Soliciting and gambling arent the only focus of the CTAs announcements these days. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Chicagos L train system has updated many of its protocols to encourage proper hygiene and social distancing.
There are new sanitation regimens, which include daily as well as regular deep cleanings using new electrostatic sprayers and an antimicrobial surface coating designed to prevent viruses from sticking to surfaces.
The CTA also established a passenger capacity limit of 22 riders per train car although its up to riders to enforce this limit and said it runs longer trains on some routes to provide more space for social distancing. CTA employees also monitor platforms at high-ridership stations via camera, and make announcements asking customers to spread out when theyre too close or to wait for the next train when the one at the station is too crowded.
While the CTA reports ridership is down 75% compared to this time last year, systemwide, more people are starting to take the train or bus for work and essential trips now that Chicago is in Phase 4 of reopening.
On a hot day last week, WBEZ spent a day on the Red Line to talk with riders and see how the new protocols work in practice. Some cars were eerily empty; others were near the passenger capacity limit. Heres how some people are navigating public transit during the pandemic.
Why are you taking the train? To get to work downtown
How often have you ridden since the onset of the pandemic? Every day starting in early May
Im actually immunocompromised, and I was taking Ubers to work for a little while. But I live in Avondale, and to Uber to and from Avondale for work 5 days a week is $600 a month for me. And thats not including surges. So I wasnt really able to afford that, so Im getting on the train. It is what it is.
I usually see people who are nurses and doctors getting on board. I work around a lot of hospitals, so thats pretty common. I usually see a lot of construction workers going on, or people getting off of night shifts. Its usually the people who are holding the city together.
Why are you taking the train? Headed to a construction job
How often have you ridden since the onset of the pandemic? Every day starting in mid-June
Before we get on the trains, at some locations [CTA workers] would come in and wipe them down, spray and sweep, sanitize the chairs and handlebars. And thats what I like.
Well get on and it smells fresh and were off. I [also] like that theyre doing the [social distancing] stickers. Some people follow it, some people dont. Its not like theyre directly on our backs.
Its kind of difficult to have to wear a mask, especially for people who are working and have to wear a mask all day. Its already hard to breathe. The majority of people are wearing masks, but some people dont. I dont judge. Right now I had [a mask] on but couldnt breathe, so I took it off for a while.
Why are you taking the train? To visit family
How often have you ridden since the onset of the pandemic? Once a week
You would think the trains arent as crowded or as busy. No. When the buses were free, for those months, oh those buses were crowded. And Ill tell you this much, too. At 9 in the evening this train was crowded. I found out when I left my cousins house to go to the South Side it was from the North Side to the South Side. These trains were crowded. I mean, theyre crowded. They had more passengers than you would think at night than during the day. It was very surprising to me.
Why are you taking the train? To visit Wrigley Field
How often have you ridden since the onset of the pandemic? First time riding since arriving in Chicago from Chattanooga, Tenn.
Aaron: Were actually trying to get to Wrigley Field now. Were staying just up from here downtown and just getting out doing some sightseeing.
Sandy: Were here for a couple of days. I feel like its been pretty good so far. Weve traveled, weve been on a trip this month also, so we felt pretty safe about it.
Aaron: We just try to stay as clear from people as we can, wear the masks and wash our hands a lot. All the basic stuff. So were trying to live it up as much as we can but not be dangerous about it and just use common sense.
Why are you taking the train? To do computer installations at a customer site
How often have you ridden since the onset of the pandemic? Never, until yesterday.
I used to be a daily rider. Our company converted to working remotely for most of us that can, so I have not touched public transportation until yesterday when I was on this project to do computer installations on-site. There were about six people on the entire car during rush hour. And yesterday while coming back, one person sat behind me so I moved to another seat 5-6 feet away.
I suppose now since there are so few people on it, and with the regular cleanings, Im rather comfortable. I guess after a few months of anything, people tend to settle into a new routine. But for the first couple of months, I really preferred to avoid it. I also avoided the buses for the same reason.
Our office is going to an optional one-day-a-week attendance in the office. Im going to prefer to stay at home. I think my mother is a germaphobe, so I was raised with that attitude. So given the choice to avoid it, Ill avoid it. But there are some times when you need to be at the office or at a customer site to do the work, so thats why Im going in.
Why are you taking the train? To meet my wife at Union Station
How often have you ridden since the onset of the pandemic? Once in a while for outings with my kids
We come downtown and enjoy the scenery. Its more peaceful [on the train] because there are less people on it. [The kids] love it. It gives them a chance to get out.
Why are you taking the train? Heading home from work as a personal caregiver
How often have you ridden since the onset of the pandemic? Five out of every seven days
I take care of people, Im a caregiver. I go to their homes, and I assist with their daily duties. Im a companion and do various things for the clients depending on what they need and what their abilities are.
To me, for CTA, I think theyve been doing a good job as far as the social distancing, and the people thats on the trains that Ive been with, theyve been social distancing. I havent had a problem, not at all. Im blessed for that because Im a hygienic person anyways.
I rely on it, I really do, because it gets me from point A to point B. No matter where I have to go in the city, theres a bus or train that can get me there. Its very accessible. That is my transportation, public transportation.
Manuel Martinez is WBEZs photojournalist. Follow him@DenverManuel. Katherine Nagasawa is WBEZs audience engagement producer. Follow her @Kat_Nagasawa.
Read more: All of WBEZs coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak in Chicago and the region
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As More Commuters Return To Work, Heres What It Looks Like On The Red Line - WBEZ