Posted May 8, 11:57 a.m.

OK, let me begin by stating that I did not leave the house this morning intending to commit a CTA sin, but sin I did. 

I consider this among the minor  infractions, but I was waaaay behind a friend who was boarding a bus and didn't think I'd make it.  She kindly asked the operator to wait, and he did, but I felt really bad, especially since I didn't have my Chicago Card ready.  When I boarded, I searched for it, but ended up paying two bucks because I didn't want to drag the drama out further.

Lest you say what I did wasn't that bad, I did get at least two dirty looks as I strolled to the back of the bus.  Call it a Walk of CTA Shame.  It reminded me of another day last summer when I absent-mindedly door-blocked and felt like I should be stripped of my transit-watching duties.

What is the worst thing you've ever done on public transit?  Come on, confess.  I won't judge you.

Posted May 6, 11:41 a.m.

Top of the morning, public transit peepz.  I hope you made it to work, school or wherever you needed to go without getting CTA super soaked.  Even if you did get drenched, I think I have a commuter story that might make you feel a bit better.

Check out this sweet tale from Enjolee, who e-mailed me at goingpublic@tribune.com about a bus driver who went above and beyond the call of duty:

Not all of cta employees are bad, one day I was riding the 87th St. bus and it was around 12 a.m. and outside it was raining kittens and puppies, I knew the bus wasn't going past Western (I lived on 92nd and Kedzie) anyway, I was talking to the driver and told him i lived on Kedzie and for some reason i didn't bring an umbrella, anyway the bus makes it to Western and I get off and start walking as fast as i can because i had a looooong and wet walk ahead of me, so i start walking and get about a half of a block, when a hear a horn the cta driver turned that bus around and dropped me off the 14 blocks to Kedzie (I still had to walk to 92nd) but that was more than going above and beyond the call of duty. So to that driver thanks it's people like you that give the cta a ray of sunshine amidst all the clouds.

Your turn: Got a positive or positively awful story to share?

Posted May 6, 1:50 p.m.

I mostly receive e-mails, calls and, of course, your delightful postings about the CTA.  But from time to time, I get letters, which we rarely get a chance to run in the paper due to their length. 

A few minutes ago, I checked my mail box and saw a short and sweet note from an individual claiming to be a CTA employee who wanted to weigh in on last week's "Going Public" about spring cleaning, but said "I send this letter anonymously to you because CTA has a problem with people like me who contact the press without their permission." 

The letter-writer said that all the hub-bub about fixing up Wilson is based on it being an embarrassment to President Ron Huberman, and that there are stations much more in need of a fix-up.

I agree there are other stations in need of help.  Argyle, anyone?  In all fairness to the CTA, they told me about Wilson because I asked -- having gotten plenty of rider letters about it, not just from The Hube himself.

At any rate, I'll stay on top of the CTA about what is being fixed and when, but in the interim, what station do you want to see get a mass transit makeover?  Throw in some suggestions for improvements if you'd like...

Personally, I'd like to see Roosevelt get some nice seating on the subway level. 

Posted May 6, 10:50 a.m.

Riders, do you want the CTA to get rid of the Go Lane?  I touched on that topic during today's "Going Public" about brave new bus service. 

Personally, I think the CTA should get move all the sensors to the fare box, where they are on some buses, since having two different riders trying to pay with different media at the time obviously doesn't work. 

Don't you love when the bus operator has to summon you back to reswipe, Chicago Card/Plus users?

If the CTA does not want to admit the Go Lane is a bust, they could just slowly phase out all fare media until everything is in smart card format.  Face it: the Go Lane doesn't work unless everyone is on the same page...kinda like that check-card commercial where everyone is swiping away in a delicate dance of efficiency, until somebody shows up and wants to slowly write a check.   

Just last week, I stood behind some Captain Clueless who not only didn't have his magnetic-strip card ready,it was still in the plastic covering.  He was blabbing on a cell phone, holding a briefcase and unwrapping the transit card with his mouth (yes, his mouth) as riders with their smart cards waited impatiently behind him. 

Posted May 5, 1:19 p.m.

Are you oh-so envious of the 14 bus route riders who can look at their Internet-enabled devices and practically predict the arrival of their next bus?  Well, there are 18 more routes to be jealous of beginning May 19:

• #9 Ashland
• #X9 Ashland Express
• #X20 Washington/Madison Express
• #21 Cermak
• #44 Wallace/Racine
• #47 47th
• #48 South Damen
• #50 Damen
• #51 51st #52A South Kedzie
• #53A South Pulaski
• #55 Garfield
• #X55 Garfield Express
• #59 59th/61st
• #60 Blue Island/26th
• #63 63rd
• #67 67th/69th/71st
• #75 74th/75th

So, what's up, riders?  Are you using the bus tracker?  How is it working for you?  If you don't have it yet, and are not on this latest list (like me), tell me how badly you want it...

Posted May 5, 10:19 a.m.

Good morning, public transit peepz!  Happy Cinco de Mayo.  I know it's a warm, gorgeous day here in the Chi, but remember that we live in the Windy City.  That's why I need some help locating a lost jacket for a rider.  It's time for another "Going Public" lost & found mission.

Here's what we're looking for:

"I'm hoping someone has found my jacket. It's a light weight black with two white stripes down the sleeves. It has the Truman State University logo on the left chest. I think I lost it on the #70 bus going east around 5:30/5:45pm sunday may 4th. If you find it please let me know via email at nickfreed@gmail.com. Thanks so much!"

--Nick Freed

If you've seen this jacket, please help Nick out by e-mailing him.  Looking for something you lost?  Go ahead and post it below.

Posted May 2, 2:04 p.m.

Radiohead fans, you have just been put on notice. 

The masterminds behind "OK, Computer," want their supporters to take public transit to come see them perform live.  It's all part of the band's green initiative, according to a release sent over to RedEye.  Check out this excerpt:

Last year, the band commissioned carbon footprint analysts Best Foot Forward to calculate the carbon generated on their two previous US tours. The report showed that fans' travel to and from the shows accounted for the greatest proportion of the CO2 generated during each tour, something now widely accepted across the industry.

Following the report's recommendations, Radiohead are encouraging fans to consider public transport where available, or increased carpooling for shows outside city centers. Gig goers can compare the CO2 generated by different methods of transport by visiting an online calculator on Radiohead's website. Some of the venues have also helped by offering incentives to fans coming by public transport or in a full car.

What do you think of the band's travel requests for its fans?  Wisely co-conscious or just plain obnoxious? Tell me how you feel, then check out my green blogger buddy, RedEye's Supriya Doshi for her take on this subject.

Posted May 1, 5:03 p.m.

Ready for rhyme time on the bus?

You'd better be, if you're a Pace rider.  Today marked their first day of poetry on public transit via the TV screens aboard their buses, according to a Trib report. 

While I support literature in every format, I beg the CTA not to get any ideas from this particular concept. 

First of all, I like to read poetry, not listen to it, and to have it verbally visited upon me while I'm stuck on a vehicle...unacceptable. 

Art, after all, is a matter of individual taste.  I can think of other ways to enjoy the arts on public transit in a less in-your-face manner, such as the sculptures in some stations and poems that occupy some ad space.I even like to check out subway singing every now and again. 

How about you?  Or do you want a little rhyme with your ride?

Okay, not exactly free for all, but today is the first day that millitary personnel ride the CTA for free.  The rub: They must be in full uniform.  So, tell me how many uniforms you see on the system?  And do you think this is a wise move?

While I see value in offering those who serve our country a break in terms of bus and train fare, I'm not as sold on the senior citizens, who are also riding for free-ninety nine due to a doomsday clause from G-Rod.  I feel comfortable saying it because dozens of seniors have written to me saying they don't want the free ride, especially during strapped economic times for the CTA. 

So whaddya think?  Is CTA becoming a free-for-all, or are the deserving getting a much deserved discount?

Posted April 30, 11:30 a.m.

Hear that? 

It was the sound of bus riders everywhere sighing in relief that $153 million in federal funds will give us better, fast bus service, including such possible whizz-bang additions as kiosks at stops that allow you to pre-pay before boarding the bus. 

Goodbye to that stupid, counterproductive Go-Lane, eh, folks?

Buses could get their own extended green-light power and make fewer stops, solutions riders have been telling "Going Public" they've wanted since...I don't know...forever.  And the funding will boost the addition of more hybrid buses to the CTA fleet.

More car commuters will be kicked to the curb...to wait for the bus, that is, according to the lofty plans for this money.  Parking meters, already overcharging in my humble estimation, will get even greedier during rush hour.

So are you psyched about this shot in the arm for public transit?  Or is this just a bunch of bus-boosting baloney?