It’s been a rough week for the CTA.
A gas leak at the Jackson Blue Line station that forced commuters to evacuate late Friday morning marked the end cap to a week of reroutes, delays or other service interruptions suffered by the Chicago transit system, including a collision between two trains.
Visited Chicago this week. The last 48 hours have involved a train collision and a bomb threat on the brown line (my commute). I’d like to go back to New York and the MTA now please.
— Anne Heestand (@AnneHeestand) September 25, 2019
The disruption that impacted the most lines was caused by a bomb threat Wednesday afternoon, halting Orange, Green, Purple, Blue, Brown and Pink Line trains at Clark/Lake. After evacuating trains and causing a major headache for evening commuters, the threat was determined to be unfounded.
when you walk in the @cta station and the station worker says "no trains there's a bomb threat!" pic.twitter.com/4PSP1FFRp6
— Lennon Murphy (@realLennonM) September 25, 2019
The day before, Purple and Brown Line trains collided at Sedgwick station in Old Town, causing delays that morning. Fourteen people were taken to hospitals in good condition. A CTA spokesperson said the cause of the crash is under investigation.
Class getting cancelled is neat, but not when it's because of a train collision. That a bit more un-neat.
— DeMarco Scarnegie (@DaMarco1515) September 24, 2019
As if Tuesday’s train collision wasn’t enough, authorities got a call about a “chemical odor” that same morning at Grand station on the Red Line, and a hazmat team was sent to the scene, evacuating and shutting down the station for a few minutes. A sergeant was taken to the hospital over concerns that he may have inhaled a chemical.
the redline was rerouted bc there was a fire/hazmat issue, the blue line was having troubles which led to delays, and a brown line hit a purple line derailing the first car this morning. just chicago things @cta.
— Elizabeth (@lizconnorss) September 24, 2019
On Monday, a person was on the tracks near 47th Street Station on the Red Line. Trains stopped in both directions in the afternoon and resumed with residual delays nearly half an hour later.
Plenty of riders were inconvenienced by the many delays, reroutes and stops, and they had no problem complaining about it.
Chicago: I just want to go to/from work in a reasonable amount of time.
— okie (@okieswitch) September 26, 2019
CTA this week: pic.twitter.com/35zxOKB4Ib
Thanks CTA I just wanna know how the hell you rear end another train
— Ajdin773_ (@x_ajdin773_x) September 24, 2019
Raise your hand if you've ever felt personally victimized by @cta blue line delays pic.twitter.com/VDiQjmvCSp
— Eddie No-Money (@EddieBshp) September 21, 2019
One even asked for his money back.
Hey @cta it’s rush hour and there isn’t a purple line in sight. I expect a full reimbursement for the lack of “express” trains pic.twitter.com/OvvAWsB8z3
— Vern (@CasualVern) September 25, 2019
But other riders had encouraging words for their preferred method of transportation, and wished the CTA well.
The @cta can’t catch a break this week. Blue line shut down from Jackson to UIC due to a gas leak. I’m hoping it gets better for @cta, thanks for al your hard work!
— J.P. Wing (@thatjpwing) September 27, 2019
Dear @cta,
— Mari 'Zak (@MariZak87) September 27, 2019
You’ve had a horrible week and as a rider I’m sorry. Most of it wasn’t in your control. Hope you make it through the day in one piece. #hellweek #isit5oclockyet
The CTA did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this story.
One thing we can all agree on: the Skokie Swift line is looking pretty good this week.
