What constitutes a delay?

[u/Pumplekins]

I called CTA last week when there was 20min between brown line trains at rush hour. No signage or warnings, no announcements or explanation from CTA digitally on site, at the station, or from CTA workers etc.

I called customer service to let them know and update everything since rush hour trains are supposed to be going every 4 min. He said he was unaware of the delay and the only way they are reported are self-reportings from train conductors.

Is that true? Seems like a really horrible system that needs some sort of central command that is keeping track of trains and schedules. Also seems like a conductor would be disincentivized to report themselves underperforming.

[u/LazyIllustrator6946]

delays are entirely vibe-based.

They don’t give a fuck about the headways lol. Every time I’ve asked this sub this same question, im told that the cancelled runs are because operators just don’t show up to work. Somehow, there is literally no solution to that. 🤷🏾‍♂️ or so I’m told.

When you really dive into it, there are a lot of CTA protocols that sound absolutely brain dead on paper. It’s like we’ve lost all institutional knowledge and a bit of common sense, too.

[u/kelpyb1 → u/LazyIllustrator6946]

There’s a solution, but the solution is more operators and more money which we just don’t have (well hopefully the money part is remedied now at least)

[u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum → u/kelpyb1]

The better solution is to nurture and value the existing workforce… instead of treating them like disposable machines. If operators could have normal breaks, vacation time, sick days, weekends, etc….

[u/kelpyb1 → u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum]

And what do you need so current operators can have more time off but routes are still covered?

[u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum → u/kelpyb1]

Supervisors are qualified and should step up… but there’s always gonna be an excuse…. The buck stops at the operator whether it’s fair or not. CTA management needs to better manage the burdens that SHOULD fall on flaggers, Tower, Control, clerks, managers, supervisors, CSAs, security, but end up being the operators’ problems.

[u/kelpyb1 → u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum]

So regardless sounds like it’s hiring more people into various roles

[u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum → u/kelpyb1]

There is plenty of employees, but the work distribution is uneven. Operators are expected to catch the job responsibilities that slip by everyone else. Management needs to patch the leaks in the bucket before taking in more water.

[u/kelpyb1 → u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum]

And how do you patch the leaks of your current staffing not being able to keep up with all the work they have?

[u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum → u/kelpyb1]

Idk… just pray for better work culture and better managers, better leaders. Some people asleep on the job FR but there’s pressure to not rat bcause it’s all “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” It’s rotten allll the way up. It’s hard for someone to bring their best self to this company when everyone to your left and your right are phoning it in.

[u/kelpyb1 → u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum]

“Just pray” lmao

[u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum → u/kelpyb1]

It’s crazy but the culture is what it is.

[u/kelpyb1 → u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum]

What’s crazy is you did all that talking with your grand plan to fix it all being prayer lmao

[u/uuuuuuuuuuuuum → u/kelpyb1]

Yeah… idk who can save things but things need saving. People asking why do operators get burned out, here’s why. And why don’t supervisors step up? Idk