CTA Riders Go for the Gold (Line)

Lamar Scruggs could cut his commute time to work in Lincoln Park in half if a new Gold Line is granted to the South Side.

He says currently: "I have to catch a bus to the train and then take a long red line train ride up north." The Gold Line CTA proposal is already gaining hundreds of fans on Facebook.

It would run along the South Chicago branch of the Metra Electric Line from Randolph and Michigan in the Loop to 93rd Street in South Chicago every ten minutes. An extra stop could be added in Bronzeville.

Linda Thisted is one of the South Side activists pushing for the project.

She expects about 40-thousand South Siders would use the Gold Line daily.

Besides applying for federal funding and approval from the CTA and RTA, the project could be stopped in its tracks because of the cost which is projected at $160M.

Thisted was asked about the fact that the city is so cash-strapped.

Her reply?

"Well they are going to be able to find the money for the Olympics so I think they can find the money to improve the transit because that's one of the weakest parts of Chicago's Olympic bid is the transit."

Thisted says whether Chicago gets the bid or not, the bottom line is a Gold Line would help underserved South Side commuters like Lamar Scruggs.

Tera Williams pointed out to him: "It will benefit Chicago immensely, especially you huh?"

His reply? "Especially me!"