John Greenfield
In addition to editing Streetsblog Chicago, John writes the transportation column for the Chicago Reader weekly paper. A Chicagoan since 1989, he enjoys exploring the city on foot, bike, bus, and 'L' train.
Recent Posts
Mayoral hopefuls weigh in on how to save the CTA, a key campaign issue
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During today's mayoral candidate forum held by WCPT 820 AM at Morningstar Auditorium, transit was a major topic of conversation.
The CTA’s winter arsenal: sleet fighters, snowplow blades, and diesel locomotives
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Current staffing shortages aside, the CTA appears to generally do a pretty good job of keeping trains and buses functioning during inclement weather.
Ald. Martin announces ped upgrades on Irving Park, after IDOT stopped obstructing them
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Improvements include new crosswalks, ped islands, curb extensions, and/or warning beacons at six intersections, including the one where ward volunteer Peter Paquette was killed.
CTA’s percent of fulfilled runs got even worse last month. What should be done?
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Disappointingly, the December 2022 percentage of fulfilled bus and train runs was actually worse compared to November 2022.
Will Smart Streets Pilots Ordinance give bike and bus lane enforcement some teeth?
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The legislation sounds like a step in the right direction, so Streetsblog will closely follow the progress of the ordinance to help ensure that it doesn't get killed by motor-headed Council members.
Lily Shambrook’s family hopes lawsuit against city will help keep others safe on bikes
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Hopefully one outcome of this lawsuit will be corporations, commercial drivers, and city officials prioritizing cyclist safety. That would help ensure that Lily's passing will not have been in vain.
It shouldn’t take high-profile traffic deaths to make IDOT stop blocking safety infrastructure
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Yesterday IDOT reached an agreement with CDOT that essentially means the state will stop vetoing proposals for safety improvements at the intersections of state- and city-controlled roadways.
Non-mystery trains? Metra promises more accurate arrival data on its new tracker
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Much has been said recently about the CTA’s COVID 19-era reliability problems. There’s been less discussion of Metra’s challenges with restoring service as society slowly recovers from the pandemic, but it’s an equally vexing issue. Since the hub-and-spokes commuter railroad’s focus is on transporting suburbanites to and from downtown jobs, its ridership has been particularly […]
A reckless driver killed Divvy rider Gerardo Marciales. Another one destroyed his ghost bike.
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Less than a year after his death, another reckless motorist on the drive crashed into the light pole Marciales' ghost bike memorial was chained to, demolishing the shrine.
Anthony Harvey, 33, killed by hit-and-run driver in East Garfield is 4th pedestrian fatality of 2023
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Tragically, less than two weeks into the new year, drivers have already struck and killed four people on foot in Chicago.
Good news! CDOT and Lyft indicate non-electric Divvies won’t be phased out
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It looks like in the future Divvy users won't have to worry about having the no more blue bikes blues.
CTA publishes more realistic bus schedules, advocates say agency should focus on hiring
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Transit advocates responded to the announcement of the adjustment of the schedules of 52 bus lines by noting that the agency needs to keep its eyes on the prize of a full-strength workforce.