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Automotive News & Views Are gas prices fueling your pain? 
10042 messages, Last post on Jul 12, 2008 at 3:07 PM
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April 16, 2008 Impatient Subway Riders Revolt in Chicago By CATRIN EINHORN CHICAGO The packed rush-hour subway train had been stopped for about an hour Tuesday morning, held up by a malfunctioning train ahead. In air hot and stuffy, the passengers had turned nervous and impatient. Ignoring pleas of transit workers, they decided to leave the train and walk through the dimly lighted tunnel toward freedom. The unauthorized evacuation, transit officials said, caused a bigger problem. Fearing that passengers could be electrocuted by the third rail, officials cut off power to part of the Blue Line, which travels a large U-shaped route between the West Side and OHare International Airport. Service was disrupted for about four hours, and more than a thousand passengers had to be helped off several trains. If those particular passengers had not self-evacuated, we could have gotten people out on trains and restored service much sooner, said Ron Huberman, president of the Chicago Transit Authority. Esmeralda Cuevas, 26, who works as an administrative assistant, was on the train immediately behind the stalled one when she saw a few people walk by a window of her car. I felt a sense like I want to be with them, Ms. Cuevas said. I was impressed with their courage. I thought, I can stay in here with these people and feel hot and uncomfortable, or I can start walking. Walk she did. So did an undetermined number of other passengers from a total of four trains, who forged ahead despite intercom announcements asking them to return. About two hours after her ordeal began, Ms. Cuevas emerged from the subway crying, dirt on her hands and face. An executive at her office advised her to avoid the subway for a few days and take cabs. Since he did not offer to pay, she said, she plans to take the train, but on an elevated line. You can have your big cities and Mass Transit. I will take the peace and quiet of the country and my Sequoia. I don't care if gas is $20 per gallon. I just will consolidate my trips.
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Replying to: gagrice (Apr 16, 2008 8:31 am) "Making a Mountain Out Of A MoleHill - By Gary" For every instance like this - (what, once or twice in a transit system's history?) there are MILLIONS of people who take mass transit without incident and save themselves tons of money and time and frustration in the meantime. There are hundreds of millions of riders every year who never see ANY sort of interruption of their commute. Mass Transit is not an experiment. It's a proven system which saves millions of people dollars and minutes every year worldwide. It's not perfect, but it's safer than riding in a car. And it's easier on the transportation dollar, USUALLY. And it's much better for pollution control. |
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Replying to: gagrice (Apr 16, 2008 8:31 am) Not sure if this is really a case against mass transit.... I suppose the next time there is a major accident on a Cali highway on a foggy day we can say "see, that's why cars are a bad idea." I live in a city, and appreciate the benefits of both city living AND mass transit... and I greatly enjoy my car, and drive way more than the national average. I also enjoy ex-urbia. Both venues work, different folks, different strokes. |
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Replying to: larsb (Apr 16, 2008 9:04 am) Put it this way, a few years ago the CTA was supposed to put out a bus schedule showing times and routes, what a joke!! First, the buses didn't (and still don't really) follow a time schedule except when the weather is anything but perfect. Then the go from late to very late. Second there was a budget gap so the schedules never made it out. The L-trains are kind of on a schedule but you just need to be on the platform around a certain time to catch it. RTA is better in terms of schedules but once you get into suburbia they really don't run long or convenient routes; mostly between malls and shopping centers. |
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Replying to: jae5 (Apr 16, 2008 9:46 am) I live near DC but have never taken the Metro. However in talking to people that have their overall impression is favorable. I know that ridership has gone up with gas prices. On top of that trying to commute in your own car via the DC beltway is far from pleasant or convenient.
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Replying to: tpe (Apr 16, 2008 10:21 am) Now in all honesty, I could have driven down to the convention center faster than the train got us there. But it was nice getting off right there at the convention center, and not having to hunt around trying to find a place to park. I'd definitely use the Metro again, if it's convenient for me. |
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Replying to: jae5 (Apr 16, 2008 9:46 am) I have used both San Fran and Phoenix mass transit dozens of times, and for the most part everything was on schedule and problem-free. Canonizing Mass Transit because of one incident or another is a silly thing to do, IMHO. Like another poster said - does a shutdown freeway during rush hour mean that personal vehicle commuting is not a good idea and should not be used? The answer is obvious. No system is perfect, but then you have to weight the pros and cons - and in almost every case, the overall "PROS" for mass transit IN GENERAL come out ahead. Mass Transit as a personal way to get to and from work is not for everyone. But the millions of riders who use it certainly appreciate it being an option for them.
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Sounds like a good place to work, but the service isn't too good. Now not to be biased, the roads are no better in Boston. Thus I avoid it when possible. http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2008/02/22/columns/columns06.txt As gagrice said; you're better off out of the city, have your own land and your own transport. I live and work in a city of 20,000, and have a 4 mile commute. |
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...it already is almost upon us. Just filled all three cars today - the Park Ave, girlfriend's LaCrosse, and the new Caddy. Sunoco Ultra is an absurd $3.539 and regular is a not much less reasonable $3.279. It's expensive to maintain a fleet.
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Replying to: tpe (Apr 16, 2008 10:21 am) I've taken the DC Metro when visiting relatives and really enjoyed it. I don't know how it would be for commuting to work though. The problem with mass transit, at least outside of major metropolitan areas, is acessability. I live in a suburban area in upstate NY where there is no passenger rail for local travel. The nearest bus stop is 11/2 miles away. If you are over 40 or if it's raining or if it's -10 degrees that means public transit is non-existent. This I think is why mass transit will always be a second choice for many. |
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Automotive News & Views Are gas prices fueling your pain?
