Mar 27, 2024 - Transit

The CTA is taking your questions for new social media videos

Carrie Shepherd

Illustration of the L train tracks with a train passing over it. — Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

In an effort to be more transparent with riders, the CTA's social media team is conducting street interviews to figure out what needs to be improved.

Why it matters: Social media accounts like CTA Fails and Commuters Take Action regularly point out CTA's shortcomings, from ghost buses to uncleanliness. The "Ask CTA" campaign marks a new online effort to improve the agency's public image.

Reality check: CTA tells Axios none of the questions nor answers are scripted and that interviewees are selected at random. The agency also says CTA boss Dorval Carter will pop up to answer questions directly.

Zoom in: The first video in the series is about — what else? — ghost buses and trains, which a CTA spokesperson attributes to a staffing shortage.

Meanwhile, CTA added new bus routes this week.

By the numbers: There were more than 250 train delays of 10 minutes or more reported last month, and about 4% were more than 15 minutes late or double the expected wait time in February.

The agency hired more than 100 bus and train operators last month.

What's ahead: New videos will be released on Wednesdays.

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The CTA is taking your questions for new social media videos

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