In Wednesday’s “Going Public” column, Kyra Kyles wrote about the new announcements on “L” trains and buses, and the subtle changes that were made to old announcements. (“We are being delayed,” for instance, is now “We are standing momentarily.”) Readers responded to the change and sounded off on a variety of CTA-related topics, including last week’s column about “L” stop eating.
The whole truth
If the CTA would like to be more accurate with its recorded announcements:
Red Line south of Chinatown: “Soliciting, gambling, dealing contraband and nuclear arms transactions are now allowed until the end of the line. Please conclude all deals by 95th. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Most bus lines: “The buses are stacked up, running one after the other, in order to accommodate longer waiting times for all passengers. Thank you for having waited another 45 minutes for this bus, since earlier three in a row came and passed you by.”
Now that would be “truth in announcements.”
Michael Sherry, 45, Lakeview
Let us eat!
It is true that hot dogs and Cheetos may not be the best option for a meal on the “L,” but at least it should be an option.
I recently moved to Franklin Park from Chicago. Because the Belmont bus doesn’t reach close enough, I take the Belmont bus to the Blue Line to O’Hare to a Pace bus, then walk home. This process takes more than three hours.
I’m on the bus from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Somewhere along there I’m going to get hungry. Is it fair that the CTA can fine me for eating? No! A person has the right to eat! What if they’re diabetics?
Just seems like a way for the CTA to fine its hungry customers.
Tania Santana, 22, Franklin Park
Hands across CTA
I have a legitimate beef with the CTA. Why not install horizontal grab bars above head-height so that passengers can have more places to hold on to? It’s that simple!
If the CTA needs me to draw them a picture I’d be happy to do so. On another note, can you write an article on escalator etiquette? It’s “stand on the right” and “walk on the left.” Let’s get it together, people.
Sawis Cao, 30 Ravenswood
Show that you care
I want to start by saying that the CTA needs to realize how many people it accommodates.
I have been taking the CTA for 19 years of my life. I am only 23, so that says a lot. These new CTA cards, which I went to get to save them money, have been nothing but a problem. I had an encounter where I threw $20 on the card and the machine didn’t put it on.
I asked the attendant for help and she gave me an attitude. Well, it is the CTA that needs an attitude adjustment.
I would also like to say that I tried to contact them about this problem and I was put on hold. I never was answered by them. I live my life on the Belmont bus and the Blue Line, so for this to happen to a veteran rider like me was just horrible.Spend money on taking care of your customers, not an office building.
Brandon M. Walsh, Irving Park
Good morning
I would just like to thank the jolly bus driver that works the No. 77 route on Belmont. He makes an effort to say hello to everybody on the bus, unlike some employees who are rude. This makes a difference and gets my day off to a good start.
If there were more CTA drivers like this man it would make a great difference. I’m sure he knows who he is, but here’s his route number anyway: 22490.
Gina Murphy, 19, Ireland
(In Chicago for the summer.)
