Chicago Transit Authority considers ripping out seats to pack in more people

[marmar]

from the Sun-Times:



CTA considers ripping out seats to pack in more people
CTA CATTLE CARS? | With the number of passengers on the rise, CTA considers packing 'em in by ripping out seats on buses, L cars

July 17, 2008

BY MARY WISNIEWSKI
Transportation Reporter [email protected]



Mooooo!

CTA L cars could become more like cattle cars if the transit agency goes ahead with plans to remove seats on some L cars in the next few months to squeeze in all the riders leaving their cars home and turning to mass transit.

That's one idea under consideration to deal with soaring ridership prompted by high gas prices.

The CTA also could make some trains short runs that would cover just the busiest stretches, to accommodate more passengers at rush hour. For instance, a southbound Blue Line run might start at Jefferson Park, instead of O'Hare.

The transit agency -- which said Wednesday it saw a 6.9 percent increase in passengers last month -- is considering removing seats on busy bus routes, too.

The CTA says such steps are being weighed because it can't afford to buy more train cars and buses without a new capital-spending bill from legislators in Springfield.

The CTA attributes most of the increased ridership to fast-rising fuel prices. It also estimates that perhaps one-tenth of the additional riders are seniors who have ridden free, under a new law, since March 17. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1060686,CST-NWS-cta17.article