Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about CTA

A passenger boards a Clark Street bus through the rear door. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Rear bus boarding: Riders say they appreciate safer conditions and (temporary) free fares

By Imelda March | Apr 15, 2020 | No Comments

While the program has a learning curve, and it hasn't been without snafus, customers are enjoying being able to ride for free -- that is, until rear fare card readers are installed.

CTA union chief discusses the campaign for safer pandemic working conditions

By Imelda March | Apr 9, 2020 | No Comments

The union is pushing for rear-door boarding, bus de-crowding measures, better cleaning procedures, and more.

A CTA bus driver on Inner Lake Shore Drive. Photo: John Greenfield

Lightfoot endangers CTA workers and riders by stalling on pandemic safety measures

By John Greenfield | Apr 2, 2020 | No Comments

Waiving fares bus fares and requiring rear-door boarding would reduce drivers' exposure to COVID-19. And more service is needed to prevent dangerous crowding.

Transit ridership is plummeting, the systems need a bailout, and transit workers need protection

By John Greenfield | Mar 19, 2020 | No Comments

It's going to stand with Active Trans in the fight to win emergency funding for transit and protect workers during the pandemic.

The St. Petersburg Metro. Photo: Wikipedia

From Russia with love: How St. Petersburg’s transit safety strategy compares to Chicago’s

By Igor Studenkov | Mar 19, 2020 | No Comments

The biggest difference is that in St. Petersburg, transit operators before each shift and not allowed to work if they have symptoms.

During the pandemic, we need to avoid crowding trains and buses. Photo: John Greenfield

Chicago transit ridership is dropping, but that’s actually a good thing

By John Greenfield | Mar 17, 2020 | No Comments

If you don't need to ride transit, then please walk, bike or, if necessary, drive where you need to go to help out those who must use the CTA, Pace, or Metra.

Having lots of people ride on crowded trains is bad idea if we're going to slow coronavirus transmission. Photo: John Greenfield

If you need to ride transit during the pandemic, do it. If you don’t, avoid it.

By John Greenfield | Mar 16, 2020 | No Comments

If you don't need to use public transportation during the pandemic, do the right thing and avoid riding it, which will make conditions safer for those who have no other option.

The moment before the police first shot the man they were trying to arrest for crossing between cars. Image: Michael McDunnah

Police decision to arrest a man for breaking a minor CTA rule ends in tragedy

By John Greenfield | Feb 29, 2020 | No Comments

Lightfoot needs to order the police need to stay focused on behavior that's actually dangerous, instead of escalating petty offenses into encounters with the potential for violence.

A security guard with a German shepherd on the Red Line. Photo: Dan Gaken

Serious CTA crime is on the rise. How can we fight it beyond using cops and cameras?

By John Greenfield | Jan 13, 2020 | No Comments

More policing and camera surveillance doesn't make everyone feel safer, but bringing back CTA conductors would help deter crime.

A driver blocks the Chicago Avenue bus lane near Clark Street. Photo: CDOT

Bus-sted: City says traffic aides will enforce Chicago Ave. and Western Ave. bus lanes

By John Greenfield | Jan 7, 2020 | No Comments

When it comes to speeding up bus service, bus lanes are basically only as good as their enforcement.

Should the CTA do more to accommodate families with small children in strollers?

By Amber Drea | Dec 18, 2019 | No Comments

Unlike New York's MTA, the CTA allows unfolded strollers on buses, but there's still room for improvement.

Load more stories