CTA
CTA on Oct. 1 marked its 78th anniversary by bringing out two cars from its Heritage Fleet to serve riders on the inner loop. The 4000-series cars were built by the Cincinnati Car Company in 1923 and ran through 1973. They feature the orange-and-brown paint scheme they wore in the 1940s and are adorned with reproduction advertisements from the era.
According to CTA, the steel bodied cars have wooden interior floors, cushioned seats, and electrically controlled pocket doors. They are outfitted with sash windows riders could open and a collapsible cab the motorman would operate from.
“Initially, these cars would have a conductor who would stand outside, between each car and open the doors immediately adjacent him at every stop—rain or shine or blizzard,” according to CTA. “Later, the cars were upgraded to allow for all the doors to be open from one place, but conductors still generally did this from outside the cars.”
While today’s cars can easily reach CTA’s systemwide speed limit of 55 mph (and frequently do on many lines), these 4000-series cars tended to max out around 45 mph, according to the transit authority.
“Transit services by our predecessors date back to the late 1850s, with the first horse-drawn streetcar service operating south on State Street from downtown,” according to the CTA. “Since those days, local transit in Chicago has been provided through a variety of cable cars, electric streetcars, elevated railways, and subways and many types of buses, all of which have been a part of the important role transit has played in the Chicago and its region’s development, by linking people, jobs and communities. The CTA you ride today is an independent government agency incorporated by the State of Illinois. The first services operated under the CTA name ran in October 1947 when we acquired the then-private Chicago Rapid Transit Company (elevated and subway lines—the ‘L’ system) and the Chicago Surface Lines (which ran streetcars and buses), followed later by the acquisition of the Chicago Motor Coach company (buses). This consolidation formed one, unified public transit system whose services became complementary to each other. In fact, many of the services we provide today are descendants or evolutions of those once provided by these three companies, around which the city and its many neighborhoods grew. Today we operate a fleet of more than 3,300 railcars and buses, which operate over 1,500 miles of bus and ‘L’ routes. On a typical weekday, our modern fleet travels about 380,000 miles, providing roughly 1.6 million rides to the people of Chicago and 35 neighboring communities.”
WTTW, the Chicago PBS station that covered the CTA anniversary, noted that it “comes as Chicago-area transit systems face a $770 million fiscal cliff next year that could lead to drastic service cuts on the CTA, Pace and Metra.” Over the summer, “$74 million in funding was reallocated to the CTA, which is projected to hit its fiscal cliff first, in an effort to delay service cuts, according to the Regional Transportation Authority.”
The media outlet reported that state legislators, “who failed to pass a transit funding bill during their previous legislative session, are expected to try again in the fall,” and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker “told reporters in July he’s confident legislation will pass to address the fiscal cliff facing Chicago-area transit agencies.”
MDOT MTA
MDOT MTA on Oct. 1 reported the implementation of a policy to ban individuals who commit physical or verbal assaults against riders or employees. Supported by legislation enacted this year, the agency said it will begin to issue permanent or temporary bans across all modes including Local Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train, Commuter Bus and Mobility. The agency also reported launching the Elerts SeeSay® mobile app, enabling riders to “discreetly” report safety concerns and communicate in real time with the Maryland Transit Police. The app is available for free download in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or on the MTA website at mta.maryland.gov/safety.
The Elert SeeSay® platform is a safety communication tool used by other transit agencies across the U.S., including MBTA, DART, SEPTA, CATA and BART, according to MDOT MTA. “While riders are strongly encouraged to report safety concerns immediately to transit operators and station attendants, the SeeSay® app allows riders to report concerns in multiple ways: directly through the app, via text to 410-888-0675 or through an online form on the MTA’s website www.mta.maryland.gov,” the agency said.
Beginning Oct. 6, app users may submit photos or videos when reporting a safety concern. Each report is routed to Maryland Transit Police dispatch staff for review and response. The app integrates geo-location technology to provide MTA police dispatchers with the rider’s precise location, which MDOT MTA said allows for a “faster and more accurate response.”
The agency’s Code of Conduct, “Rules of the Ride,” was issued in August and outlines what MDOT MTA said are “clear expectations for behavior while on buses, trains and in stations.” The Code of Conduct is organized into three categories of behavior:
- “Courteous Conduct: Everyday respectful actions that contribute to a safe and comfortable environment for everyone. This includes keeping seats accessible, speaking at a low volume, using headphones when listening to audio content, and being mindful of others.
- “Prohibited Conduct: Actions not permitted on MTA property or vehicles. Examples include smoking, vandalism, carrying concealed weapons illegally, and disruptive behavior.
- “Bannable Conduct: Unlawful acts that will result in a ban. This includes any type of assault—physical or verbal—threats, sexual harassment, or fighting against an MTA employee, another passenger, or anyone else on MTA property.”
Enforcement of the Rider Code of Conduct and the policy to suspend or ban individuals who violate the code will be conducted by the Maryland Transit Police, according to MDOT MTA. “If a rider is banned, they will receive formal notice of suspension or banning, as well as the process to appeal,” it said.
The agency is sharing information about the Code of Conduct and enforcement policy on its website, social media and through announcements on buses, trains and at stations.
“Our riders and employees deserve to feel safe every time they take transit,” Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold said. “By holding accountable those who commit assaults and by providing riders with a new tool to report concerns, we are reinforcing our commitment to a safe and respectful transit experience.”
TransLink
More Metro Vancouver employers are offering transit as a benefit to employees, to ensure their staff’s commute is easier and more affordable, according to TransLink, which is responsible for planning, financing, and managing transportation modes and services in the region. Among those services: British Columbia Rapid Transit Company, Coast Mountain Bus Company, and West Coast Express.
The agency on Oct. 1 reported that more than 50 organizations are now participating in its Transit-Friendly Employer program, with nearly 15,000 employees receiving subsidized Compass transit passes.
Through the program, employers can cover half the cost of a monthly or Stored Value Compass Pass. Certified employers can display the exclusive “Transit-Friendly Employer” stamp on their websites and job postings to help attract talent and highlight their commitment to a cleaner environment.
According to TransLink, “Canada’s first-of-its-kind” Transit-Friendly Employer program launched in 2022. To be eligible for the program, large employers (defined as having 200 or more staff) must have at least 10% employee participation and small employers (fewer than 200 staff) must meet at least 25% participation.
Among the 54 participating organizations, 21 are large employers and 33 are small employers, TransLink reported. Participants include YVR Vancouver Airport Authority, Lush Handmade Cosmetics, Vancouver Coastal Health, Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Rivian Automotive, Herschel Supply Co. Canada, Melanie Auld Jewelry, and Grouse Mountain. A full list of participating organizations is available at translink.ca/transitfriendlyemployer.
“The Transit Friendly Employer program highlights how vital transit is to the success of our region,” said Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink. “By supporting workers and connecting communities, we’re helping build a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone.”
“The TransLink Transit-Friendly Employer program is immensely valuable to surrounding communities as well as Rivian employees in Vancouver,” commented Tim Waldrop, Senior Manager, Commute & Mobility Programs, Rivian Automotive. “Programs like Transit-Friendly Employer help to keep costs low, reduce traffic congestion and emissions, and provide a safe and efficient alternative to drive-alone commutes.”
