Search Results for "agencies"
The cutting edge: Transit agencies begin planning 40% service reductions
Private sector entities: Got a bright idea to solve the CTA’s problems? Submit it to the agency’s new Innovation Studio
The transit agency wants to "test solutions for improved system safety, asset management and real-time information at bus stops."
CTA blues: Musician and ex-bus driver Toronzo Cannon, shares his views on the agency’s labor challenges
Like many CTA workers, difficulties in the early days of COVID influenced Cannon's decision to retire. He says the transit unions need to do more to support their members.
At board meeting: CTA is piloting digital bus stop signs at 20 stops, and are unarmed security guards effective?
Transit agency to pilot new pole-mounted digital bus stop signs
Transit is the Answer Coalition discusses: Should we consolidate the 4 agencies, or beef up the RTA?
"The reforms that we are here to discuss today are part of [a] larger conversation," Executive Director Leanne Redden said. "And much of that work centers around developing a stronger RTA."
Transit planning guru Jarrett Walker discusses CTA and Pace challenges, and the agency consolidation question
Walker, a consultant with the two systems, talks about how to improve service. He won't "disagree with their managements in public," but says he's genuinely against the proposed merger.
How the bill to consolidate the 4 Chicagoland transit agencies would improve land use policy
RTA chief says the agency should get more authority over fares, service quality, and capital investment for Chicagoland transit
Executive Director Leanne Redden's comments were made during a recent Transit Is the Answer Coalition discussion of strategies to avoid the fiscal cliff.
State legislators pushing to merge CTA, Pace, and Metra into one agency spoke at Transit Town Hall
State Sen. Ram Villivalam, (D-8th) and state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-3rd), as well as Graciela Guzmán, a Democratic senate nominee, addressed the crowd of transit advocates.
How can we avoid fiscal derailment? Transit agencies, chambers of commerce take opposite sides on the consolidation debate
RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace chiefs said they need more funding but are opposed to unification. The chamber leaders said the agencies shouldn't get one without the other.
CTAction on recent transit agency claims of pre-COVID-style frequency: “Bus staffing is going well, but ‘L’ staffing and service are still subpar”
The grassroots transit advocacy group also weighed in on the CTA's departure from Twitter. CTAction's response may surprise you.
A better way to run a railroad: The transit reform opportunity
A combination of governance and operational reforms could deliver the transit system riders deserve
CTA let public weigh in on RPM under the ‘L’ plans for Edgewater and Uptown
The transit agency held public meetings in Uptown and Edgewater, showcasing plans for natural areas, workout spots, plazas, and a skate park.
One agency to rule them all: Advocates are cautiously optimistic about proposed bill to combine the 4 Chicago area transit bureaus
The Active Transportation Alliance, Commuters Take Action, and Equiticity weigh in on the proposed legislation.
Comfort for Carter? On the eve of a Commuters Take Action protest calling for Dorval’s firing, CTA announces a couple of positive news items
Kam Buckner: South Shore and MED runs stop at the same stations, so why don’t we let South Shore trains pick up MED riders?
Hopefully Buckner and other cool heads at the railroads and local transportation agencies will prevail to find a solution.
CTA: “9% increase in Blue, Yellow service started on 4/20.” Commuters Take Action: “That’s a pipe dream.”
The CTA has a four-pronged plan for rebuilding ridership
Chief Innovation Officer Molly Poppe said the agency intends to grow off-peak ridership; expand existing service; improve customer service; and increase advertising.
No way to run a railroad: Governance is holding back transit in Chicagoland
When everyone is accountable, nobody is.
Scheduling like it’s 2019? The CTA’s announcement that it’s returning to pre-COVID rail service levels is generating some controversy
Some local transit advocates are worried that the agency may be over-promising how much service it can deliver.
Sen. Ram Villalam on transit funding, and the recent research trip to Germany: “It really showcased how integrated public transit is possible.”
A stroke of good fortune: RTA asks CDOT to include bus lanes in the Bally’s Casino viaduct reconstruction
The Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees the three local transit agencies, is using a little muscle to persuade CDOT to include better bus accommodations.
CTA board reflects on the highs and lows of 2024, goals for 2025, at final meeting of the year
RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard pitches ambitious ‘Transforming Transit’ initiative to Chicago stakeholders
At Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee hearing, CDOT reports that bike infra construction, encouragement is shifting into high gear
Bike and pedestrian program czar Dave Smith discussed the agency’s strategy for improving bikeways and encouraging more people to ride.
Partying like it’s 2025: CTAction’s Dorval Carter retirement celebration heralds a new era for Chicago transit
The latest episode in the Chicagoland transit fiscal cliff saga: A new hope
State Sen. Ram Villavalam and a coalition of labor unions are backing the "United We Move" bill that would empower the RTA without merging the four transit agencies.
CTA budget focuses on staffing to restore service, and capital improvements
Happily, fares will remain the same—a deliberate move on the part of the agency to encourage people to continue returning to public transportation.
It’s the final countdown: A new transit bill materialized this morning
Transit advocates weigh in on the CTA’s Refresh & Renew program
Advocates say the program to occasionally deep-clean 'L' stations is nice, but it would be great if the agency put more effort into keeping train stops sanitary all the time.
Today’s Headlines for Thursday, March 20
At public meeting on the CTA’s proposed 2025 budget, residents voice concerns about security and reliability
Commenters also discussed agency consolidation, bus bunching, the CTA chatbot, and fleet electrification.
“It Was Magnificent”: Illinois legislators take a learning tour of Berlin and Munich transit systems
The four Chicagoland transit agencies discuss their next steps for averting the fiscal cliff
Approved 2025 CTA budget shifts $3.3 million from security funds to develop public safety pilot programs
Plus transit board members pushed President Dorval Carter on more accountability for current security, and the CTA announced a redesign of the Clark/Lake station.
CTA, Metra, and Pace ridership have been recovering this year, but still have a long way to go to reach pre-COVID-19 levels.
The Regional Transportation Authority recently discussed the bright sides of the local bus and train picture. But looming in the background is the $730 million Chicagoland transit fiscal cliff.
At State Senate committee meeting on MMA, transit advocates voiced support, but collar counties opposed simple-majority voting proposal
Representatives of Kane and McHenry counties argued that if MMA board decisions didn't require a supermajority vote, their districts would be disempowered.
The first cut is the deepest: RTA warns some transit impacts may be unavoidable, even if the state comes through with a bailout
"This is an outcome that was preventable, but we stand ready to do the work and respond to what's coming down the path," said RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden.
Pace launches full-fledged Pulse Dempster service just in time for Halloween
On October 29, Pace suburban bus transit agency launched the Pulse Dempster Arterial Rapid Transit bus service – for real this time.
Ald. Vasquez, CTAction, and ATA’s Amy Rynell weigh in on the long-demanded departure of Dorval Carter
Today’s Headlines for Monday, November 4
Today’s Headlines for Thursday, July 11
Blurred lines: At three meetings this week at downtown terminals, Metra asks riders for input on renaming commuter rail routes
High Speed Rail Alliance: Illinois transit overhaul could be a game-changer
A major development in Illinois could ripple far beyond the Midwest – reshaping how America thinks about high-speed and intercity rail.
CTA board approves expansion of contract for gun-detecting security cams, amends contract for universal one-day transit pass
RTA’s Transportation Tuesday webinar series kicks off with discussion of evaluating and selecting capital projects
The series "invites attendees to learn about hot topics in transportation planning as they relate to implementation of the RTA’s new regional transit strategic plan."
So fresh, so clean? Advocates praise CTA’s 2024 Refresh & Renew program, say everyday conditions still need sprucing up
Commuters Take Action accuses CTA of “lies” about restoring Blue Line to pre-Forest Park Rebuild service levels
The agency promised last month "we will add back rail service to [spring 2023] scheduled service" in mid-November but the advocacy group says that's not happening.
The RTA’s new Transit-Friendly Communities Guide offers encouragement for building equitable TOD in the ‘burbs
CTAction: It’s silly for CTA to update timetables to reflect “more scheduled rail service” when it can’t deliver its current schedule
The grassroots transit advocacy group says there's no point in advertising more service on the new timetables when the CTA isn't actually providing it.
TransitCenter’s updated Transportation Equity Dashboard finds Chicago transit access is trailing peer cities
"[Chicago transit is] falling behind in a post-COVID world," the report's creators say.
CTA board meeting focuses on improving bus service equity, and public safety in the wake of the Blue Line murders
A trio of Red Line Extension hearings are allowing the public to “Meet the Contractor”
Chicago Transit Board appoints acting president, discusses customer service and public safety
At Transport Chicago, experts discussed creative ideas to save the region’s transit system from looming fiscal cliff
One particularly intriguing idea is congestion pricing. While that strategy is on hold in NYC, one of the panelists thinks it would work here.
CDOT: Chicago set a record in 2024 with 10M+ bike- and scooter-share rides. Actually, make that 11M+!
First public meeting on advanced construction work for Red Line Extension covered demolition, utility relocation plans
Contractors will start tearing down properties and moving power and communications lines this year in advance of the official project launch in late 2025.
CTA says pre-pandemic-level bus service will be bus-ting out all over, starting this Sunday
Johnson appoints one West Side pastor to CTA board, then nominates another West Side pastor for RTA board
Supporters argue that, despite his lack of transit expertise, Ira Acree’s social justice experience and political connections could be an asset for the RTA board.
At CTA board meeting, interim president says she’ll tackle quality-of-ride issues, discussion of pilot to detect people and objects on tracks
RTA webinar discusses benefits and models for mobility hubs
On Tuesday, the Regional Transportation Authority hosted the second of four webinars related to the agency’s new “Transit is the Answer” strategic plan.
CTA board officially names Green station on Damen, seats Michael Eaddy, approves day pass pilot, discusses vending machine equity
While it wasn't the most eventful CTA board meeting, it was certainly a busy one.
Today’s Headlines for Friday, May 2
From bad to worse: Unpacking the CTA’s latest schedule changes effective October 8th
As predicted last month, the news is not encouraging.
CTA publishes more realistic bus schedules, advocates say agency should focus on hiring
Today’s Headlines for Friday, March 7
There *shouldn’t* be a road just like it: Better Streets’ Lakefront Community Visioning Meeting calls for a shoreline without an 8-lane DLSD
Attendees want to see the waterside highway transformed into a people-friendly boulevard with a dedicated transit corridor.
The CTA can’t afford to let electric buses hold up reliable service
Transit advocates and elected leaders should make it clear that while electric buses are a nice bonus, they can’t get in the way of more frequent and reliable service.
