrastructure rots. Been taking the Blue line latelt, and amazed how much work the stations need compared to the Red line.

I do wonder how much we pay for the Securitas private guards to sit there in the booths downtown. I caught one sleeping at Washington last month at 7am, pounded the crap out of the window, and watched them jump. Good times.