Posted March 18 - 12:11 a.m

Today's "Going Public" focuses on the general manager of the 74th Street bus garage, Jeanette Martin, who outlined a view of a brave new (and accountable) CTA.  But we couldn't get my entire diary into the column, so here's some more CTA scoop courtesy of Martin, who lives in the Beverly/Morgan Park 'hood. She's pictured on this page working on a bus, a task she said she undertook when she took over the garage about two years ago.  "I wanted to learn as much as I could," Martin told me of her mass transit mechanic act.

Worst part of the j-o-b: The hours are long, rider calls can be curt, and kudos are few and far between.  Martin said riders gave it to her good when the No.8-Halsted bus, which she now says is performing better, bunched like nobody's business. "Whew, girl," Martin said, fanning herself as if she were in the hot sun.  "They did not let UP."

Best part of the j-o-b: The new attitude Martin said she sees at the CTA. Martin said that prior to its new leadership, the agency got stuck in a time warp. "People were doing things not because they worked, but because that was the way we traditionally did it," Martin said, explaining that her garage recently piloted a more frequent, deeper-cleaning program that will be rolled out systemwide, as part of this new regime. "I'm glad with new leadership, we are open to trying new things."

A fun fact: Martin said that when she began at the garage about two years ago, she really wanted to know what she was doing. So, the bus garage general manager actually took some tools and worked on CTA buses alongside mechanics. "How can I tell someone what they need to do if I can't do it myself," Martin asked, as she proudly showed off her mass transit mechanic photos.

A sad fact: Absenteeism, or operators who don't show up and can throw off the schedule, continues to be a problem.  One, Martin said, she hopes to solve soon.  "When we see a pattern, we call them in for a chat," Martin said, adding that they must conduct this procedure to the letter due to union rules.  "We are not nasty, or talk to them any old kind of way.  But we want people to be proud of their jobs, and to do them right. They've got to show up." 

Tell me: Got any more questions about bus garages?  Want me to get more answers out of Jeanette Martin? Ask or comment away, and let's get to the bottom of bus service.

Oh my Jesus!!!! I'm reading this crap and I can't believe my eyes. Your day with 74th st gararge Jeanette Martin. 1st off I'm an operator who is so tired of the bs these managers are feeding the public. The #8 Halsted my beloved route, yes I can admit that there has been problems with the street, but not just because of bus bunching. Did Ms Jeanette let you know about the raggedy equipment the 74th st garage provides the operators with, (ITS THE ONLY GARAGE IN THE SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY NEW BUSES. IS THAT BECAUSE IT MAINLY SEVICES THE ROUTES IN THE ENGLEWOOD COMMUNITY AND DOES'NT GO DOWNTOWN? BUT THATS ANOTHER STORY.) not only that, during certain times of the day areas of Halsted are so congested that by the time you reach North Ave you've lost a lot of time and the bunching begins. Did she explain that when a operator gets to the end of the line you can barely take a pee break cause of lost time and complaing passengers are talking so much. Damn the operators are human also and would like to be treated as such. She stated that absenteesim is a problem well if the CTA provided their employees with sick time (yes I said it! we do not have sick time)there wouldn't be so much of a problem. So in the mean time you have to do what you gotta do. And as for workers calling off its always someone in the wings to fill the routes, we have plenty of employees who would love to work extra, but instead of filling the runs and paying overtime, the managers instuct the routes to be held in resulting in a delay of service, and mad ass passengers. See I can't stand when they tell the reporters half ass stories. I'm sure you wasn't told that. Now for the treatment some of the managers forget where they came from, some started as operators and some just came from who knows where and are as dumb as a box of rocks, and they try to talk to you like your nothing and treat you like horse dookie. Nevertheless when you get what you give. And if the company took the time to address its employees questions and concerns,CTA would resolve a lot of its issues and run a lot smoother.

"GOING PUBLIC" SAYS: Thank you so much for weighing in, Smooth Operator. I spent one day there, but you -- of course-- have the better inside perspective and I'm glad you shared your opinions of the real problems. And hey, this forum is for anyone involved with or riding the CTA, so keep giving us the gut checks and feel free to encourage other employees to do the same.

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