Critiquing the Loop (Train System)

The Loop in Chicago

If you have ever lived in a major city or the surrounding neighborhoods, there is a high probability that you haven't used a train system.  The Loop, also known as the L, is a set of trains that follow specific routes.  The system essentially follows a rectangular path through out the center blocks of the City of Chicago.  This rectangular system stems out in multiple directions to carry people to and from the center of Chicago from surrounding areas.  There is no question that a huge percent of people who work in the city use this train system as transportation.  The image below shows the different lines that operate within the L system.




Although this system is extremely efficient, there are still some negative connotations to be attached from my personal experiences with using the L.

• You never know the crowd on the train.
• People range from individuals who work to individuals who are homeless.
• It is typically packed during rush hour which makes it very uncomfortable.
• Boarding process can be annoying trying to squeeze into tight places.
• Can't trust it to be on time all the time.
• Train maintenance seems to be a regular event.
• Individuals constantly jumping on the tracks.
• Other trains are delayed causing the rest of the schedule to be delayed.

These few bullet points are just some thoughts that one should keep in mind when riding the train system.  After reading these, you would think I am being a tough critic, but realistically, most of these issues occur on almost every train system.

The last time I took the L was to go from Clark St. to my brother's apartment.  The train was delayed by a few minutes which was a downer because of how drained I was at work.  Besides that, I hopped on the train where I plugged in my headphones and jammed out until it was my stop.  Although I highlighted some negatives about the L, it has proven to be extremely consistent transporting thousands of people a day, getting them to the destination of their choice in an efficient manner.  Typically everyone has a good experience while taking this train system, but of course there will be days where small factors can be irritating.  Just keep your head up and a friendly smile on and you should be all good.  I truly do recommend this type of transportation because it is cost-friendly compared to other methods of transportation.

Check this site:
https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2015/02/the-cracks-in-chicagos-grand-plans-for-the-bus/386027/