Food & Drink
QUESTION: I've noticed that there are signs in rail cars now that say, "People eating or drinking on the CTA will be fined $100" (or something like that). Is this serious? …Also, if this is true, then why is coffee (and food) sold *in the fare paid area*. Does the CTA expect people to stand around near the shop and not take the food on trains?
Good question. The sign actually reads: “No smoking, littering, eating or radio playing. Violators subject to fine of up to $300.” I know it may seem harsh, but CTA rules, like those of many other mass transit systems, prohibit people from eating and drinking while riding. We want you to enjoy your cup of coffee on the train platform or while waiting for your bus (or after you leave the train or bus), but food-related spills and trash create a mess that makes the ride unpleasant for other customers. And it also costs the CTA money. For example, each year the CTA spends about $2800 per rail car to clean up trash (food wrappers, newspapers, coffee spills, etc. Note: coffee with cream and sugar is one of the most costly spills to clean-up). That’s between 5 and 10 cents of every full $1.75 fare. Holding these costs down helps us keep fares lower and increase service.
We’re also trying to increase revenue for CTA, which is why you see more concessions on CTA property. The CTA receives about $1 million annually from these concessions, and we are working to increase that amount. I also think customers welcome the convenience of amenities to their daily commute.
If any of you have used the Washington, D.C. system, you know that they strictly enforce their “no food or drink” policy. In fact, Supreme Court nominee John Roberts’ most famous case as a judge is one in which he voted to uphold the DC Metro’s handcuffing a 12-year-old girl for eating a french fry.
I hope the CTA never goes that far, but I need your help. Don’t leave trash, and please don’t eat or drink on the trains and buses – even if you’re the most careful person in the world, you can’t predict when the person next to you is going to bump your elbow and send your coffee onto the floor (or onto another customer). Not only will CTA save money on cleaning costs, but we’ll all benefit from a cleaner ride.
Good question. The sign actually reads: “No smoking, littering, eating or radio playing. Violators subject to fine of up to $300.” I know it may seem harsh, but CTA rules, like those of many other mass transit systems, prohibit people from eating and drinking while riding. We want you to enjoy your cup of coffee on the train platform or while waiting for your bus (or after you leave the train or bus), but food-related spills and trash create a mess that makes the ride unpleasant for other customers. And it also costs the CTA money. For example, each year the CTA spends about $2800 per rail car to clean up trash (food wrappers, newspapers, coffee spills, etc. Note: coffee with cream and sugar is one of the most costly spills to clean-up). That’s between 5 and 10 cents of every full $1.75 fare. Holding these costs down helps us keep fares lower and increase service.
We’re also trying to increase revenue for CTA, which is why you see more concessions on CTA property. The CTA receives about $1 million annually from these concessions, and we are working to increase that amount. I also think customers welcome the convenience of amenities to their daily commute.
If any of you have used the Washington, D.C. system, you know that they strictly enforce their “no food or drink” policy. In fact, Supreme Court nominee John Roberts’ most famous case as a judge is one in which he voted to uphold the DC Metro’s handcuffing a 12-year-old girl for eating a french fry.
I hope the CTA never goes that far, but I need your help. Don’t leave trash, and please don’t eat or drink on the trains and buses – even if you’re the most careful person in the world, you can’t predict when the person next to you is going to bump your elbow and send your coffee onto the floor (or onto another customer). Not only will CTA save money on cleaning costs, but we’ll all benefit from a cleaner ride.
posted by Carole Brown | 9/09/2005 01:43:00 PM
