Erik Jensen
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eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Erik Jensen
@eriktakestransit.bsky.social
840 followers 240 following 230 posts
Fan of transit, bikes, and climbing | Transit Innovation in Chicago, Formerly WMATA and NYCT | Views my own

Masto: [email protected]
Blog: justjensen.co
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eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Alas, the official stats are trending downwards, but I also feel like the bots liking posts on X (I presume that’s still a thing?) make it feel more active than it actually is too

I also think people like algorithms, I miss my pre-Elon Musk twitter algo tbh

But I do try to post!
Three graphs indicating that active users, posters, and posts are all down 9.5-13.5%
December 9, 2025 at 7:06 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Yesterday I had arepas for dinner before walking around the corner to get boozy eggnog with friends and then found a bar to play pool

And today I get to watch the Jinkx and Dela holiday drag show!

All without getting in car! Gotta love Chicago
The image features the Chicago Theater illuminated at night, showcasing its iconic marquee announcing "The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Show Tonight." A crowd of people is gathered outside, with snowy sidewalks and city buildings in the background.
December 8, 2025 at 2:15 AM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Was just telling someone last week how nice it is to live somewhere that really gets all 4 seasons…

Fast forward a week and it’s 13 F out (-10 C), with a low of 8! Chicago weather is really challenging my opinions
A view of a cityscape featuring modern glass buildings, framed by snow-covered ground and plant life. In the foreground, railroad tracks with some snow and a yellow utility box are visible. Reflective surfaces of the buildings capture the blue sky.
December 4, 2025 at 3:41 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
We have hit a full 1 hour and 15 minutes on the taxiway at O’Hare with no end in sight.

On the plus side they’ve given us water and a little snack
A digital flight information display showing a map of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) with numerous airplane icons indicating flight activity. The screen indicates the flight number (UA2148), arrival time (10:37 PM), baggage claim area (3), and gate (B8)
December 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
lol traffic was at an absolute standstill, and meanwhile I’m already through TSA and getting dinner
An airport scene at night featuring a busy pickup area with several parked cars. In the background, the United Airlines terminal is visible, along with people walking and an escalator in the foreground.
November 30, 2025 at 11:53 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
My flight may have been delayed, but I’m still incredibly grateful that I can trust Metro to get to the airport on time and without dealing with traffic!
A subway train approaches the Gallery Place-Chinatown station, with a platform featuring hexagonal tiles. The interior has a concrete design and overhead lighting. A few commuters are visible waiting on the platform.
November 30, 2025 at 11:30 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
The vibes at Midlands are impeccable right now, let’s go @washingtonspirit.com !!
TV screen is it the Washington spirit playing at an outdoor bar. Fans are watching in the foreground
November 23, 2025 at 2:47 AM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
This is niche Chicago airport content, but I ordered Tortas Frontera when getting in the TSA line and they called out my name as soon as I walked up

So good
An escalator scene showing a hand holding a bag from Tortas Frontera and a suitcase, with people in the background. The bag prominently features the brand name and is bright yellow.
November 20, 2025 at 11:40 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Fall in Ping Tom Memorial Park
A vibrant park scene in autumn, featuring trees with yellow and red leaves, scattered fallen leaves on the ground, and a traditional pavilion. In the background, a modern building is visible. There are also benches and trash bins in the park. A park scene under an elevated structure, featuring people engaged in various activities amidst trees and greenery. The backdrop includes a city skyline with tall buildings. A large, rusted drawbridge towers over a river, with a city skyline featuring tall buildings in the background. A yellow boat navigates the water, and the scene is set on a clear blue day. A serene outdoor scene featuring a row of blue bike-sharing bicycles parked along a pathway. In the background, a person rides a bike while another walks a dog. Trees with autumn foliage and a clear blue sky set a peaceful atmosphere.
November 15, 2025 at 9:38 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
If you are in Chicago, please go outside if you can, it’s glorious
A city street scene featuring a bike lane, parked cars, and a cyclist riding. Nearby buildings are made of red and brown brick, adorned with trees that have autumn foliage. The sky is clear and blue.
November 14, 2025 at 7:22 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Good morning Chicago
An urban train station with a red brick building, possibly the Harold Washington Library, in the background. A train is arriving on an elevated track beside a snow-covered platform. The scene is set in a city, with tall buildings and a gray sky. A snowy scene of a city skyline featuring tall, modern buildings flanking a river. There's a bridge and water beneath, with some greenery visible along the banks. The atmosphere is gray and overcast, typical of a winter day. A snowy urban landscape with heavy snowfall obscuring visibility. Buildings and streets are covered in snow, creating a wintry scene. A snowy urban landscape seen through a window, with buildings fading into a white haze due to heavy snowfall. Rooftops are blanketed in snow, and visibility is low.
November 10, 2025 at 3:27 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Not to wax all poetic, but it’s pretty magical riding on a train across the country side during a Fall sunset

Everyone deserves to experience this
Autumn landscape featuring trees with vibrant orange, red, and yellow foliage, viewed through a train window.
November 6, 2025 at 10:05 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Bathroom gets an 8/10.

Spacious but you definitely still know you’re on a train. The motorized door with a button to lock is pretty cool, as is waving to flush.

No paper towels is automatically -2 though.

Finnish trains remain unmatched for having a bidet though
A modern, compact restroom interior featuring a toilet, sink, and illuminated mirror. The walls are gray, and there are signs posted. The door to the restroom is partially open, showing a corridor with seating visible in the background. An interior view of a restroom, featuring a door mechanism with buttons labeled "Push to LOCK" and "Push to UNLOCK." There are two indicator lights—one red and one green—associated with the lock status, along with a splash of water Image of a restroom control panel featuring a flush button, a sensor with a green light, and toilet paper rolls. The panel includes tactile indicators and is designed for user-friendly operation.
November 6, 2025 at 9:33 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
This is undoubtedly the most uncomfortable seat I’ve ever sat on on a long distance train

The seats do have nice tray tables and power outlets though
Interior view of a train seating area featuring two adjacent seats with a dark leather-like covering. A black backpack is placed on the floor nearby. The window shows an "Amtrak" logo and a hint of the platform outside. Interior of a train showing a set of four plush seating with a folding table between seats. A person is partially visible in the background. The decor features a modern design with a patterned backrest.
November 6, 2025 at 9:12 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
At a first glance, the new Venture cars are nice! They look modern, and the extra wide aisle is actually pretty nice for getting around folks putting their bags up or getting sorted.

The ride is super smooth too
Interior view of a train car featuring rows of seats, with passengers standing and sitting. Luggage is stored overhead. The setting appears to be during travel, with visible windows showing a platform outside.
November 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
It’s old news now, but this is my first time riding in the new Siemens Venture cars on the Wolverine, let’s see how it goes!
A blue Amtrak train labeled "Midwest" is parked on tracks within a station. The front view shows the train's headlights, logo, and various details of the engineering cabin. The platform features yellow safety markings.
November 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
The compasses outside L stops are so clutch when your bus transfer is one minute away and you need to know which stop to stand at
A mosaic compass design embedded in a sidewalk, featuring the word "Chicago" at the top and directional markers. Some leaves are scattered around the area.
November 6, 2025 at 5:58 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
There’s something very goofy about making sure the L is in the background to take thirst traps of your car (as seen from the Brown Line)
A parking lot with five vehicles parked, including three SUVs in a row. A group of four people is walking across the lot taking photos of the SUVs, with a few trees and a building in the background.
November 2, 2025 at 4:45 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Very easy to forget it’s #AWeekWithoutDriving when you bike or take CTA every day anyway, but here I am on the train!
A smiling man with a reddish beard and blond hair is taking a selfie in a subway train. He is wearing a checkered shirt with sunglasses hanging off the middle. The background includes metallic walls and a blue fabric seat.
September 29, 2025 at 11:18 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
The thing about Chicago is you can just be walking around and next thing you know this is the view
Chicago cityscape featuring modern skyscrapers, including the Sears tower prominently in the middle, surrounded by trees and residential structures. The sky is clear, and the lighting suggests late afternoon.
September 26, 2025 at 1:09 AM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Up early for work, and while it wouldn’t be surprising to anybody who works third shift normally, even at 4 AM there are lots of folks up early to get to work!

Flight attendants, security guards, healthcare workers, transit employers… all relying on CTA to get where they need to go (including me!)
Jackson Blue Line CTA station platform featuring a man standing near a support pillar, holding onto it. He is wearing a black jacket with colorful text, gray pants, and red sneakers, with a blue backpack. In the background, several people are seated waiting for the train
September 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
I did grab the train home though
A view from inside a subway car, focusing on a cream-colored canvas bag in the foreground. The background shows empty seats and passengers sitting across from each other, with reflections visible in the windows. The interior is bright and features metal poles and overhead lights
September 12, 2025 at 12:39 AM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
Absolutely beautiful night to grab a Divvy to pick up a Facebook Marketplace find

Also the Milwaukee bike lanes are pretty rad
A city street scene showing cyclists riding on a designated bike lane beside vehicle traffic. Modern buildings line the street, with traffic lights and a "No Turn on Red" sign visible. The sky is clear, indicating early evening.
September 12, 2025 at 12:38 AM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
It’s difficult to describe just how much nicer it is now that the Alaskan way viaduct has been torn down

Places for cars vs a park for people
(Today) A bustling waterfront cityscape featuring a path with pedestrians, modern buildings, and a large Ferris wheel. The scene includes trees and greenery, with a distant view of bridges and cranes along the waterfront. (2025) A view of a bustling waterfront area in Seattle, featuring modern buildings, a wide promenade lined with greenery, and the Seattle Aquarium. A large Ferris wheel is visible in the background, along with cranes and docks indicating ongoing port activity. (2018) A smiling man stands on a waterfront with a gray sky overhead. In the background, there's a large ferris wheel and shipping cranes along the waterfront. The scene includes a sign indicating a no smoking area and features urban elements like roads and buildings. (2018) A street view featuring a crosswalk, traffic signals, and buildings. A person with blonde hair in a black jacket stands with their back to the camera, while another person is visible nearby. The scene includes a salon sign, vehicles in the street, and a highway off-ramp
September 5, 2025 at 8:34 PM
eriktakestransit.bsky.social
I found a coffee shop to sit and watch the trolley buses go by
A coffee glass sits on a table next to a laptop, showing a scenic wallpaper. Outside the window, a purple electric trolley bus is driving down the street, alongside a parked scooter and urban buildings. Trees line the sidewalk.
September 5, 2025 at 6:44 PM