Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about CTA

Before stimulus, advocates pushed for transparency on cuts. That’s still important.

By John Greenfield | Dec 22, 2020 | No Comments

The possibility of transit cuts is now less of an immediate threat. But it's still important for local transit agencies to be transparent about what would be cut in the event that the federal funding runs out.

Boarding a #157 Streeterville/Taylor bus this month on Michigan Avenue. Photo: John Greenfield

What will the new COVID stimulus bill mean for Chicagoland transit?

By John Greenfield | Dec 21, 2020 | No Comments

Chicago-area transit agencies and advocates are generally taking a glass-half-full view of the news, noting that in the short term the subsidy will prevent a "beyond-doomsday" scenario.

The RTA board meeting was just like this, if you replace Ben Affleck, Bruce Willis & Liv Tyler with Dorval Carter, Jim Derwinski, and Rocky Donahue.

Transit agencies discuss plans for possible “Armageddon” funding scenario

By Igor Studenkov | Nov 25, 2020 | No Comments

“In the previous [2008] doomsday budget, our deficit was in the neighborhood of $100 million,” CTA president Dorval Carter said. “This is Armageddon-type stuff."

Lightfoot’s budget narrowly passes, with downsides for transit riders and motorists alike

By John Greenfield | Nov 24, 2020 | No Comments

The budget diverts $16 million in operations funding from the CTA. It also raises the city gas tax by three cents and drops the speed camera ticket threshold to 6 mph.

Waiting beneath overhead heaters on the Wilson platform. Photo: John Greenfield

How can CTA riders stay warm while maintaining social distance?

By Courtney Cobbs | Nov 22, 2020 | No Comments

Rather than crowding below outdoor platform heaters, tCTA recommends waiting in stationhouses, and using online tools to track arrivals. The agency also discussed the issue of homeless people sheltering on transit.

3-cent gas tax hike wouldn’t impact drivers much, but taking $16M from CTA is wrong

By Steven Vance | Nov 20, 2020 | No Comments

Included in Mayor Lightfoot's proposed budget are two transportation-related tax changes, one that would make driving a little more expensive, but another that would reduce funding for transit.

A friendly reminder (bowdlerized for publication) by the Brown Line. Photo: Raed Masour

Mask asks: Facial coverings policy for CTA drivers; South Shore drops COVID-denier cars

By John Greenfield | Nov 17, 2020 | No Comments

Here's what the CTA had to say about non-compliant CTA bus operators. Meanwhile, South Shore has ended its ill-conceived Mask Optional Car policy.

Free mask dispensers on the CTA? Lightfoot: “We’ve done a tremendous amount already”

By John Greenfield | Nov 5, 2020 | No Comments

The mayor seems to be taking an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude. But feedback from straphangers suggests there's still room for improvement when it comes to mask compliance.

Pace bus and Metra train at the Highland Park Metra station. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Regional Transportation Authority prepares for funding doomsday scenario, recovery

By Igor Studenkov | Nov 2, 2020 | No Comments

The Regional Transportation Authority is starting to prepare for what will happen if the federal government fails to provide additional aid for transit, and what will happen when the pandemic is over.

Opened drawbridges limiting entrance and egress to and from the Loop during the George Floyd protests. Photo: John Greenfield

Advocates blast mayor’s refusal to rule out a CTA shutdown if there’s election unrest

By John Greenfield | Oct 30, 2020 | No Comments

"I'm not going to hesitate" to shut down transit and Divvy again in the event of civil unrest Lightfoot told Streetsblog this morning.

The new pop-up bus lanes on 79th near Western Avenue. Photo: Courtney Cobbs

The 79th Street pop-up bus-only lanes are only a half-measure

By Courtney Cobbs | Oct 28, 2020 | No Comments

Red paint and effective enforcement is needed to make the lanes work better and actually improve bus speeds.

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