Posted June 4, 8:01 a.m.

In today's "Hey, CTA" an angry letter-writer sounded off about what he described as Securitas -- CTA outsourced security" turning a "blind eye" to fare-jumpers at the Green Line's California stop around 4 p.m. on weekdays. 

I asked the CTA about this, to make sure that this was Securitas, rather than the customer assistants that the guards are sometimes mistaken for because they too sit in the booths.  Here is what CTA spokeswoman Sheila Gregory told me about the Securitas cited in the rider letter: 

"The guard on duty functions as both a security guard and Customer Assistant.  In that capacity, when encountering an issue related to theft of service, the guard is directed to contact CTA's Control Center which takes steps to increase security at that location for a period of time in an effort to capture [the] future fare-jumper."

Hmmm, based on what the e-mailer told me, some more stepping up needs to take place.  Personally, I think we need to train Securitas in mass transit mixed martial arts or arm them with more than a proverbial flashlight.  Hey, and let's hear from the Securitas themselves...do you feel adequately equipped to do your job?

Posted March 28 2:58 p.m

I'm getting a lot of great feedback on smoking on the CTA and thanks for sending me more of the CTA Sins. Keep 'em coming.  But while we're cross-training on those topics, I have another, a mystery in fact.  Greg Simmons sent me a great e-mail suggesting that GPS may not solve bus-bunching.  Guess we'll be able to check it out when the system expands on April 7.  Mark it in your calendars.

But more interesting is Greg's conundrum on the mysterious message you get when reloading your fare card.  Check out his mystery, which I will dig into, and then give me more things that make you say "say what?" on the CTA.

"Kyra, The CTA thinks GPS units will solve bus bunching. I'm not so sure. The only way to prevent/solve bunching is to speed up the lead bus, or slow the trailer. Either option is sure to inconvenience someone. If the trail bus has so few passengers to pick up that it catches the preceding one, maybe the trailing run should be canceled? On another matter, when my fare card has less than enough for a ride (say $1.00) and I'm at a rail station to recharge it, why does the machine display the ridiculous instruction to add 5 cents minimum? Adding a nickel is not going to get me anywhere. The only reason I'm there is to ride now or fill up for a later trip. (No one goes a bunch of stations adding a nickel each time.) Why can't the machine tell me to add the amount necessary to pay for at least one ride?"

Good one, Greg. Riders, what are you wondering about?

Posted March 20 - 11:36 a.m

Not as much griping going on about the Brown Line, particularly with the CTA moving to re-open the Southport station on March 30.  But one rider isn't so happy with pacing of this capacity expansion project. 

Mary, 35, from Lincoln Square said she wanted to know what's the deal with Damen. For anyone who wants to keep in step, here's a link to the CTA's Brown Line construction phase chart.  Mary even took some photos of the currently shuttered stop.  Here's one she shared with me:

Brown Liners, are you getting impatient with the $530 million-project?  Tell me what you think about the progress?

Posted March 12 - 5:22 p.m

Yesterday, "Going Public" posted the pondering of a rider who -- like several other Green Liners-- were upset that the assistant at their 63rd Street station appeared to be on the chopping block, at least in terms of working at that stop. I checked in with the CTA to get their take on this transit mystery. A beloved customer assistant is almost an anomaly based on most rider feedback...So why move her?

Here's the official answer, as provided by CTA spokeswoman Wanda Taylor when asked if the assistant was being moved:

"Yes, but it is important to note the customer assistant has not lost her job at CTA and will be able to choose another work location. Customer assistants choose their work locations at CTA rail stations based upon the many factors that go into developing the available work schedule, including ridership. CTA’s agreement with the union allows the agency to use a security guard at stations with less than 60 passenger boardings within ½ hour for a period of three hours. The number of boardings at the 63rd King Drive station is such that CTA is choosing to assign a security guard instead of a customer assistant. The customer assistants currently working at the 63rd King Drive station will be able to choose another location based upon their seniority and available work selections during the next selection period."

So South Side Green Line riders, what do you think? Do you think you need the help of an assistant at that stop, and is boarding really as bleak as the CTA has portrayed it at the 63rd stop?

Posted March 11 - 1:50 p.m

Hullo again.  If you're just joining us, it's the first day of the full-out "Going Public" blog, and I'm jumping from subject to subject like a "Family Guy" episode.  This is a place you can talk about anything CTA-related, so, try and keep up with me, folks! This is just the beginning. Anyhoo:

From time to time, the CTA takes actions that some riders believe belong better in the "Twilight Zone." In all fairness, we don't always know what's going on behind the CTA scenes, but it never hurts to ask. So here's introducing the online cousin of "Going Public's" CTA Mysteries series.

First up: Here's a mystery going on at the Green Line station at 63rd. Several South Side riders wrote in upset because they believe a beloved customer assistant who works the morning shift is being replaced with a guard by the CTA.

Here's an excerpt of one of those e-mails:

"For some reason the CTA wants to take away our CTA personnel in the a.m. and replace her with a "guard". This person really cares about the riders, rain sleet or snow. She's not stuck in the booth, but actually giving out information, mints and passing out late slips when needed. She's making the riders a little happier before going to work or school. Isn't that what CTA wants? She's been with us for years, why change now?" Thanks, Marilyn

"Going Public" has a question out to the CTA on this, and it may take a few days to get an answer, so stay tuned. In between-time, share your mass transit mysteries below.