The "Going Public" blog has a new place and a new face. We're on the Chicago Now network, and you can find us at http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/redeye/going-public/

Feel free to post your questions and comments to that blog.

Thanks,

Tracy Swartz
"Going Public" columnist

Posted Monday, Feb. 23 at 11:15 a.m.

Okay, so it's Monday, not my fave day of the week.  You know what I'm saying.  I was perfectly prepared to hop on the No. 3-King Drive bus downtown and just half-doze my way into the office. 

I'm glad I didn't.

Because I would have missed the best. bus. operator. ever.  This woman was kind and polite to everyone who boarded.  She actually leaned over at stops and asked other patrons if they needed help reaching their destinations.  (That's right, people who weren't even getting on her bus.)  She warned riders when their stops were approaching, and she even kept an eye out for one rider's connecting bus. 

In short, this is the dream bus operator if I were to design the dream CTA.   Her name is Berretdus Thompson, and I'm going to try and shout her out in my column tomorrow.  Yes, that's how wondeful she was.  Take heed, CTA, Ms. Thompson is a keeper!

The experience got me thinking, so I want to ask you: Who was your best. bus. operator. ever?  Do tell, do tell.

Posted Feb. 18 at 1:50 p.m.

After watching, re-watching, cringing and then re-watching this video, I have to say it gives new meaning to fare collection.  What is depicted in this video is reprehensible, and appears to be yet another black eye on the Chicago police department.  (Warning, per the Trib's word, this vid is graphic and profane.)

Done cringing yet?  Now answer this: Why would an officer scream, curse at and physically attack a man over some pathetic bus fare?  Is that $2.25 really worth that kind of reaction?  Making matters worse, this video seems to depict an officer so comfortable in his actions that the scrutiny of other riders doesn't stop him one bit.

Perhaps he didn't get the memo that that there is an onboard camera on every bus.  Or maybe he is still using a SkyPager circa 1990 and doesn't realize modern technology could allow an apparent outside party to capture this craziness on video.

I had no idea Chicago police officers were so invested in fare collection.  From what I've observed, the uniformed folk board and disembark CTA buses at such speed, they don't have time to regulate too much of anything.  I don't blame them, as I'm sure they are pressed for other matters, but this dude comes off as a Transit Terminator.

Perhaps the agency's budget woes -- also top news today-- could push even "Officer Friendly" here over the edge.

Posted Feb. 10 at 5:15 p.m.

Okay, not to be a nitpick, but:

 I took a No.65-Grand bus and the heat was on. From my "Going Public" experience, I realize that the operator cannot adjust bus temperature, but great googly moogly, I nearly overheated.  Has anyone else suffered from hot-bus syndrome today?  It was such a glorious and unseasonably warm day, so I understand if the agency wasn't exactly prepared, but man!!!

On another note: What was going on during your commute today? 

Another other note: Stay tuned, I'm going to start putting up  lost-and-found items tomorrow so we can get some reunions going.

Posted Jan. 28 at 1:15 p.m.

Most "Going Public" questions and comments come via e-mail, so when someone calls me at the RedEye office, I take special notice, especially when it's a CTA employee.  Let's face it...  Due to their fear of retribution from the higher-ups, they don't exactly feel as free as we riders are to speak their public transit peace.

That's why I'm looking forward to talking to a female operator who left me a message, saying she will call me back to give me the operator perspective on some comments she has seen in the RedEye. 

Operators are often criticized, but their situation might have been worsened by the recent Tribune report about them running stop lights, essentially leaving tax-payers with the tab.  I'll let you know what happens once I find out what her bus beef is.  Stay tuned...   

Posted Dec. 16 at 12:22 p.m.

Update:  Tony Coppoletta at CTA - the Manageof External Electronic Communications is the man behind the transitchicago.com "Extreme Home Page Makeover."

Awww  yeah, it's business time.  I know I've been lazy with the posts, due to my "Going Public" and "Hey, CTA!" hustle, but I had to mention some news of the day.

The CTA has launched a new sexy-looking site.  Check it out at www.transitchicago.com.  This much more image-oriented and seemingly more navigation-friendly effort just popped up today and the CTA already sent out a press release congratulating itself for the move.  Thank you, and you're welcome.

I'll post more here later, including (hopefully) an answer to RedEye Twitterer questions about whodunnit.  In the meantime, some initial observations:

1.  Loving the merchandise that is being pimped out front on the site.  It's engaging, colorful and I support anything that helps the agency get its money right.

2.  Kudos on the Brown Line construction link.  I've been a fan of their microsite with Brown Line updates, but enough riders ask me questions about what is going on that I sensed it should be more prominent.  Done, and done.

3.  Big ups to the system alerts on the right-hand corner letting you know the service construction status on various areas of the rail. 

4.  Not liking that hokey looking holiday train image, but in all, I do think that the icons are helpful throughout the page.

Thoughts?  Do you likee?  Want to do a Mr. Blackwell-style dressdown of the site makeover? Have at it!

Posted on Dec. 3 at 12:50 p.m.

Earlier this week, I wrote a piece suggesting five sponsors for CTA stations, including the California Raisin Board for California stops and Match.com to hook up the pretty people at Armitage. 

Hey, the transit agency opened the door for some imagineering.  The CTA is mulling relationships with corporations that can essentially adopt stations and perhaps even make them into their own lil' promotional plazas.

Among my suggestions, were the St. Pauli beer folks. (Full credit for the original notion goes to RedEye Editor and Nine Line super-genius Leo Ebersole.)  I took Leo's idea to the next level, suggesting the company take over Paulina, re-christen it St. Paulina and invite their lovely spokeswoman to the station to meet and greet riders. 

Apparently, St. Pauli is up for the idea.  I heard from one of their execs saying they plan to contact the CTA about the notion.  Hopefully, it works out and adds some revenue to the CTA's lint-lined pockets.  All I ask is that no beer be sold on the public transit premises.  We've got enough problems with folks drunk-riding, no?

We'll keep an eye on this one.  Cheers!

Posted Nov. 25 at 11:38 p.m.

What's up my 95thers all the way on the southernmost tip of the Red Line?  This news is for you. Today, the CTA announced a meeting for the extension of the Red Line, and act that -- if funded -- would take the tracks down to 134th Street.  Good news for rider who have to deal with annoying feeder buses just to get to the Red Line each morning and evening.  Below are more deets on the meet. 

Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at

Thursday, Dec. 4 at

Posted Nov. 19 at 12:40 p.m.

For those of us who have had to dig for, and straighten, crumpled bills to reload cards as well as those of us who have been incensed by glitches with Chicago Card/Plus, today's exclusive story in the Chicago Tribune may give you cause for celebration.

To summarize, within a year, the CTA will enable riders to use smart credit and bank debit cards to pay for their rides.  It's kind of "Total Recall" meets "Matrix," by CTA standards, and it's all the rage in Europe. 

But given the CTA's reputation and some glitches with existing smart cards previously detailed in this blog, do you trust that this will be an improvement?  Or are you scared to touch your bank or credit card to these next-gen pads?  Tell me what you think...

Posted Nov. 18 at 12:44 p.m.

Did you feel The Hawk swooping down on you today?  Of course, you did.  Break out the gloves and scarves, peepz.  It is officially cold in the Chi.  That said, today's "Going Public" is all about construction spots that need to be up and running before it gets really bad.  Are there trouble spots you are noticing?  Got any suggestions for the CTA on how to properly winterize?  I'll pass them along.