Sam ([info]lalato) wrote in [info]chicago_el,
@ 2008-05-07 18:23:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Some Questions...
Hey gang...
My experience on CTA is minimal. I currently commute to Lombard from Champaign every week and with rising gas prices I'm thinking of using Amtrak, Metra and CTA as an alternative.

One... when transferring from the brown line to the red line at Belmont is there a charge for the transfer. Are there charges for transfers at CTA stations in general?

Two... what's the easiest way to get from Union Station to Ogilvie? Is there an underground passageway between the two or is it mainly above ground. Just a precaution for winter.

Three... I have a folding bike (Giant Halfway). I'm thinking of using it with the commute. I assume that it's not an option on buses, but that it's OK on trains. Is this a correct assumption?

Four... Is there a stop on the green line that shares space with a Metra stop? I think they share the same raised railroad bed, but I'm not sure if their stops coincide at all.

Thanks a gazillion for all your help.
--sam

(Post a new comment)


[info]lalato
2008-05-08 12:19 am UTC (link)
Looks like the Harlem stop on Green might be the only one that shares with Metra. The power of Google is with me. Woohoo! :)

--sam

(Reply to this)

[info]darth_snarky
2008-05-08 12:29 am UTC (link)
It won't cost you anything to transfer from the Brown to the Red at Belmont--you'd just wait on the same platform for the next train (unless you're changing directions, in which case you'd just go to the platform on the other side, for free). Transferring between two train lines at the same stop is always free.

Most buses have bike racks in front. People discussed them in an earlier post here, apparently they're relatively safe, but use them at your own risk? I think you'd have to leave the bike unfolded, though.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]lalato
2008-05-08 12:36 am UTC (link)
Thanks for the info. You guys are super fast. :)

--sam

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]darth_snarky
2008-05-08 05:34 pm UTC (link)
Heh, just happened to be on LJ at the right time. You're welcome.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]bob909
2008-05-08 12:30 am UTC (link)
1) No charge at belmont, changing trains at indicated transfer stations is free, check the system map. In all other cases, the first transfer is $.25, the 2nd is free.

2) Walk, it's like 2 blocks.

3) not an issue on any transit option, but it must be in a bag for metra (as I recall). On the bus, you can put it on the front rack.

check out biketraffic.org for bike stuff and transitchicago.com for CTA, and RTAchicago.com for area wide transit info

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]lalato
2008-05-08 12:36 am UTC (link)
Thanks for the info and the links. :)

--sam

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]i_luv_popsicls
2008-05-08 12:31 am UTC (link)
There is no charge for a transfer between the red and brown lines at Belmont. The CTA rail map shows which stations feature free transfers.

Also, is it possible to mount your folding bike to the front of the bus, like a regular bike? If so, you can take it on the bus; I know bikes aren't allowed on the train during rush periods, but I am not sure if that is true for folding bikes.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]lalato
2008-05-08 12:37 am UTC (link)
Thanks for the info.

Yes, it's possible to mount it on the front of the bus. I completely forgot about the bus racks. It's really been a long time.

Thanks again,
--sam

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]firebringer
2008-05-08 12:31 am UTC (link)
One... There are no charges for transferring between trains at the same station.

Two... Walk North on the Northbound Metra platforms at Union Station. You'll come out at Amdison Ave a block East and across the street from Ogilvie.

Three... CTA busses have bike racks mounted on the front, however bikes are not allowed on the trains during rush hour.

Four... I dunno look at a map

Hope that helps.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]lalato
2008-05-08 12:38 am UTC (link)
Thanks for the info...

and I looked at a map and figured out the last stop on the green line shares with a Metra stop... or at least appears to do so on google maps. I won't know for sure until I go there.

--sam

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]firebringer
2008-05-08 12:46 am UTC (link)
You're welcome. Also, that was four questions.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lalato
2008-05-08 04:43 am UTC (link)
Yeah... I started with two and before I knew it I had more stuff come up. ;)

Thanks again for the info.
--sam

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]jamesbondsv
2008-05-09 02:09 am UTC (link)
You mean Madison St.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]firebringer
2008-05-09 04:31 pm UTC (link)
D'oh!

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]ilian
2008-05-08 12:31 am UTC (link)
1. No charge between transfers on the CTA.. ok well sometimes there is a 25cent charge, but I havnt figured out the pattern.

2. Not sure if there is an underground passage, but its a pretty damn short trip.

3. So, full side bikes are allowed on trains during non-rush hours. And all CTA busses have bike racks.

As far as folding bikes go, during non-rush hours I doubt you will have any issues bringing it inside the bus, or on the train.

During Rush-hours however, both CTA trains and busses are *extremely* crowded. Ive seen people with folding bikes try to get on a train with them during rush hour and they all have had a lot of difficulty getting on, a lot will depend on how small it will fold.

On some of the more crowded busses during rush hour, bringing any time of large luggage or folding bike on board would be just about impossible if you get on at the wrong stop.

Ride your route once and you should figure out pretty quickly how crowded it will be, most likely unless you are right at the peak of rush hour a folding bike will be fin.

4. the clinton green line stop is like a black from Ogilvie.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]lalato
2008-05-08 12:41 am UTC (link)
Awesome. Thank you. :)

I didn't bring my bike with me this week, but I'll have it next week and I'm going to try a test run with it then. I think I can avoid most of the major rush hour stuff, but we'll see.

One concern I have is rain. If I use CTA/Metra, the last couple of miles are by bike. Should be interesting to say the least. A poncho is in my future. I can feel it. LOL

--sam

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]ilian
2008-05-08 12:43 am UTC (link)
Biking in the rain can be enjoyable. Im doing a lot of it today ;)

Just get some rain gear and you are good to go.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]weezeremily
2008-05-08 04:31 pm UTC (link)
The only thing I can't figure out about riding my bike in the rain is how to keep my glasses clear. The one time I got hit by a car door was in the rain.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lalato
2008-05-08 04:48 pm UTC (link)
Ouch! I don't wear glasses, but I can still see how just wearing a poncho or some other head cover that partially blocks vision might not be good on Chicago streets.

--sam

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]chi_thirdrail
2008-05-08 01:21 am UTC (link)
Ilian: The transfer charge system is not terribly complicated.

A fare is $1.75 or $2.00, plus $0.25 for up to two transfers within two hours (available only with a Transit Card or Chicago Card).



Backstory...
You used to pay the total at the start of a trip in order to receive a transfer slip (a.k.a. "a transfer") which would allow you two more rides within two hours (albeit not on the route of origin, thus preventing a return trip on a single fare).

Today, it only deducts the transfer charge when you use what qualifies as a transfer (using your card at a bus farebox or train turnstile within two hours of a paid full fare). The third ride within two hours is simply free.

Edited at 2008-05-08 01:22 am UTC

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lalato
2008-05-08 01:46 am UTC (link)
Cool! That makes life rather easy. :)

--sam

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
one other note ...
[info]btripp
2008-05-08 03:00 pm UTC (link)
You can't get a transfer on a cash fare ... so make sure you either have one of the machine-issued paper cards or the plastic "Chicago Card" (which you have to order through the CTA) ... obviously, this is only really an issue if you start with a bus (since you'd have to get a card to go through the El's turnstiles), but I've had out-of-town friends get "nasty surprises" when they put two bucks into a bus fare box and then discovered that they were S.O.L. for a transfer!


Visit the BTRIPP home page!



(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]marlas_singer
2008-05-08 06:44 am UTC (link)
megabus from chicago to champaign is RIDICULOUSLY cheap.
www.megabus.com

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]lalato
2008-05-08 06:54 am UTC (link)
Yep. I've been looking into that too. My main concern with megabus is that if I somehow miss the bus, there isn't a mid-day option as with Amtrak.

With Amtrak it's $120 for a 10-ride pass. No muss, no fuss. No real planning required. At some point I'll end up trying megabus, but I'm taking baby steps for now.

Thanks for the reminder though. :)
--sam

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]tangomusicology
2008-05-08 03:12 pm UTC (link)
For real? Where do you see to buy the option for a 10 ride pass on Amtrak? I go home (Mattoon) a lot using the train, like this weekend for instance, and I'm paying $64 for a round trip ticket.

What'd you have to do to get a 10 ride pass?

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lalato
2008-05-08 04:03 pm UTC (link)
You can get info on Amtrak Multi-Ride tickets here...

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Hot_Deals_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1081442674015&ssid=229

A 10 Ride Ticket from CHI to MAT is $170. So that's $17 one-way. The only downside is that you have to use all 10 rides within 60 days. That's not a problem for me since I'll be using two rides per week ( also, Champaign to Chicago is $120 for 10 Rides).

Basically, if you go home 3 or more times every 60 days, it's worth it. If you only go home like once a month, it's still cheaper to buy individual tickets.

--sam

(Reply to this)(Parent)

Create an Account
Forgot your login?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…