Let me share some impressions of my ride on the Chicago L Orange and Blue lines on my trip to a convention early December 2015, if you may.
In context and perspective, I've studied the L off the Chicago-L.org site and thought "Hey, if I ever get to Midwest Furfest, I'll try to get there via the L." Well, Baltimore's a major hub for Southwest, and they go to Midway. The convention is near O'Hare. Yep, I'm taking the L... but I'm more familar with WMATA's Metrorail and MTA Maryland's Metro subway system (I will refer to MTA Maryland as MTA here).
So, my first impressions:
In context and perspective, I've studied the L off the Chicago-L.org site and thought "Hey, if I ever get to Midwest Furfest, I'll try to get there via the L." Well, Baltimore's a major hub for Southwest, and they go to Midway. The convention is near O'Hare. Yep, I'm taking the L... but I'm more familar with WMATA's Metrorail and MTA Maryland's Metro subway system (I will refer to MTA Maryland as MTA here).
So, my first impressions:
- WTF? Chicago's using Cubic terminals for putting out Ventra cards! They're the same ones used for MTA's systems. Granted, they're not delivering paper tickets but daaaamn. Same OS and everything!
- These turnstyles don't work with baggage. I only had one large travel bag (due to con-related reasons that made the news in 2014). I ended up lifting it over as I went through. I shudder to think how folks could get the bags through the full length turnstyles on the Loop stations. Baltimore and DC use clamshell style at all entrances.
- Thankfully, there are elevators... but I wish the signage were bigger and consistent!
- The subway cars are *short* but given the history and Loop, are forgiven.
- The Blue Line sub-surface stations need to be expanded drastically. The middle platforms are basically as big as DC's side platforms... and they got I-Beams through it to cut the space down further!!! TINY! To show how spoiled I am, Baltimore's Charles Center station has a center platform wide enough to fit a L car lengthwise.
- Tap to enter, but no tap to exit. DC and Baltimore are tap for both. DC has a variable system. Baltimore just wants to make sure you're out of the system. Chicago I think just wants your money.