Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comments Safety Tips topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenters urge CTA to pilot employee appreciation tipping, address bus-stop parking and cameras
Summary
During public comment a filmmaker proposed a voluntary seasonal tipping program for CTA employees; other commenters raised concerns about cars parked in bus stops, cameras not recording during an incident, and denied access to staff restrooms during an incident.
Public comment at the March 12 CTA board meeting included multiple rider and community-member concerns about safety, enforcement and a proposal for voluntary tips for CTA employees.
Adam Bicke (self-identified as a Chicago documentary filmmaker) proposed a voluntary annual employee-appreciation tipping program he called “CTA Employee Appreciation Month” running Dec. 1–31, with collection boxes at stations and on buses or an option to tip via a Ventra card. Bicke said the program would be voluntary and intended to allow passengers to show appreciation to CTA employees, drawing an analogy to tipping for taxi or ride-hail drivers. He offered to assist with public-service announcements or promotional material and handed packets with the proposal to board staff.
Another public commenter, Patricia Fuentes, raised operational concerns about cars that park at CTA bus stops and block buses from reaching curbs, making boarding difficult for older riders. Fuentes said she reported the problem to the police and was told ticketing was not police responsibility, and asked the board to clarify which city agency enforces parking at bus stops. Fuentes also referenced an incident on an Orange Line train where she said cameras did not appear to be recording and an attendant denied her access to a station bathroom when she needed to rinse her eyes after being sprayed with an irritant.
Board staff noted that public commenters had provided written materials and contact information to the board; staff also indicated no additional registered public comments remained.
