Quincy News: Where Chicago Trounces New York: Fixing Mass Transit

Working on fixing the tracks
Alyssa Schukar for The New York Times
– News covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

Where Chicago Trounces New York: Fixing Mass Transit.

Nowhere, however, in this New York Times was there any mention as to just where the MBTA ranks. .
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In any event, all three public transit systems are century-old systems struggling to keep up with the transit demands of their host cities while concurrently plagued by crumbling tracks, antiquated signaling systems and unreliable trains that often turn routine commutes into all but interminable nightmares.
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Same old same, different day …
An MBA Excuse Generator image
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Oops …
A Lévy and Sons photo
But the difference is that the Chicago Transit Authority has made a comeback, reversing decades of cost-cutting and neglect.

The efforts have been considerable. Wicked considerable.

Nearly one-third of its tracks have been rebuilt for faster and smoother rides. Rail cars from the 1970s have been replaced with the latest models. More than three dozen stations have been overhauled, with many rebuilt into sleek, steel-and-glass outposts featuring new elevators, wider platforms, high-definition security cameras and decorative works by Chicago artists.

In turn, Chicago’s subway has become pleasantly reliable.

Typical Indonesian commute
Image from indosurflife.com
A younger fleet of 1,460 rail cars has meant fewer breakdowns. Riders no longer dread taking the L.

“We’ve had a pretty impressive turnaround,” said Joseph P. Schwieterman, a professor of public service at DePaul University.

“It’s still an old system — and we still have delays — but the problems are staying out of the headlines and that’s quite an achievement.”

The first lesson is to think big. Chicago could have taken baby steps to shore up its failing system. Instead, it embarked on a slew of ambitious projects to reimagine the L.

The otal bill? $7.2 billion since 2011.

Even so, the Chicago Transit Authority still has a $12 billion backlog of projects that is only growing because its infrastructure is “deteriorating rapidly,” according to Stephen E. Schlickman, a transportation consultant.

Chicago public transit passengers
Alyssa Schukar/New York Times image
Additionally, some riders did complain that the widespread construction to remake the L has been just as disruptive as the breakdowns. “I’ve been stuck on the tracks numerous times in the last couple years and it really makes me mad,” said Nikolina Apieczonek, 28, who has lost pay because she was late to work.

Still, Charles Paidock, 69, a transit advocate, said the promise of an improved L made the inconveniences more bearable.

“It’s things that have to be fixed,” he said. “I’m glad it’s being done and not just being neglected.”