What's up with that?

Q The design of some new El stations (among them Fullerton and Belmont) includes heating shelters that are significantly smaller than the old shelters. This doesn’t seem like an improvement, so why are they being made so much smaller?

A The CTA acknowledged that the new shelters are indeed smaller. Still, the agency defended the design, saying in an e-mail, “There are now four windbreaks, two with heaters on the Belmont platform and on the Fullerton platform—more than before the renovation.” (The stations’ new design, which places the heaters/windbreaks at each end of the platform, also helps the CTA prevent crowding on the train: The old heating shelters were usually located toward the center of the platform, causing the middle cars to become even more packed with riders.) C’mon, though—windbreaks? Sounds like hot air to those of us who pack in like Mickey D’s french fries under a heating lamp to catch some warming rays. So again: Why the smaller shelters, CTA? This seems like a case of bigger is better. Alas, the agency did not respond to our request for clarification.

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