justalurker66 wrote:CTA Gray Line wrote:I have just discovered this forum,
Apr 30 2006 Visit the CTA Gray Line Project
Sep 1 2006 September Metra Board of Directors Meeting
Oct 13 2006 RTA Moving Beyond Congestion Community Workshops
Welcome back.
I apparently just "re"-discovered this Forum, I had honestly forgotten it (I am an heir to Alzheimer's with many, many irons in the fire); Thanks for the Welcome
There are so many problems with the proposed operations, facilities and costs that the politics are barely a part of it. The operational problems of bottlenecks north of 11th Place and at the newly designed Kensington. The operational problems of being able to maintain the headways you propose. The facilities problems of separating Metra and CTA fare zones with separate new platforms and the understated cost of doing it all while collecting less per passenger in fares.
North of 11th Place the east track would be upgraded for service operation, with a new exit platform for Metra and NICTD trains at Van Buren; upgrading of the Interlocking south of Randolph, and modifications to the Millennium Park station. The original Illinois Central Electric Suburban service ran FAR closer headways (along with South Shore trains intermixed) than anything proposed for the Gray Line/Metra/NICTD operation; upgraded signaling, coupled with future Federally mandated PTC should be able to handle the increased headways.
At no point would CTA and Metra/NICTD trains share platfrom facilities, outside of downtown Metra/NICTD trains would only stop in Hyde Park at a new free access 59th St./UoC platform extending north from a joint 59th St. station house to an ADA ramp down to 57th St & the MS&I. CTA Gray Line trains would stop at a barrier-controlled platform over the Midway from 59th to 60th St's. The joint CTA/Metra/NICTD Station House at 59th would have 24 hour concessions like 7-11, McDonald's, Walgreen's, and a Police office to serve the University of Chicago and area residents.
I will not attempt to describe all the changes and modifications involved in one post - but I will continue to answer questions issued promptly - and to my best ability
I doubt it will take three years to disect the proposal and understand the proposal's true worth.
I don't believe it will work. I would like to figure out using real numbers and simulations how close one could get to your dream but there is no way that the Gray Line as you propose would be able to made a reality for the price you have put forth. Perhaps those are 1998 dollars? Even so, building and running a railroad isn't cheap
I requested Operating Cost information for the Electric District from Metra under the FOIA, they said that they didn't separate out the cost of operating the MED from the overall operating cost of the entire Metra system (obvious b/s - but it effectively stopped me dead in my tracks, any suggestions?).
I am a minimum wage ($8.25 ph) Gas station Cashier, up to now I have not been able to afford a Consultant Level Economic Analysis & Study - just promote my idea;
but starting next month my SS benefits begin, and I will be able to afford to do many more things.
In particular - to induce Public support, I will be able to publish and distribute 1,000's of Gray Line fliers per month throughout the South Side;
I have seen many times that the bright colors really attract a lot of attention - everybody wants one, and they really pay attention to what's written:
http://www.box.com/s/jpjnph9bx7zsn13hbmnl http://www.box.com/s/mczvizga9h7kquf0qcsd
Mike Payne | CTA Gray Line Project
http://bit.ly/GrayLineInfo