Then get off the train. How do you not know Metra only takes cash on the train? First time your snooty north shore -ss has taken public transportation?
- Jimmy CrackCorn - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 9:45 am:
Nonplussed,
Good morning to you too Mr/s Sunshine! Take a deep breath.
I believe the Sen. was referring to the fact the conductors have to physically move through the train checking tickets. When you board at Evanston or stops in the city the chances that a conductor makes it you, between their platform duties at stops, is kind-of a toss-up. I don’t know the solution but he is right to bring it up.
Lots of much needed cash is left behind. With a GOP House in DC for the foreseeable future, big city transit funding will continue to decline.
- Nonplussed -
I assumed he didn’t pay because when the trains are packed the conductors often can’t make it thru to collect fares from everyone. I’ve had that happen to me many times.
Could be wrong, but that is how I read it…
Nonplussed, Chillax braa. Biss is probably the most intelligent person in the G.A. Harvard Grad, then PhD from MITm then taught at U of C. He also has common sense, so if he can’t figure the bizaarrrre Metra fare collecting system, that’s problem. We can swipe our credit/debit cards at gas stations and 7-11’s but we can’t do it a kiosks or via the conductors on Metra. At United center, order a beer, swipe your card…I could on and on, but Metra is operating in 1979 and Biss may be the best person to look into Metra. Biss is my senator and I like him although I’m a Right-Leaning Voter. He works hard. Twist one up and your day will get better
== Name any other mode of transport that lets you board and depart before you buy a ticket. ===
A surprising number of light rail systems (San Jose comes to mind) they use an audit method. That is they check from time to time and if you don’t have a ticket it is a $150 fine.
@Meanderthal, Yeah you’re right, Biss was the TOTAL blame for the numbers not adding up…yep, it was all him. Whatever
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:34 am:
The train moving backwards can be a little disturbing.
Not paying for the ticket, though? No excuse. It’s not complicated:
buy a ticket at a kiosk in advance
buy a ticket from a ticket agent at the station
buy a ticket online, via mail or drop slot at the main station
buy a ticket from the conductor on the train
If the conductor misses you by some odd chance? Then it’s not hard to say “Hi, I’d like a ticket please”. Conductors pass through the train cars multiple times every trip.
Metra is a mess, but failing to pay for your ticket is on you.
Also as a regular rider I can say usually if your train is backing up it is due to a switch issue..
The question I would have if I was Senator Bliss would be a simple one…
What are the disincentives for the operators (BNSF, etc) for when there are issues with their stuff (switches, etc), do they pay fines or see reduced payments when there are problems under their control (switch or signal failure for example) on their lines?
Also what % of delays are caused by Amtrak and or train vehicle/people collisions?
How do you buy a Metra ticket online? Seriously, I need to go to Elmhurst soon, so I looked to buy one online and I don’t see anything on their website about buying tickets online.
If it’s only a one-time trip, however, it might be quicker and easier to buy one at the station or on the train. IIRC, they only sell 10-rides and monthly passes online.
You can buy a ticket on the South Shore trains, too.
Maybe this is a conspiracy to keep the good Senator from the transit task force meeting? Anyone know if the aide that Gov. Christie fired for screwing with commuter traffic has landed in Illinois somehow?
Hey Dan, what’s the capital cost for enclosing all Metra stations? You need that for a ventra style. You need good signal all lines, all the way down for an on board CC system.
I ride the NW line at rush. The conductors make it all the way through. How hard is it to have a 10 dollar bill when its meeting day??
Often conductors on the Rock Island Line miss people because they are on and off before a conductor gets to them. Part of the problem is there aren’t enough places where you can actually buy tickets from an agent and then everyone who has to buy a ticket on the train is slowed down, allowing for people who get on and off without paying a fare.
- Just The Way It Is One - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 5:54 pm:
Yeah, that going backwards thing has happened to me, too, more than once on Metra. Once it was to return to a previous stop to switch tracks to get around a stalled freight train ahead–but at least the engineer had the decency to announce and explain what was happening to the patrons so we wouldn’t freak out.
In any event, it’s kind of symbolic as to how Metra has been moving over the last year or so anyhow…BACKWARDS, of course…!
Duh! I thought he drove a Hearst …the under-taker of benefits.. Oh well single agenda..solve the pension crisis regardless how many he buries in debt and distress after working hard all our life…
- ash - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 9:36 am:
Since they will ultimately receive a pension, perhaps they knew you were on board?
- Nonplussed - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 9:36 am:
Then get off the train. How do you not know Metra only takes cash on the train? First time your snooty north shore -ss has taken public transportation?
- MrJM - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 9:37 am:
“Tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward; upward, not forward; and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!”
– MrJM
- Jimmy CrackCorn - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 9:45 am:
Nonplussed,
Good morning to you too Mr/s Sunshine! Take a deep breath.
I believe the Sen. was referring to the fact the conductors have to physically move through the train checking tickets. When you board at Evanston or stops in the city the chances that a conductor makes it you, between their platform duties at stops, is kind-of a toss-up. I don’t know the solution but he is right to bring it up.
Lots of much needed cash is left behind. With a GOP House in DC for the foreseeable future, big city transit funding will continue to decline.
- Stu - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 9:45 am:
- Nonplussed -
I assumed he didn’t pay because when the trains are packed the conductors often can’t make it thru to collect fares from everyone. I’ve had that happen to me many times.
Could be wrong, but that is how I read it…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 9:56 am:
Nonplussed, Chillax braa. Biss is probably the most intelligent person in the G.A. Harvard Grad, then PhD from MITm then taught at U of C. He also has common sense, so if he can’t figure the bizaarrrre Metra fare collecting system, that’s problem. We can swipe our credit/debit cards at gas stations and 7-11’s but we can’t do it a kiosks or via the conductors on Metra. At United center, order a beer, swipe your card…I could on and on, but Metra is operating in 1979 and Biss may be the best person to look into Metra. Biss is my senator and I like him although I’m a Right-Leaning Voter. He works hard. Twist one up and your day will get better
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:07 am:
Metra is way old-school on collecting revenues.
If you’re going only a couple of stops, it’s easy to duck the conductors and ride for free. When they’re very crowded, you can get away with it, too.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:19 am:
Name any other mode of transport that lets you board and depart before you buy a ticket.
- Meanderthal - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:23 am:
This is the guy with the Ph.D in mathematics who couldn’t figure out the pension numbers were not going to add up, right?
- independent - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:25 am:
How about Portland OR, where you ride around downtown for no cost.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:26 am:
== Name any other mode of transport that lets you board and depart before you buy a ticket. ===
A surprising number of light rail systems (San Jose comes to mind) they use an audit method. That is they check from time to time and if you don’t have a ticket it is a $150 fine.
- walker - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:27 am:
He’s a regular rider, and knows what’s what.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:28 am:
As for on board payments, nice idea actually..
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:30 am:
@Meanderthal, Yeah you’re right, Biss was the TOTAL blame for the numbers not adding up…yep, it was all him. Whatever
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:34 am:
The train moving backwards can be a little disturbing.
Not paying for the ticket, though? No excuse. It’s not complicated:
buy a ticket at a kiosk in advance
buy a ticket from a ticket agent at the station
buy a ticket online, via mail or drop slot at the main station
buy a ticket from the conductor on the train
If the conductor misses you by some odd chance? Then it’s not hard to say “Hi, I’d like a ticket please”. Conductors pass through the train cars multiple times every trip.
Metra is a mess, but failing to pay for your ticket is on you.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:35 am:
Also as a regular rider I can say usually if your train is backing up it is due to a switch issue..
The question I would have if I was Senator Bliss would be a simple one…
What are the disincentives for the operators (BNSF, etc) for when there are issues with their stuff (switches, etc), do they pay fines or see reduced payments when there are problems under their control (switch or signal failure for example) on their lines?
Also what % of delays are caused by Amtrak and or train vehicle/people collisions?
I guess that is two questions.
- Chavez-respecting Obamist - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:44 am:
How do you buy a Metra ticket online? Seriously, I need to go to Elmhurst soon, so I looked to buy one online and I don’t see anything on their website about buying tickets online.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 10:46 am:
Thanks Oneman. The honor system, eh? I don’t think that’s the best business model for a 21st century transit agency, but that’s just my opinion.
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 11:09 am:
Chavez-respecting Obamist - they offer tickets online at http://store.metrarail.com/Metra/Tickets.jsp
If it’s only a one-time trip, however, it might be quicker and easier to buy one at the station or on the train. IIRC, they only sell 10-rides and monthly passes online.
- Anon. - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 11:23 am:
You can buy a ticket on the South Shore trains, too.
Maybe this is a conspiracy to keep the good Senator from the transit task force meeting? Anyone know if the aide that Gov. Christie fired for screwing with commuter traffic has landed in Illinois somehow?
- Pat C - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 12:10 pm:
Hey Dan, what’s the capital cost for enclosing all Metra stations? You need that for a ventra style. You need good signal all lines, all the way down for an on board CC system.
I ride the NW line at rush. The conductors make it all the way through. How hard is it to have a 10 dollar bill when its meeting day??
- Brendan - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 1:20 pm:
He doesn’t carry ANY cash?
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 2:25 pm:
Often conductors on the Rock Island Line miss people because they are on and off before a conductor gets to them. Part of the problem is there aren’t enough places where you can actually buy tickets from an agent and then everyone who has to buy a ticket on the train is slowed down, allowing for people who get on and off without paying a fare.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 3:46 pm:
==He doesn’t carry ANY cash?==
It’s rare that I ever have cash on me.
- Just The Way It Is One - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 5:54 pm:
Yeah, that going backwards thing has happened to me, too, more than once on Metra. Once it was to return to a previous stop to switch tracks to get around a stalled freight train ahead–but at least the engineer had the decency to announce and explain what was happening to the patrons so we wouldn’t freak out.
In any event, it’s kind of symbolic as to how Metra has been moving over the last year or so anyhow…BACKWARDS, of course…!
- Whalewatcher - Tuesday, Jan 14, 14 @ 9:00 pm:
Duh! I thought he drove a Hearst …the under-taker of benefits.. Oh well single agenda..solve the pension crisis regardless how many he buries in debt and distress after working hard all our life…