Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about COVID-19

A Metra Electric District train at the Pullman station on Labor Day Weekend, when the new Pullman National Monument opened. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Have reduced South Side Metra fares increased ridership? It’s complicated

By Igor Studenkov | Dec 8, 2021 | No Comments

The jury is still out on whether the Fair Transit South Cook reduced fare pilot, which launched in January 2021, has increased ridership on the Metra Electric District and Rock Island District lines.

When I stopped by one of their restaurants after the dining room had closed, they wouldn't serve me at the drive-through. Photo: John Greenfield

Portillo’s Hot Dogs’ ban on bikes in their drive-throughs doesn’t cut the mustard

By John Greenfield | Nov 17, 2021 | No Comments

I didn't relish being turned away from the restaurant on my bicycle the other day. They need to change this outdated policy and catch up with the times.

The Davis Street Metra and CTA stations in Evanston. Photo: Jeff Zoline

After lobbying by CTA and Pace, RTA board shifts some COVID funding from Metra

By Igor Studenkov | Nov 8, 2021 | No Comments

Under the new agreement, the CTA will get $912.1 million (61 percent of the funds), while Metra will get $513.6 million (34 percent) and Pace will get $71.3 million (5 percent).

Two out of the three buses clustered at Foster and Clark in Andersonville during a recent rush hour. Photo: John Greenfield

Confirmed: Current CTA unreliability is caused by staffing shortages. How do we fix that?

By John Greenfield | Nov 5, 2021 | No Comments

We've accurately diagnosed the cause of current CTA weirdness. Now we need to hold the agency accountable for keeping its promise of "actively recruiting workers to fill existing vacant positions."

A Metra Union Pacific West train and a CTA Green Line train cross paths on Lake Street. Photo: Jeff Zoline

CTA, Pace, and Metra are fighting over federal COVID stimulus funding split

By Igor Studenkov | Nov 5, 2021 | No Comments

CTA and Pace officials have objected to the Regional Transportation Authority's proposal for divvying up American Rescue Plan Act stimulus funds between those systems and Metra.

A CTA bus on Chicago's Michigan Avenue. Photo: John Greenfield

I’m fairly optimistic about the future of public transportation – if we take action now

By John Greenfield | Nov 3, 2021 | No Comments

As Mark Twain might have said, reports of the death of transit have been greatly exaggerated, but we do need to take decisive action to make buses and trains a more reliable and appealing option.

State Street in the Loop earlier this month. Photo: John Greenfield

September Loop Alliance report shows slow, steady increase in walking, transit use

By Sharon Hoyer | Oct 29, 2021 | No Comments

Hopefully promotional fares on the CTA, Metra, and the South Shore Line will help incentivize more folks to return to transit and drive less.

The crowded South Shore Line platform on my trip home from the Indiana Dunes Sunday afternoon. Ridership seems to be picking up. Photo: John Greenfield

Why the South Shore Line is offering free eastbound rides all day, every weekday

By John Greenfield | Oct 25, 2021 | No Comments

"In order to get back to the revenue that we need to generate in the long term, we need to incentivize people to get back on the trains."

CTA buses near Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue. Photo: John Greenfield

Deep discounts on CTA fare passes have helped fuel pandemic ridership recovery

By John Greenfield | Sep 15, 2021 | No Comments

The agency is crediting the sale with spurring a nearly 70 percent increase in average ridership among pass users.

Riders board the Route 383 bus at Midway Airport. The route is returning to its pre-pandemic schedule, with some service changes, on August 8. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Pace launches campaign to attract riders, restores some pre-pandemic service

By Igor Studenkov | Aug 3, 2021 | No Comments

As Pace takes its first steps toward reversing some of its pandemic-related service cuts, it’s launching an ad campaign to bring riders back.

The Seminary Slow Street passes under the Brown Line tracks north of Roscoe Avenue. Photo: John Greenfield

Eyes on the Street: A new slow street on Seminary Avenue in Lakeview

By John Greenfield | Jul 26, 2021 | No Comments

Thankfully, nowadays space for social distancing is not such an urgent need. But many residents appreciated the Slow Streets, so CDOT has brought back some of them, and is piloting a couple new ones.

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