Bedbugs reported on CTA Red Line train

Eric Horng Image
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Bedbugs reported on CTA Red Line train
The CTA is reportedly dealing with a pesky problem on the Red Line.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The CTA is reportedly dealing with a pesky problem on the Red Line.

A train car was pulled from service after a passenger claimed they spotted bedbugs on the train. He then posted his experience on the social media site Reddit. The photos went viral.

The skin-crawling encounter was surprising to fellow riders.

"There's vomit. There's urine. There's occasional smelly people, but bed bugs - something you can actually leave with - is new to me on the train," said rider Tim Binney.

The passenger wrote online that he saw the bugs Monday morning on a southbound Red Line train as it traveled near the Belmont stop. He said he saw dozens of tiny insects - possibly bed bugs or lice - crawling on the row of seats where he was sitting.

Some ended up in the passenger's clothes and home.

"I'm going to burn everything I'm wearing right now and not take anything home," said rider Tam O'Neal.

"That's definitely going to be on my mind for the rest of the week. I'm not going to lie. It's truly gross," said rider Renata Gomez.

The CTA said buses and trains are cleaned daily. The organization also said it is aware of the report and is taking steps to address any issues.

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