Ultimately though I think CTA needs to take most of the liability for this even if motorman error was to blame. CTA hired and trained the motorman (motorperson) and CTA as an employer is responsible for the actions of their employees in the course of performing their jobs.

Not only that, but it wouldn't be fair or even practical to hold motormen totally responsible for negligence, at least not in a civil court. They don't have enough resources for injured passengers to recover.

Agreed, but that option is available and some lawyer will take it up no doubt. If she did not pass the drug test for any reason they will have a field day!!

The lawyer will undoubtedly sue the CTA as well as the driver, because the driver isn't worth anything and it's a waste of time for the lawyer to pursue her meager assets. You can't squeeze blood from a turnip.

Hi All,

O'Hare station is reopens again. YAY!! They already repair the damage by last week.

Now you can take on Blue Line from O'Hare station. You don't have wait for shuttle bus at the baggage claim.

I would like to take a moment of silence to mourn the closing of the Des Plaines oasis. Also, how long ago was it rebuilt/renovated/whatever?

Kevin? Is that you?

I wish my origin story were that awesome.

Knowing the CTA, that wooden stairway will remain in place for a minimum of two years.

Task force: Eliminate RTA, merge CTA, Pace and Metra
 

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sec...ois&id=9486413

Sarah Schulte

More: Bio, Facebook, News Team

March 31, 2014 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- The controversy over political clout at Metra may result in a transformation of how mass transit is run in the Chicago area.

Governor Pat Quinn's task force offered its plan for changing the bureaucracy on Monday...........

I was in my car (03/31/14) and snapped these images of steel being erected for the new station being built at Cermak for the green line.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4...D720/ry%3D480/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4...D720/ry%3D480/

The new Cermak Rd./McCormick Place Station at about 32 E. Cermak - just West of the White Castle (on THIS side of the Golden Gate Bridge), serving McCormick Place - on King Dr. at 400 E. (on the OTHER side of the Golden Gate Bridge).

Right at the door!

Looks like Rahm is not a big fan of the idea of combining CTA, PACE, and Metra:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/p...,2595022.story

Can we just let everything be combined and rebrand all transportation things Divvy blue? How cool would that be? The inside of the newer L trains are that color and I don't think it's a coincidence...thanks Gabe Klein. :notacrook:

Today is a very big day for the future of Chicago transit as today is the day that CNT and ATA launch Transit Future

http://transitfuture.files.wordpress...pg?w=620&h=327

It already has significant political backing from major players around the city including Cook County Commissioners, Labor Groups, Businesses, and Community + Civic Organizations. No solid funding mechanism yet but with enough public support that might change fast!

This better not be some cruel late April Fools joke you're pulling.

Thanks for the link. It's bold but I think it's politically weird. Why would all of Cook County tax itself to extend the Blue Line out to Oakbrook or Itasca in DuPage County?

Moreover, what's in it for the suburbs? A bunch of ART bus lines that connect one strip mall to the next? Improvements to Metra are almost completely left out of this proposal, even though the network is vast and only needs a few billion to become truly regional.

Thankfully nope, this is a legitimate effort at getting some kind of dedicated funding flowing. They even got Antonio Villaraigosa to come and stump for it!
Yeah it's probably going to be a hard sell for the suburbs outside of the Blue line/Southeast line. We might even see those axed by the time shovels are in the ground but it's better than not even suggesting them in the first place.

I like the "South Lakefront Service" with two branches -- it "could run on existing train tracks"!

Agreed. Even though this is just a vision, if it ever came to a reality, Oak Brook would fight like hell against it, even if there was a correlating higher sales tax figure at Oakbrook Center which is their main revenue source. I think the population of Oak Brook would not want a logical public transit route out from the City to their front doorstep (usually gated and guarded :yes:), as they would bring the higher crime argument to the table immediately.

I think Itasca and Yorktown Center (Lombard) might welcome it actually.....but DuPage County, if asked, would need to levy a higher tax (sales, new, etc.), and since this is touching so very little of DuPage County, if there was a referendum for approval, I bet the vast majority of votes would not approve.

And I disagree with the argument the Transit Today website makes that job centers like Naperville and Oak Brook are denying impoverished neighborhoods like the South and West sides jobs, simply because there is not a CTA connection. Those job centers attract mainly college educated/highly educated individuals, not those living in the South/West sides who are less statistically likely to hold bachelors/advanced degrees needed for employers in Oak Brook and Naperville corporate centers.

I love the idea of an O'Hare to Midway transit connection. Hopefully it would connect with METRA stations that would allow me to take the train from Hinsdale to "Station X" further east, then hop on the new airport line up to O'Hare or down to Midway.

I find it odd that the site has a "Make a Donation" link......

Logged on to post this!