John Erikson Interview

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In recent months, Chicago city implemented the use of several electric, eco-friendly buses to its mass transportation services. To better understand this matter, we interviewed John Erikson, senior engineer at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). This agency provides service to Chicago and 40 sectors 24 hours each day and averages 1.7 million rides on buses and trains weekly (Chicago Transit Authority Website). Erikson has experience mainly in automotive technology and during the interview offered us a better understanding of the new buses acquired by the CTA in recent months. In addition, we discussed the plans to expand the service implementing these electric buses in other sectors. The engineer met us at his office in the CTA and details of the interview are …show more content…

He understands that success in Chicago city can be easily replicated in other small urban settings across the country. Erikson said that many people are not aware of how long electric engine technology has been available. In fact, this so-called revolution is not new and was initiated in Europe. He explains more funds are necessary to support research, development, and purchase of electric buses across the country. Donohue indicates in the article “Electric, zero-emission CTA bus hits the road in pilot program” that early electric car engines never really took off (Web). Interestingly, the engines failed in part because they were not powerful enough to go long distances, and once Henry Ford perfected the assembly line to the mass production of gas engines, the electric ones were largely forgotten. Certainly, the alternative of more environment friendly transportation systems offers better air quality in urban environments. It can be an alternative to reduce contamination through the use of the electrical bus and reducing emissions to make Americans health better. Alamo 3 Works Cited Chicago Transit Authority, Web. www.transitchicago.com/news. Accessed July 16,

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