SkyscraperPage Forum

SkyscraperPage Forum (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/index.php)
-   Transportation (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=25)
-   -   CHICAGO: Transit Developments (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101657)

VKChaz May 18, 2024 6:33 PM

fyi:
APTA 4th quarter ridership report

The Public Transportation Ridership Report is a quarterly report of transit passenger ridership for U.S. and Canadian transit agencies. The report includes quarterly and year-to-date estimated unlinked transit passenger trips for the current and previous year by transit mode. In addition, agency specific ridership is provided for participating transit agencies. Reports are published approximately 60-75 days after the end of the quarter.

https://www.apta.com/research-techni...ership-report/

https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uplo...rship-APTA.pdf

Busy Bee May 19, 2024 4:48 PM

For no particular reason...

I wish Cta would go back to the classic white, lime and pine paint scheme... It looked so good... Chicago transit fans have been saying for years the '76 derived patriotic scheme took Chicago from distinctive to "anywhere USA."
I couldn't agree more and really wish Cta would do something different. Who knows, maybe if this superagency idea gains traction, a Cta refresh might be in the works.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/04AAA...v/s-l1600.webp
linky dinky

OhioGuy May 21, 2024 12:42 AM

The Peterson/Ridge infill station on the UP North line finally opened today.

Video Link

lakeshoredrive May 22, 2024 6:02 PM

Possible Western BRT development happening

WrightCONCEPT May 24, 2024 6:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crawford (Post 10201505)
So I was just watching a video clip of the new CTA chief. Holy sh-t. We are so screwed in the U.S. when it comes to transit.

The second largest transit system in the U.S. is going to be run by a prosperity preacher who apparently doesn't know jack sh-t about the agency or transit, and proudly proclaims he's now blessed to drive his car. Someone save us.

Can we please have transit experts, not preachers, run transit agencies? Is that asking too much? Can the position be something other than a political patronage job?

Sounds like this can turn into SEPTA outside of Philadelphia which will make things worse than they currently are.

SolarWind May 27, 2024 4:59 PM

Damen Green Line Station - Lake Street and Damen Avenue
 
May 6, 2024














ardecila May 29, 2024 3:10 PM

They have 12 weeks to get this station open before the DNC at the United Center... clock is ticking.

sammyg May 31, 2024 10:50 PM

The Clinton station was closed for testing for around 12 weeks even after everything was complete. This will just sit there during the DNC looking impressive but unable to be used.

VKChaz Jun 2, 2024 4:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyg (Post 10216169)
The Clinton station was closed for testing for around 12 weeks even after everything was complete. This will just sit there during the DNC looking impressive but unable to be used.

I would think the city would be happy to have the site less accessible to the public

ardecila Jun 3, 2024 2:38 PM

I'm guessing they open the station temporarily during the convention, maybe with some barricades and temporary fare equipment then close it again to do punchlist. Seems unlikely they can get everything done by August.

Randomguy34 Jun 9, 2024 7:47 PM

Metra is working on a Systemwide Network Plan to support Metra's transition to a regional rail system. They emphasized the study is focused on infrastructure investments for local service rather than to the suburbs (like the STAR Line): https://chi.streetsblog.org/2024/06/...-metra-meeting

Some ideas on the table include trains every 15 minutes on some lines, through-running service, and service to O'Hare & Fulton Market. Some of these ideas aren't new, but what is new is potential service to Midway Airport. The only two options I can see being possible is if Metra extended the Heritage Corridor (which would add additional congestion to Union Station), or revived some version of the Midcity Transitway.

https://activetrans.org/sites/active.../lime_line.jpg
https://activetrans.org/blog/lime-li...t-to-west-side

Nouvellecosse Jun 9, 2024 9:42 PM

What are the main barriers to increasing Metra rail frequency? Is it just the North American classic of freight operators not allowing enough track access? Or are there unique local challenges?

IrishIllini Jun 14, 2024 12:47 AM

Why can't we just start with a N/S line under Ashland or Western? Even Damen. Most everything Metra could do is too far west to make any meaningful difference and the circle line isn't much better.

Crawford Jun 14, 2024 2:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse (Post 10222081)
What are the main barriers to increasing Metra rail frequency? Is it just the North American classic of freight operators not allowing enough track access? Or are there unique local challenges?

A lot of the Metra corridors are potentially pretty high capacity. There are 3 and 4 track corridors that I imagine could handle both increased freight and passenger, in tandem. But that obviously costs a lot of money, and not sure if there's currently anything near the ridership demand.

k1052 Jun 14, 2024 4:09 PM

Buy more battery trains and run 15 minute headway service to Davis on UP-North. Install a crossover just south of the station and partially reactivate the west most track as a stub at the station.

Crawford Jun 14, 2024 5:16 PM

I'm pretty sure the heaviest present Metra service is on the Naperville line. They have the highest frequencies and biggest passenger loads. Pretty sure it's three tracks most of the way, too.

The South Shore electric main line has the highest capacity (four tracks) but I don't think ridership is great.

VivaLFuego Jun 14, 2024 6:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randomguy34 (Post 10222044)
Some of these ideas aren't new, but what is new is potential service to Midway Airport. The only two options I can see being possible is if Metra extended the Heritage Corridor (which would add additional congestion to Union Station), or revived some version of the Midcity Transitway.

Or just any opportunities for improving connectivity with the Orange Line - potentially 16th/Clark if the 'crossrail' concept is built.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse (Post 10222081)
What are the main barriers to increasing Metra rail frequency? Is it just the North American classic of freight operators not allowing enough track access? Or are there unique local challenges?

It varies quite a bit by route - whether Metra owns the ROW or not, and whether there are conflicting freight movements. The ME, RI, and MD lines are owned by Metra and are generally easiest to expand service, but will still have limits due to scheduling, infrastructure, staffing, etc. as well as some coordination conflicts for crossings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crawford (Post 10225777)
The South Shore electric main line has the highest capacity (four tracks) but I don't think ridership is great.

ME ridership has suffered pretty drastically over the past 15-20 years with a combination of general continual economic decline in the South suburbs and Metra fare increases. Recent fare policies and the re-scheduling to provide ~20 minute service to Hyde Park helped stabilize the decline.
https://www.rtams.org/ridership/metra/lines

Busy Bee Jun 14, 2024 6:26 PM

I had an old friend that used to travel from Kankakee to University Park to downtown on ME and then to DePaul four days a week. Now that's a shitty commute. I just looked up and saw that Kankakee suspended their Univ Park shuttle.

Nouvellecosse Jun 14, 2024 6:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crawford (Post 10225420)
A lot of the Metra corridors are potentially pretty high capacity. There are 3 and 4 track corridors that I imagine could handle both increased freight and passenger, in tandem. But that obviously costs a lot of money, and not sure if there's currently anything near the ridership demand.

Would be great if that capacity could be put to good use. Might work if they bought a fleet of DMUs for off-peak services.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VivaLFuego (Post 10225842)
It varies quite a bit by route - whether Metra owns the ROW or not, and whether there are conflicting freight movements. The ME, RI, and MD lines are owned by Metra and are generally easiest to expand service, but will still have limits due to scheduling, infrastructure, staffing, etc. as well as some coordination conflicts for crossings.

Oh that's interesting. I wasn't aware that Metra owned any of the corridors.

ardecila Jun 17, 2024 2:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crawford (Post 10225777)
I'm pretty sure the heaviest present Metra service is on the Naperville line. They have the highest frequencies and biggest passenger loads. Pretty sure it's three tracks most of the way, too.

The BNSF is all three tracks to the end in Aurora and was optimized for high speeds during the streamliner era. There's a reason they call it the "Racetrack". A fourth track has been contemplated, but the wealthy NIMBYs in western suburbs will fight that tooth and nail, similar to LIRR's Main Line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse (Post 10225883)
Would be great if that capacity could be put to good use. Might work if they bought a fleet of DMUs for off-peak services.

Metra is rolling out battery EMUs on Rock Island in a few years and they are open to using that rolling stock on other parts of the system if they can work the kinks out. I'm skeptical that battery technology will be reliable enough for Chicago winters, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by k1052 (Post 10225699)
Buy more battery trains and run 15 minute headway service to Davis on UP-North. Install a crossover just south of the station and partially reactivate the west most track as a stub at the station.

Any "regional rail" overlay service should go to the North Shore, which historically had the interurban as well as CNW commuter service. It's low density but at least highly walkable, and there's been a trickle of new housing developments in those downtowns too. If you're just going to where the density cuts off, I would suggest Wilmette as the terminus, but you could go all the way to Lake Forest before there is any kind of freight conflict.


All times are GMT. The time now is 5:43 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.