Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Pandemic

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."

A Proterra model battery electric powered bus. Pace is planning to spend around $10 million to introduce electric buses, using this model.

Proposed Pace 2022 budget expands infrastructure, but is vague on service restorations

By Igor Studenkov | Oct 8, 2021 | No Comments

The suburban bus agency hinted at reinstating at least some of the suspended routes, but the public won’t find out any details until Pace releases its 2022 budget on October 20.

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.

A southbound Red Line train, as seen from 57th Street. Photo: John Greenfield

Transit association says CTA was the agency that best coped with COVID-19 challenges

By John Greenfield | Jul 26, 2021 | No Comments

Did the CTA deserve APTA's award as the transit agency that best dealt with the massive headwinds of the pandemic?

Digital parking is a steep, jagged line breaking through the pre-pandemic benchmark exponentially faster than other recovery metrics.

Troubling: Loop Alliance report shows short-term Loop parking is skyrocketing

By Sharon Hoyer | Jun 14, 2021 | No Comments

Encouraging commuters and visitors to the Loop to bike or take public transportation needs to be a top priority.

April parking rates continued to be disproportionately higher than business activity and pedestrian counts compared to the same date in an average pre-pandemic year.

Loop Alliance April report shows a continued, alarming rise in downtown parking levels

By Sharon Hoyer | May 17, 2021 | No Comments

The report reveals increased personal car use has continued on a distressingly steep rise, even while foot traffic and office building occupancy remained on par or below March levels.

A drive-in testing site for COVID-19. Image: ABC Chicago

After United Center vaxx site becomes drive-through only, can you still walk to it?

By John Greenfield | Apr 27, 2021 | No Comments

After the stadium vaccination site switches back to drive-through only on May 8, will you be able to access it on foot? It's not clear yet.

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