CTA, I'm ashamed that you're my "Rapid" Transit Provider

After a couple months of driving to/from work because of after-work commitments (softball leagues, golf, etc.) I started taking the train again this week. My morning commute from Bryn Mawr to Davis (with a change from the Red line to the Purple line at Howard) should take no more than 30 minutes. Yesterday it took 45. Today it took 50! After spending the weekend in London spoiled by their frequent trains, constant status updates, and 'next train arrives in X minutes' signage, my return to the CTA left a particularly sour taste in my mouth.

According to the CTA Bryn Mawr schedule, northbound trains should arrive every 5 - 8 minutes between 6:00 am and 11:00 am. Let's see how that played out this morning.

8:00 Arrive at Bryn Mawr
8:05 Watch first Evanston Express pass
8:10 Watch second Evanston Express pass
8:15 Watch third train pass (marked Express but I assume it was red line)
8:20 Northbound red line train stops at Bryn Mawr

Number of announcements made to keep passengers informed - Zero
Minutes in between trains - >20
Explanations for delay on CTA website - Zero

Reaction from CTA staff at Howard - "I'm on a different radio channel, I don't know what caused the delays."

The CTA should feel a responsibility to keep their riders informed. A simple "The next northbound train should be at Bryn Mawr in 5 minutes" is all it takes. Instead, you're left to stare down the tracks, assuming that since you can't see the faint headlights of a train in the distance, it's going to be "a while". This morning, "a while" meant a 15 minute unexplained delay that caused me, and a number of other Chicagoans who unfortunately rely on the CTA as their means of transportation, to be late for work and school and . . .

Just another day on the CTA. I hope it gets better before it gets worse.