We asked readers for CTA etiquette tips. Here’s what you said about riding on an L train or a bus in Chicago, lightly edited for clarity:
“Keep purses close to the body, be on the lookout, give the singer a buck, mind your own business, carry a smile and share it carefully.”
— Eve Agosto
“Keep your shoes on for the entire ride, and no smoking anywhere, ever.”
— Jamie Gump, 50, Rogers Park
“Use headphones or earbuds when listening to music or viewing a video.”
— Richard Reinhold, 58, Lincoln Square
“Don’t read on your phone if you’re standing near the back door. I’ve seen too many phones snatched by people running out the back door.”
— Jeff Edstrom
“Make sure accessible spaces for people with disabilities are open.”
— Eli Brottman, 25
"Double-wide escalators are stand right, walk left."
— Irene Backus
“Don’t stand in the doorway. Standing passengers should move toward the center of the train car.”
— Benji Kaplan, 32, Avondale
"Be kind to all."
— Jacquelyn W. Greenwell
"Refrain from making conversation with others, and look crazy or talk to yourself. This is not the place to strike up a friendship."
— Robert Lisowski
“Always thank your bus driver when getting off.”
— Derek Bish, 40
“Memorize which side the doors open at each stop you frequent.”
— Van Owens, 17
“Keep personal items to yourself and don't take up the seat next to you.”
— Cole Halligan
"Never make eye contact, never let someone hand you anything and never sit in a damp seat."
— Kathryn Kaysen Jackson, 52, Northwest Side
“Take your backpack off on crowded trains. That thing is a weapon as you make your way through the crowd.”
— Brenda Russell, East Village, 69
“Make your way to the doors a couple of minutes before your stop.”
— Milovan Mihic
"No toenail clipping on board."
— Jesse Rocha, 62, Jefferson Park
"Let the people off the train or bus before you go barging in."
— William Schendel, 54, Uptown
“No manspreading — especially during rush hour.”
— Rose Panieri, 66
“If a train or bus is full and people are standing close together, don't stand in front of an available seat just because you do not want to sit in it.”
— Ezra Serrins, 25, Lake View
"When playing the 'L train shell game,' only play what you can afford to lose."
— Alan Scott
