The Chicago Transit Authority is defending its decision to reduce the length of trains on some \u201cL\u201d lines on weekends this summer, saying the practice will save money and help keep trains in better shape.<\/p>\n
The decision to reduce trains to only four cars on several \u201cL\u201d lines took some riders by surprise over the weekend and prompted gripes on social media from those who said trains were overpacked.<\/p>\n
The CTA, which has said cutting train cars on weekends was a regular practice pre-pandemic, initially said\u00a0trains would be shortened on the Blue, Orange, Brown and Purple Lines most weekends this summer. <\/p>\n
Then on Monday, the agency issued an updated service alert that said only the Orange, Brown and Purple Lines would be affected. Shorter trains are planned to run between 3:30 a.m. on Saturdays and 3:30 a.m. on Mondays. Service frequency and hours of operation will not change, according to the CTA.\u00a0Blue Line trains are expected to run at full-length throughout the summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe updated our service alert yesterday to provide clarity to Blue Line customers in light of the frequency of construction work and special events during this busy season that may impact riders,\u201d the CTA said when asked why the Blue Line had been removed from the abbreviated train program.<\/p>\n
In response to questions from the Tribune, the agency said cutting train lengths will reduce the wear and tear on train cars that can cause service delays and enable better deep cleaning of train cars. The practice will also save money on energy costs because of the reduced power needs of the shorter trains, the agency said.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not entirely clear how much money the shorter trains will save the CTA.<\/p>\n
\u201cA full system implementation of shortened trains during all off-peak windows\u201d could save up to $15 million, the agency said. \u201cAt this time, however, we are deploying shorter trains only in limited times and locations, as outlined in our service alert,\u201d the CTA added.<\/p>\n
The CTA did not immediately respond to a follow-up question about how much money the agency expected to save in actuality.<\/p>\n
The CTA noted the practice was identified as a cost-saving measure under the regional transit budgeting process last year. Landmark transit funding legislation that took effect last week<\/a> requires Chicago-area transit agencies to identify cost savings. <\/p>\n \u201cRiders have also indicated that vehicle cleanliness impacts their perception of security, and reducing wear and tear helps prevent future service disruptions that may be caused by equipment, promoting reliability across the system,\u201d the CTA said in a statement.<\/p>\n The agency indicated it would make decisions about cutting train cars on a case-by-case basis. Its updated service alert notes specifically that Brown Line trains will run at their full eight-car length on weekends \u201cwhen higher ridership is expected.\u201d <\/p>\n Regarding the Brown Line, the CTA said it would \u201ccontinue to identify instances\u201d where shorter Brown Line trains will not cause crowding.\u00a0\u201cThis approach allows us to maintain our vehicles more effectively and reduce delays caused by equipment issues, a leading cause of service delays on the Brown Line due to aging fleet,\u201d the agency said.<\/p>\n The CTA also said that it will run longer trains during \u201cmajor construction work and special events\u201d such as Lollapalooza and Pride.<\/p>\n Events in Chicago last weekend included the Pok\u00e9mon GO Fest and a U.S. soccer match against Germany at Soldier Field.<\/p>\n