Chicago: CTA Responds Aisle-Facing Seats are Here to Stay

[marmar]

IL: CTA Responds Aisle-Facing Seats are Here to Stay

Jon Hilkevitch
Source: Chicago Tribune
Created: August 28, 2012


Aug. 28 -- CTA officials responded decisively Monday to commuters who intensely dislike the center-facing seating on the transit agency's $1.14 billion rail cars and want it changed.

The answer: You're stuck with it for the next 40 years.

Replacing the longitudinal aisle-facing seating arrangement on the new rail cars with a traverse style of both forward- and rear-facing seats that are the norm in Chicago would require redesigning the 5000 Series cars to anchor the seats to new beams added to the frame, according to CTA engineers and the manufacturer, Montreal-based Bombardier Transportation.

Such a move is out of the question because the changes would be very expensive and delay production of the 706 rail cars, CTA officials said. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/10770515/il-cta-responds-aisle-facing-seats-are-here-to-stay

[lunasun]

1. The hold on straps are not placed overhead properly IMO

the emergency lights are better if ever needed.....but your face goes through a car wash like slapping of the straps if crowded when getting off at a stop from a seat

[madrchsod]

2. i`m tall and thin so i`d fit in those seats

anyone over 200 pounds can`t. who ever designed these cars have never ridden in chicago at rush hour or frankly any other time of day.

it really is`t comfortable for a human to travel sideways.

[marmar]

3. "it really is`t comfortable for a human to travel sideways"

True. And since so much of the El is above ground, it takes away one of the great joys of rapid transit in Chicago -- the views.