Seen the new 7000 series L cars on the Red Line yet

 

[VIDEO] It appears they're in service on the CTA Red Line as of Monday. Chicagoland Transit on YouTube is showing these newest train sets in action either on the north side and as far south as 63rd Street. Perhaps I'll finally see these trains in action and certainly ride on one.

If you're tired of facing the aisles when you ride this train doesn't have aisle facing seating. Aside from of course priority seating for the elderly or passengers with disabilities.

CBS Chicago: Man shoots at bus after being denied a ride

 

[VIDEO] Reported this morning presumably. A CTA bus was shot at near 119th & Princeton. Thankfully no one was hurt and the shooter was in custody. The shooter got mad because he wasn't allowed a ride on the bus without a face mask.

Although the state & city will open up further on Friday wearing a face mask on public transit is a federal mandate.

What if there was still a Lake/Dan Ryan line

 

[VIDEO] Before 1993 trains from 95th Street were instead routed towards the west side through the Loop elevated. After passing through the Loop trains continued west along the Lake Street elevated tracks where the line terminated at Harlem/Lake in Oak Park, Illinois. Basically image the Dan Ryan route from 95th to Cermak/Chinatown (or 22nd Street) being the CTA Green Line which still has Harlem/Lake as its western most terminal now.

What if CTA had never created the CTA Red Line and Green Line as we know it today - after 1993 - and trains from 95th still goes west to Harlem/Lake. And what if the automated announcements we're familiar with on CTA trains reflected this. Well from Chicagoland Transit youtube channel they have created such announcements.

Something I hope you transit aficionados who read this blog will appreciate.

My how the streetscape of 95th & State Street has changed #tbt

[VIDEO] It wasn't that long ago that this was the scene from the 95th Red Line Terminal. And the reconstruction is largely done now in 2021. It seems that we're getting ready to see in a new phase in the redevelopment.

Earlier this year the gas station, Ed's Livery building, a currency exchange building, another gas station, and them a Cosmo store have all been demolished. Even the old Jim's Polish stand closed since 2014 were all demolished last month.

So the scene you see here was from back in 2016 and who's have thought all the structures you saw back then would be nothing more than a memory?

CTA Red Line extension meeting regarding the station at 130th street

 I'm sorry I haven't be able to adequately advertise these virtual townhalls regarding the CTA Red Line extension. One had just passed last night, however, regarding the proposed station at 103rd Street as you see in the flyer below. There will be two other meetings on the 103rd Street and Michigan Avenue stops later this month.

Meanwhile StreetsBlog Chicago has a recent story about the meeting about the 130th Street stop for the proposed Red Line extension

Chicago Tribune: Authorities investigating ‘suspicious package’ at Far South Side Metra facility

I'm checking the Metra website and see no mention of any service updates with regards to this. Trains were stopped during rush hour, however, nothing that shows definitively that service has been continued.

This was the story from the Tribune as of 4:30 Friday evening.

A Far South Side Metra facility was evacuated and Metra Electric District trains were halted Friday afternoon after an employee noticed a suspicious package, Metra officials said.

The package was reported at a maintenance facility at 12301 S. Indiana Ave. in the West Pullman neighborhood, Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said. As of about 4 p.m., Metra Electric trains were still stopped, and authorities continued to investigate the threat.

The trains were halted around 3:20 p.m. “out of an abundance of caution” because the line passes near the facility, Gillis said.

#tbt Chicago History Today: Then and Now, Torrence-112th

112th & Torrence in 1947

 A bit outside of the scope of this blog, however, this shows a different scene from what's at this same location just last year. This photo and the 2020 photo is seen at Chicago History Today blog which shares:

In 1947 the Wisconsin Steel plant dominated this section of Torrence Avenue. Here, at paper-112th Street, was the southern terminal of the South Deering streetcar line. By then an off-street turn-around loop was already in place—the tracks are visible at the bottom of the older photo. However, most of the double-ended cars still changed directions the old-fashioned way, parked in the middle of the street while the seats and trolley poles were flipped.

Buses replaced streetcars on Torrence Avenue soon after the 1947 photo was taken. Today those buses use that off-street loop. Wisconsin Steel closed in 1980. The drinking fountain that guy in the older photo was using is gone, too,

Metra Electric station at 111th Street #tbt

 

[VIDEO] The train station right at the Pullman National Monument was uploaded to YouTube by the channel M K on November 16, 2015 - basically over five years ago. Showing passengers getting off of a train at night from Randolph Street.

Surely it might be different by now even little by little however it would be nice if there were some improvements. Especially if this could become a future tourist attraction with the national monument nearby.

Can't wait to see this new train on the red line extension

 

[VIDEO] This video was shot in October on the north side showing a test run of the future 7000-series cars that will soon be running on the Chicago L. And in spite of the title, perhaps we'll see this train running on the CTA long before construction begins on the red line extension that is still being discussed.

The horn is different as it sounds like a real horn, younger generations of Chicagoans have heard horns from trains that sound more electronic. And the design is certainly much different almost reminiscent of the old 2000-series, 2200-series or even the 2400-series (especially the colored front ends).

Another quick note according to the 7000-series page at Chicago-L.org these cars are being manufactured at a plant on 111th & Cottage Grove right in Pullman. The 2000-series cars were also constructed there in 1964, the last L cars to be constructed in Chicago.

CTA Red Line extension project #RLEReady #Ward09

[VIDEO] CTA has a new video out about the CTA Red Line extension that is still being planned that takes the Red Line further south into Roseland and Altgeld Gardens where the final destination is 130th Street. The next critical phase for this ambitious project is construction which is expected to cost $2.3 billion half of that would come from federal funding and the rest from non-federal funding i.e from the city of Chicago, state of Illinois and/or even CTA itself.

I like these renderings of the various stops on the southbound Red Line extensions.

CTA Dan Ryan 1969 grand opening brochures

 

[VIDEO] I enjoyed this look back at the L as it was over 51 years ago. The unveiling of then new bright shiny object on CTA. The line many riders might complain about over the years. One of the busiest on the system. Its been through many changes, but I wonder if this compares to it's grand opening.

Also artistmac made a quick shot at the fact that 50 years later the L still hadn't been extended further south since then. However, plans are in motion though most won't be happy until those plans are executed finally.

I look forward to the future grand opening of the Red Line extension.

98th & Cottage Grove #fbf

Via Chicago History Today

It's amazing to see how this part of Cottage Grove which is basically Pullman looked in 1954. As you check out the blog Chicago History Today you see how much differently this part of the city looks today. Of course we no longer have a streetcar running in the city at all just about 70 years later. And there's a lot more brush and trees covering up the railroad right-of-way these days.

Seeing old photographs of this city just blows me away...

Tribune: CTA and Pace buses will begin collecting fares again, as riders slowly return to public transit

If you've gotten used to boarding the rear of a CTA bus during the course of this coronavirus pandemic, that time is ending. If you enjoyed avoiding paying your fare, especially for those of you who prefer to pay with cash as opposed to using a ventra card those days are about to end.

In another sign that things are getting closer to normal in the Chicago area, the CTA and Pace will start collecting bus fares again, and the CTA will end rear-door boarding.

The CTA will require customers to enter buses via the front door and pay fares starting Sunday, while the Pace suburban bus service resumes fare collections Monday.

Both agencies had waived fare collection as a way to protect operators and passengers from the coronavirus. But since the agency started rear-door boarding in April, the state and the agency have adopted other ways of keeping people safe, including providing masks for all drivers, requiring that passengers be masked, and implementing new cleaning technology, said CTA spokesman Brian Steele.

The agency limits the number of passengers on buses to no more than 15 people on a 40-foot bus and no more than 22 on a 60-foot bus. The CTA also has a ridership information dashboard on its website that shows when buses are the most crowded to help people choose a better time to travel.

Keith Hill, president of the bus drivers’ union, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241, said his group agreed with the resumption of front-door boarding. Hill noted the CTA had agreed to increase the “standee line,” or how far passengers have to stand back from drivers, to more than six feet.

In addition to outdoor dining, opening the lakefront, even allowing businesses that provide such services as barbers, pedicures, tatoos, etc to reopen it's a start!

Starting Sunday, rear-door boarding on CTA buses will end. As we begin to welcome people back, riders will return to boarding at the front as we’ve taken many steps to provide the healthiest environment possible for customers and employees. Learn more: https://t.co/VDccvU5ct2 pic.twitter.com/SuRgcZfCwr

— cta (@cta) June 19, 2020

CTA cleaning #Pandemic

[VIDEO] Since I shared Amtrak's response, what about the response from the Chicago Transit Authority. Unfortunately many Chicagoans have a love hate relationship with their public transportation provider.

I don't often see CTA workers giving the "spit-shine" to at the very least the CTA trains especially when they get into their respective terminals. To be honest it's probably hard to do when say a train get into its final destination and it has to go right out and you have passengers coming around and taking their seats.

Another thing I've noticed on trains during the heat of this pandemic is that increasingly you see homeless people riding the trains. Unfortunately they're just as vulnerable to the coronavirus and I get the idea less likely to seek out medical help for this very dangerous illness. So unfortunately there's that the content with on CTA at all hours.

It's great to see this b-roll footage of CTA workers sanitizing even train stations from handrails to Ventra card machines. It's great to see workers get on the buses and deep clean once their in their respective garages. Indeed, this is also occurring to CTA trains once they're in the yard.

There could be more CTA could do to insure passengers are in a very clean and safe environment on public transportation during this pandemic. Perhaps make more of an effort to keep the homeless from using CTA as a shelter for example - although granted I hear a lot of the shelters are crowded right now.

Another odd thing that has been going on with CTA right now is their attempt to protect their employees, especially bus drivers. CTA riders will have to board the back of the bus now.

To help #KeepTheDistance and better protect you and our frontline workers, beginning today, we’re implementing rear-door boarding on all buses and allowing some buses to run as “drop-off, only” to avoid crowding.

Full details: https://t.co/xFgooEI7lQ pic.twitter.com/5wq3YGDmOj

— cta (@cta) April 9, 2020

While this had in my mind conjured up images of the Montgomery Bus Boycott - and its not really something I've seen discussed in the media - I realize these are not those times. There are reports of CTA bus drivers being diagnosed with coronavirus and have little issue with ensuring their safety. Getting on the bus through the back doors are something we have to get used to for now for the safety of the transit workers.

Not that I advocate for this, however, at least until we get back to normal if you pay cash fare to board a bus CTA isn't collecting your fare. Reportedly, however, they plan to place Ventra card readers at the back of the bus though so far most buses don't use this feature yet.

WBEZ: Teens Say Free CTA Rides On First Day Of School Are Not Enough

Usually on the first day of school students and their parents will ride CTA for free. Some students say this still isn't enough.

Students say it’s helpful, but they want the offer year round.

“I think students should get free rides because I don’t really know how you will expect youth who are focusing on their education and career to have constant money,” said Jennifer Nava, a senior at Kelly High School in the Brighton Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side.

It’s a big ask in a city dealing with a huge financial deficit. Just last week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city faces a projected $838 million budget shortfall next year.

Still Jennifer, an outspoken teenager who keeps close tabs on city affairs, wants to remind Lightfoot that she promised to make transportation more affordable for students during her campaign.

“If time is not now, then when?” Jennifer said.

How about this, create a U-Pass program for K-12 students especially designed for those students who must depend on public transit. If there isn't enough money to allow free rides for CPS students year round then do what the city's universities have done, require activity fees. Probably not a popular solution, however, as stated in the article the reduced fares for K-12 students add up.

Metra Electric delays during last nite's PM rush

[VIDEO] If you were traveling on the old IC line aka Metra Electric District you experienced some delays especially if you left from any station between Randolph Street to 51st Street. The video you see above aired on CBS 2's 6 PM broadcast.

Per  a tweet from a dedicated twitter page for the Metra Electic District electical power had been restored though trains would operate with residual delays

Metra Alert ME - Electrical power has been restored. Inbound and outbound train movement has been cleared to proceed. Trains will be operating with extensive delays - UPDATE #2

— Metra Electric (@metraMED) July 3, 2019

Sun-Times: Man fatally hit by Metra Electric train, service resumes with ‘extensive delays #Ward09

Well it's a bit interesting I post that Metra Electric ride along video this morning and there was an incident on that same line this morning near Kensington or 115th Street. Here's a tweet with a link to the Sun-Times story

The CTA will honor Metra tickets for affected riders on the Red Line from 95th to Lake and on the 1, 2, 6, J14, 28, 71, 115 and 119 buses. https://t.co/lyRUkPKgHH

— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) February 22, 2019

From the twitter page for the Metra Electric line a new update.

Metra Alert ME - CTA will no longer honor Metra tickets on the Red Line (95th to Lake) and bus route 1, 2, 6, J14, 28, 71, 115 and 119

— Metra Electric (@metraMED) February 22, 2019

Metra Electric ride-along #fbf

[VIDEO] Remember a few years ago that I had shared a video of the CTA Red Line where you would see the whole journey from 95th Street to Howard Street on the north side. What you see above was published on Metra's YouTube channel in May 2017.

In this case you will see the journey of the Metra Electric train from University Park in Will County through the south suburbs and into the city to the Millenium Park station in downtown Chicago just under Randolph Street.

If you want to see it's journey through the south side of Chicago just skip to about 30 mins into this one hour video. Basically you'll see the communities of Ward 9 from about 130th to 95th roughly on it's journey. Of course if you continue watching until it goes into downtown Chicago you will see Hyde Park and Bronzeville along the way.

And it's also interesting to note that this line which also has branches west into Blue Island and east to the South Chicago neighborhood has been part of proposals to become part of the CTA as the grey line. It was also cited as an alternative to building the Red Line extension by a candidate for mayor of Chicago.

Metra Electric Map

Curbed Chicago: CTA completes $280 million 95th Street terminal overhaul #Ward09

I know this is old news at this point and had already shared one article about this, but Curbed Chicago also covered the opening of the north terminal at 95th. It really does look like a hub of activity, and it does seem like an airport. Perhaps CTA's answer to Midway Airport...

CTA completes $280 million 95th Street terminal overhaul https://t.co/TLw6J8IHJ2 pic.twitter.com/sSNLJK4VvM

— Curbed Chicago (@curbedchicago) January 4, 2019

There are some other articles I would like to share with regards to transit projects in Chicago.

Washington Heights Visioning Session - Red Line Extension Coalition

Red Line extension

This invited with an attached newsletter was sent to us via the West Chesterfield Community Association with regards to the red line extension.

• THE FOURTH AND FINAL WASHINGTON HEIGHTS VISIONING SESSION BY ENDELEO INSTITUTE.
  
  6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  Thursday October 18th, 2018
  Woodson Library Auditorium
  9525 S Halsted, Chicago

 Red Line Extension Coalitio... by on Scribd