by fishcat
MikeF wrote: The way you describe the CTA's strategy, it sounds as if you think it is a private, profitable corporation. It's important to keep in mind that the CTA is a public agency and is in business to serve the people of Chicago, not to make money. A large portion of those people are the "cattle" to whom you refer, so whatever measures are necessary must be taken to make the system accessible to them.Mike, thanks for the response. I think we agree on the necessity of the CTA's measures, and the basic motivation behind it. And I do understand their role as public agency. My point is that the question is not one of profitability (although in a private corporation, that's how it would manifest) but one of Survivability. They're simply coping with the selection pressures currently present, to put a Darwinian spin on it. If the subject of my "rant" seemed a little ambiguous, it's because the problem itself isn't black and white.
Also want to point out, I really don't intend my use of the word "cattle" pejoratively, I just wanted to paint a picture. I ride the L myself.