A mouse on the “L”? Roaches on a bus? Terrifying, but true tales of critters on the CTA, according to riders highlighted in Tuesday’s “Going Public.” Columnist Kyra Kyles asked for more stories of pests on public transit, and riders responded with those, as well as tales of two-legged nuisances.
Riders of a feather
I have gotten on the Red Line train twice this year with pigeons inside the car. First [there was] only one, and the second time there were actually two pigeons in the car. What was unbelievable was there were people who just sat there as the birds flapped around. I got off at the next stop to move to another car.
Leslie Jaras, 30, Edgewater
Wake-up call
I was on the Red Line just last week riding from Howard to Grand. It was the morning rush, and I was dozing in and out of sleep on my way downtown. Somewhere between Clybourn and Clark/Division I felt something warm on my knee that completely woke me up — it was a mouse that crawled onto my lap.
I screamed as soon as I saw it and I swear that everyone around me thought I was crazy. I still get chills every time I get on the train. People really need to clean up after themselves because that was the worst experience ever.
Sharon Mallari, 24, Lakeview
Creepy crawlers
Two weeks ago I was traveling to North and Clybourn on the Red Line [from] 95th to get to school.
First, the train that pulled up was nasty and disgusting, with food and paper everywhere. [When] the train stops at Harrison, this giant, nasty roach comes out of nowhere and crawls near me. When I saw it, I moved with my things so quick.
I still shudder every time I remember it. Now, every time I get on I look and see if any nasty creatures are around.
Monique Hill, 23, Riverdale
Save the music
I have a new pet peeve and it’s almost as toxic as secondhand smoke: secondhand music.
There seems to be a recent trend of people on CTA blasting their headphones so that everyone else in the car can hear. I’m sorry, but if I wanted to listen to “crap rap” at 8 in the morning, I would play it on my own iPod.
Please, please, please, people: Turn down the music! It will save those around you a headache and probably several degrees of your hearing when you get old.
Kathryn DeBruin, 24, Lakeview
Poor pitching, CTA
I work downtown and [Oct. 18] in my building there [was] a transit awareness day with reps from CTA, Pace and Metra present to answer questions.
I imagined that, given the approaching doomsday and CTA’s plans to cut 80-plus bus routes by January, CTA would care to have some fliers available with cuts information and advice regarding what to do about the situation. But of course they don’t.
They’re here to advertise their Chicago Cards and benefit programs for employers. Excuse me? First, you need to have a good product to sell.
And while the Metra and Pace reps had the decency to start a conversation about the cuts, the CTA rep looked bored and uninterested when I mentioned something. Unbelievable.
Pola Henderson, 27, Northwest Side
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goingpublic&tribune.com
