CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. resigns as investigations into agency issues continue
Chicago: So, Dorval Carter Jr. is stepping down as the CTA President at the end of the month. He’s off to lead a hospital on the West Side. This news comes right after the CTA secured $2 billion in federal funds to extend the Red Line. But that project is now looking at a hefty $5.7 billion price tag.
For a while now, Carter has faced a lot of heat over the CTA’s struggles to provide safe and reliable service post-pandemic. He’s been under fire from City Council members, with many calling for his resignation. Carter, backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, has pushed back, claiming the criticism is racially charged.
Block Club has been on the case, digging into the CTA’s leadership and revealing some pretty serious issues. They’ve shown how the management has been out of touch, leaving workers in tough spots and riders frustrated with unreliable service.
One of the standout stories was about Antia Lyons, a veteran bus driver who tragically died on the job. Block Club found that she was left unresponsive in her bus for nearly an hour before anyone noticed. This raised big questions about how the CTA monitors its drivers and the safety protocols in place.
They also uncovered that Carter barely used the transit system he was supposed to oversee. In two years, he swiped his card just 24 times! That didn’t sit well with many, especially when City Council members and transit advocates were already upset about the service issues.
While the city’s transit system was struggling, Carter was often out of town, attending conferences instead of checking in on the CTA stations. He was away for 97 out of 345 days, which is a lot when you think about the problems at home.
Block Club also pointed out that the CTA board has been more of a rubber stamp for Carter than a watchdog. Most board members have political ties rather than transportation expertise, which raises eyebrows about their decisions.
Despite the chaos, Carter’s salary shot up over 60% in eight years, making him one of the highest-paid public employees, even more than the mayor! Meanwhile, riders were dealing with filthy conditions on trains and a rise in crime, making it a tough time for everyone using the CTA.
In response to safety concerns, the CTA hired private security, but reports showed they were not equipped to handle the issues. They even started an AI gun-detection pilot program, but details about it were scarce, leaving many wondering about its effectiveness.
While the CTA tried to roll out a new schedule to address complaints, it didn’t really fix the underlying problems. Block Club’s investigations have sparked changes in laws and even led to federal inquiries, proving that holding powerful figures accountable is crucial.
