Ever wonder how the cash-strapped CTA can afford to sponsor city events or own its state-of-the-art digs at 567 W. Lake St.? In Tuesday’s “Going Public,” columnist Kyra Kyles debunked some big-spender myths about the mass transit provider. The CTA, for example, rarely spends money on sponsorships, instead trading advertising space with non-profit partners for it. It’s also cheaper for them to own on Lake Street rather than rent out office space, an agency spokeswoman said.
But riders wrote in with their own ideas about how the CTA could save even more money. On a different track, a Lakeview rider blasted bad door-blocking behavior.
Unfair fares
I have a follow-up to the sponsorship comment from the CTA.
[According to spokeswoman] Wanda Taylor : “The CTA does not usually purchase sponsorships, instead trading its unsold advertising and promotional space on buses … which in turn promote the CTA in their materials.” Since when does the CTA need to be promoted? As if there are other transit companies vying for business. Or as if they need to promote themselves because people don’t know there is a public transportation system in Chicago. DUH!A better question would be: “Why does it cost me $2 to get from Grand to Chicago on the Red Line, but it also costs me $2 to get from 95th [Street] to O’Hare?” If that’s the case, do you think we could pass something in City Council that mandates the cabs to give us the same fares? I would SO much prefer to take a cab from 95th to O’Hare than the CTA.
Del Phillips, 30, Lakeview
Totally wasted
I’m currently sitting on a southbound No.147-Outer Drive Express [bus], and I have to thank my lucky stars that I brought a jacket today. The air conditioning on this bus is cranked up so high that I’m really wondering why I haven’t seen my breath yet.
I always wonder why the buses have to be so cold, when it would be a simple fix to open the huge windows that are always closed. I was always taught that driving with the air conditioning on can potentially waste a lot of gas. We all know how “cheap” gas is these days.
And furthermore, it’s the middle of the day. It’s sunny outside. Why do the lights on the bus need to be lit up? Wouldn’t it save more money if they used less energy?
David Morrison, 25, Rogers Park
Riders shouldn’t cast stones
There are so many riders complaining about the CTA these days. However, I think that riders should take a look at themselves before they start pointing fingers at the CTA for their mishaps. More than half of the bad experiences I’ve had on the CTA were caused by other riders, and not caused by dirty “L” trains or rude bus drivers.
My latest was when I was on my way to Midway Airport last Friday. My flight left at 9:30 a.m., so I had to travel on the Red and Orange lines during rush hour.
I squished my way onto a car in which the doorway area was packed to the brim, and was shocked to see the aisles nearly empty, with only two or three people standing there. I attempted to move into the aisle to make room, but a gentleman was standing, blocking me. I politely asked, “Sir, can you please move over a bit so people in the doorway can spread out to the aisle?” He nodded and moved over one baby step.
The train traveled to the next stop, and I said to the three people in the aisle, “We all need to move down so the people can get on the train.” Everyone looked at me as if I was the insane one.
Riders complain that trains are too packed. Well, no. Doorways are too packed. Riders in the aisles need to suck it up and make room by moving down the aisles. If people can’t learn to use their common sense, how can we expect the CTA to improve?
Alicia Miller, 23 Lakeview
