This question has nothing to do with seatless cars, Blago or the RTA. After comparing some 'L' car pictures and other cities rapid transit cars I've noticed that CTA cars have that cow-catching scoop thing completely covering the wheels from the front. What is this called and why do we have it yet other systems, i.e. New York do not?

If you'd bothered reading my posts you also would have noted that I said there are systems that have convertible/foldable seats to convert cars to standing room only.

^ Viva, that would be a great idea for Chicago.

On another note, though, I'm assuming the CTA would remove these seats in such a way that they could easily be put back in, no?

It is a snow blade. Snow piles up fast where the trains run over solid ground/embankments rather than much of it falling through the elevated structure.

I had read your post, but for some reason no one including CTA knew which ones. I think I asked that. An I know that CTA will finally put overhead bars/straps in. Never understood their apprehension to having them. For tall people the ones on the back of the seats only helps to throw us off kilter when the lurches happen.

Moving on to funding again...lol

Okay, so this isn't really a Chicago transportation development, but it's a cool photo.

This is Obama's 757 being painted at Midway Airport
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/...4abd3dec73.jpg
Photo credit: Rob Olewinski

........a 757 can land at Midway ???????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ok......let's just add "incineration" !!!!!!!! :D

Change we can believe in...

Yeah... ATA flew them for a number of years. I do believe it's the largest plane allowed, though.

I love the CTA. they do what they can at all times to let people know they care and they are trying. I might get pissed off at delays and stuff every now and then, but the fact they are trying their hardest makes me feel very good about the CTA

Today's Crains:
Transportation system needs modern-day Daniel Burnham

Just the lead-in below, nothing too exciting in the whole thing, mostly just a call for inspired leadership.

bustracker looks much much better, good job google.

according to the linked article:

Up to about 90 riders can sit or stand in each car on most standard CTA trains. By yanking out seats and eliminating the aisle, an additional 25 to 50 passengers could be crammed into each car, officials estimated.

^ So we're talking about a capacity increase of roughly 50 to 100 people per train. That's not too shabby, esp considering that it's not costing the agency a penny

is there a way i can read this whole article legally without paying for it?

Yeah, the Library———or a chain book store:)

Don't bother. It's a confused and utterly logic-free op-ed piece (not an article) saying Burnham wrote about transportation needs in the Plan of Chicago, and the railroads ignored him and did what they wanted to, and Chicago has transportation needs today, so who's the next Burnham?

And the guy knows nothing about Burnham to begin with. The parks plan didn't result in Grant Park, and the boulevards plan didn't produce Michigan Avenue.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...0,440746.story

Done four days early, not to shabby.

Last updated: July 23, 2008 10:00am
CTA Expecting $100M in Commercial Development
By Gina Kenny News Tip? | Email | Print | Reprints

CHICAGO-The Chicago Transit Authority has hired Jones Lang LaSalle, based here, to increase revenue for the transit authority by adding concessions and retail to some station locations, as well as possibly redeveloping other stations and CTA-owned property. The term of the $4.2 million contract is five years.