You'd think...

A one-way trip from Valparaiso to Chicago's Loop on the Chicago DASH is scheduled to be nearly 1 1/2 hours long..about the same as the time it takes to fly from Chicago to New York.   In other words, ChicagoDASH riders are sitting for a long time.  You'd think that someone would have made sure that if one thing on the new buses was suitable and safe for long trips, it would have been the SEATS.  Apparently, government officials making these decisions didn't think about this and as a result ChicagoDASH passengers ride each day in unnecessary discomfort. 

Obviously, though, the people making the decisions understood how long the rides are.  Why else would the buses be equipped with bathrooms, WiFi Internet access and even power outlets for recharging our mobile devices? 

How do you reconcile the incredibly uncomfortable and cramped seats and the obvious use of these buses for long riders?

An Open Note to ChicagoDASH Officials...

Like so many other well intentioned governmental actions, the ChicagoDASH bus service between Valparaiso and Chicago has taken a turn that has many riders squirming in their seats - literally. The problem causing the squirming is what most people would consider the most basic of commuter bus amenities - comfortable seating.

The service, run by the City of Valparaiso, started off well enough using buses leased from a private bus company. The buses initially used to provide service were nothing fancy and seemed to have some miles on them, but they offered something sorely missing in the buses recently purchased for Valparaiso - simple comfort.

The three new buses, each costing taxpayers approximately $800,000, have seats (including leg room, seat width and ergonomic design) that are horribly designed and unsuitable for riders to have to sit in for the nearly two hours some ChicagoDASH routes take. As I write this, my left leg has gone numb again, and I'm watching the gentleman in the next seat change his sitting position for the umpteenth time during this particular commute.

I count myself among the many riders who appreciate the idea behind the service. Unfortunately, the thought
isn't sufficient when it comes to taxpayer-provided services. Poor decisions can make a mess of the
best laid plans. In this case, the decision to purchase bus seat that don't serve their primary function -
comfortable seating - has taken the ChicagoDASH service more than one step back. And with the City of Valparaiso looking to bring in additional revenue by adding stops in other cities, such as Hobart, the problem will only be compounded.

Fortunately, the situation can be rectifiable, if someone in Valpo City Hall is willing to step up and take responsibility. First, City offi cials have to be willing to acknowledge that the bus seating is wholly inappropriate for people sitting in one place for 1 1/2 hours.

Second, City officials have to work with the appropriate manufacturer to correct the deficiencies of the product it provided. I trust that City officials entered into a contract with the bus manufacturers that outline how quality issues will be addressed. Finally, City officials to should actively invite riders to provide input when these decisions are being made.  Hopefully, someone steps up and fixes this critical problem.