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Public commenters press CTA board on Orange Line reliability, disability access, contractor reporting and student outreach
Summary
During public comment on Jan. 14, students from Curie High School asked CTA to review advocacy posters on relationship violence, a retired CTA employee pressed the board on Orange Line reliability and staffing, a resident raised concerns about bus operators and Midway Terminal cleanliness, and Jobs to Move America and allied groups called for stronger reporting and accountability on contractors' job and wage commitments.
Five in-person public commenters addressed the board during the Jan. 14 meeting.
Students from Curie High School spoke about an advocacy project on relationship violence and asked CTA to consider displaying completed posters on CTA property as an awareness tool. Retired CTA employee Steven Fisher, president of the Vindim Park Civic League, described repeated reliability problems on the Orange Line and urged the board to investigate and address staffing and operational gaps; Fisher said his wife waited 28 minutes for a train and he urged the board to "look into it and help."
Patricia Fuente spoke about bus drivers' handling of riders with disabilities, describing instances where drivers "panic" when more than three mobility devices are on board and called for more training; she also raised ongoing cleanliness issues at Midway terminal. Community organizations Jobs to Move America and Working Family Solidarity urged CTA leadership to close gaps in reporting by contractors on commitments made under CTA's US Employment Plan and asked for continued board-level engagement to ensure job and wage commitments are transparent and enforceable.
Board staff acknowledged receipt of written comments from Sustainable Englewood Initiatives concerning the Red Line TIF Coalition and the Sandbox Carbon ordinance. Acting President Leerson and staff committed to follow-up on several requests and to connect public speakers with appropriate staff for further discussion.
