Why this is the worst kind of Express

27 Comments

1. For those asking: I still live in DC. This footage is just old.

2. I wish they did the express thing here in DC; just as long as they tell you that it’s gonna change to an express train before it actually changes so you can change trains. The trains always stop BEFORE the platform at pentagon 😭

3. Tbh i would prefer a different solution. If a train has a severe delay, the train should be cancelled and run without passengers to the terminus or to the next pocket track, where it can the can be turned around. So the delayed train can be operated on time in the reverse direction, only the passengers on the delayed train are affected and it doesn't create choas.

4. They should do short runs, but the only problem is that they don’t have enough places for the trains to terminate

5. Occasionally late running commuter trains in the UK will be run as expresses, but this is almost unheard of on the Underground [except for scheduled Metropolitan Line fast services]. For example, the Elizabeth line may run fast from Stratford and only call at Ilford, Romford, and Shenfield. But it's more likely that a late running Elizabeth Line train would be turned back short at Gidea Park. And "outer suburban" trains on the South West Mainline will occasionally run fast all the way from Fratton or Havant to Guildford (Havant to Guildford often happens with trains diverted due to engineering works).

6. When riding buses in Chicago, you will often hear the operator say that they are running ahead of schedule, and to keep on schedule they will hold at this stop for 2 minutes. When I spoke with drivers, they tell me that they don't get in trouble for running late due to traffic because it's out of their control. They do get in trouble for running early.

7. I used to take the Blue Line from to the airport. Occasionally they would run express from Jefferson Park to Rosemont or from Rosemont to Jefferson Park. It usually worked in my favor so I felt lucky when this happened. Nice video!

8. 30 years ago Chicago had A, B and AB trains, A train would stop on A and AB stations, B train stops on B and AB stations. Apparently, it didn't work out and this system was abolished.

9. The frustrating hold times can be fixed by subtly lengthening dwell times at each station so a few minutes worth of hold time can be spread out over multiple stations

10. You are right, Thom. This is the worst kind of express. But then, I don't think it's trying to be a good express. I think it's trying to do the tricky job of coping with bunching. Bunching is easier to cope with on a bus line. The first bus can continue to pick up all the passengers, and the other bus can pass it up. Then that bus becomes the first bus and picks up all the passengers, and so on. But on a two-track railroad, the second train can't pass the first one. So the only way to take care of bunching is either to speed the first one or slow the second one. There you have the Chicago express solution, and the Washington Metro train on hold solution. Neither is perfect; both have the drawbacks you discussed so well in your video.

    Are there other solutions? Well, New York tried one. The BMT (today's B division) built a lot of lines to three track width. If the local trains bunched, they could promote some to express trains and run on the center track, bypassing a lot of stops and passing local trains. Some of Chicago's elevated lines tried the same thing. But by the time the CTA took over, all of the old express runs were terminated except for the purple line on the north side. Today, it's only express between Belmont and Howard.

11. It could be worse. I used to ride LARTD from Norwalk Blvd on the east side of the basin to Hawthorne Ave. on the wast side of the basin along Imperial Hwy. This trip could get interrupted by trains running down the strwet levwl Alameda Corridor to or from Long Beach Harbor. On some occasions, this added an hour to my commute.

12. The 1 subway in NYC does this too if it's late. Much less warning, just the announcements. Even the countdown clocks don't update.

13. The best way to address bunching is a combination of holding and station control. This is what they do in Tokyo. If a train is late, then you prevent crowding in the platforms by blocking the entrance for a few mins (people can still chill in the concourse). Combine this with holding and you have a pretty good system. The train in front doesn't go slower as you are holding platforms so you don't have to hold trains behind for a long time.

    Anyways skipping stops at will is something you should never do and is insulting to the passenger.

14. This happens a lot in NYC too. I spent over 15 minutes waiting for the 6 only for it to skip the station. They just needed to catch up with their scheduled stops. However, if you're lucky, you'll get a notification on the display boards that there were delays and delays. Still nice to see horn action though.

15. I see you Showed the Broad Street Line (B) which has Express from Fern Rock Transportation Center to Walnut-Locust which is just next station south of City Hall in Philadelphia. And they have special express trains from Fern Rock to NRG for sporting events to concerts including attending Flyers, 76ers, Phillies and Eagles games. They don’t stop anywhere after Walnut- Locust until the final stop at NRG station for sporting events and more.

16. Holding trains so it makes all stops and no one misses their stop. Better late than never if work, to doctor and more. But also annoying when you are trying to make a connection and then the bus you just miss only operates once an hour and gotta wait another whole hour.

17. Chicago here: I’ve been on the Brown Line when suddenly at a stop way before mine they will announce it is an express to a stop way beyond the stop I want to get off at. You’re right, it’s very sudden and disconcerting to make a decision quickly if you want to get off and wait for the next train or go beyond your stop and backtrack. That being said, I understand them trying not to bunch! I’ve seen three Damen 50 buses in a row many times. It can be all or nothing.😂

18. Years ago my buddies and I were on the Red Line during an intense ice storm and it started skipping stations. We all thought that the ice had taken out the breaks and that we were all going to die when the train slammed into 95/Dan Ryan. People on board literally started praying.

19. I think that's a funny US problem because Polish metro services have a frequency of 3 minutes on work days yet they always run smooth until the terminus which can get bunched up due to the trains having to turn around and go to the other track. But I think that Express is the better option as it doesn't delay the other trains

20. Battery runs are the better option.

    The objective is to get the train lines back on schedule as fast as possible.

    Having trains creates more delays and adds to more frustration.

21. Now I understand why there are express trains that pass train stations at certain times. That is to reduce delays and to allow more space for the trains behind the first passenger train. Those are the two points I gathered. I'm going to assume that it be the same reason that happens on the northeast corridor. I've seen passenger trains speed by certain train stations in NJ on Track 1 & Track 4.

22. Some years ago when I went to Chicago for the first time, I did not know I would be riding a Blue Line express train headed back to O'Hare. Amazing yet surprised.

23. I've never actually seen the "will not stop" indicator at a station.

    CTA used to express delayed trains much more often. Actually, I usually liked it, as it meant the possibility of getting where I was going a little faster. Typically, there were key supervisor station check points which would be used as the catch up stations: Rosemont, Jefferson Park, Logan Square, Clark/Lake, for instance. The trailing train was, typically, no more than 3 minutes behind. They only do it now when truly necessary. I've also experienced the recent holds. They're annoying.

24. In my city, these are nicknamed KPI Expresses.

    Personally, I'd rather have the late running trains simply stop short at an available set of crossovers and then return (assuming it needs to head back in the other direction).

25. Hold the train. People have to get to work or wherever so better delayed than totally skipped and maybe not even make it on time to your destination which I suppose could happen with a hold too but seems more likely to get where you want to go with only a short delay than be missed completely. Some trains that do that will then have as much as 10-15 wait time before the next one comes so late to work again!? Huh. Your Fired! haha. Not funny. Yeah a delay I think would be better time being that they will only need to wait until they have enough space between then resume trip. Peace.

26. They need express service for the blue line and maybe the red line blue line express service With stops at Rosemont Jefferson Park Belmont Logan Sqaure Damen Then Clark/lake then run locally intel forest park and i wouldn’t consider express service on the fp branch since it has low ridership and has decreased since the late 2010s

27. Thanks for posting. I never heard of any of this before so now I am more knowledgeable the next time I visit a major metro/subway city. Where else would a tourist find such info? Great service.

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