What's New - Moving Beyond Congestion

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What's New

MBC Announcement, January 17, 2010
On January 11, Metra began accepting credit cards at the LaSalle Street, Millennium and Van Buren Street stations. Come Monday, Metra riders will also be able to purchase fares using their credit cards at both Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center. Additionally, Metra has completed two new parking lots at stations in Elburn and Pingree Road in Crystal Lake. Through the RTA's long-range strategic planning, we will continue to prioritize projects like these that, with proper capital funding, will allow the service boards to continue to make improvements to our regional transit system to enhance rider convenience.
Study: Transit spending creates more jobs than highway stimulus, Chicago Current, January 6, 2009
A recent study conducted by Center for Neighborhood Technology, Smart Growth America and U.S. Pirg found federal stimulus money for transportation creates two times as many jobs as federal stimulus money for our nation’s highways, according to analysis of last year’s federal stimulus package.
Wave of the future: mass transit, Chicago Sun-Times, October 5, 2009
Buses, trains likely to become bigger part of our lives as Chicago population mushrooms
The RTA is working to enhance and expand our regional system to prepare for a growing demand in public transit. In fact, by year 2040, regional planning experts predict that our population will be up to 2.8 million people, and much of the development will be transit oriented.
America's Cleanest Commutes, Forbes, September 21, 2009
Chicago ranks number nine on Forbe’s list of “America’s Cleanest Commutes”, due in large part to our region’s robust transit system. The RTA is continuing to work with CTA, Metra and Pace to ensure that our transit system remains a reliable means of transportation for commuters throughout the region.
Report: More transit riders mean big fuel savings, Chicago Tribune, September 23, 2009
A recent report from Environment Illinois found that public transit ridership was up 6 percent in 2008 from 2007, saving Illinois 260 million gallons of gasoline. With gas prices continuing to rise and increased environmental concerns over traffic congestion, RTA is working to ensure the regional transit system is ready to meet the growing demands of transit ridership.
Chicagoland Car-Free Day -- Sept. 22, 2009
RTA is teaming up with the Active Transportation Alliance, CTA, Metra and Pace to encourage people to participate in Chicago’s first-ever car-free day, September 22, 2009. To take the pledge, go to www.chicagolandcarfree.org. Participants will receive $1 off a large Caribou Coffee drink until September 30.
Metra rolls out new Web site that will take credit cards, Chicago Tribune, September 9, 2009
The RTA is leading efforts to enhance rider convenience – one such way is by providing riders real-time, customized transit information and enabling people to purchase fares online. Today, Metra has unveiled a new Web site that will allow people to purchase monthly passes online and create personalized accounts so they can receive information on train lines, schedules and service alerts via e-mail.
Pace, toll chiefs aim to speed Tri-State traffic, Chicago Tribune, September 3, 2009
Pace and the Illinois Tollway are proposing a plan that would designate express lanes for carpools and buses to travel more efficiently on the state highway. The RTA is working to implement timely, low-cost solutions, like these express lanes, that will provide better service to public transit riders. With the proper funding these lanes could be open as early as 2012, and have the potential to link thousands of people in job scarce areas to employment.
Riding Public Transit Saves Individuals $9,167 Annually As Gas Prices Remain Steady, APTA, August 10, 2009
A recent study released by APTA found on average Americans save $9,167 dollars a year by taking public transportation. In Chicago, that average savings increases to $11,269 a year or $939 a month.
Dump-the-Pump Video Contest, APTA, August 7, 2009
APTA is putting on a Dump-the-Pump video contest encouraging people to submit creative videos giving reasons why they use public transportation.
Residents of northeastern Illinois strongly favor new transit investments and compact development, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, August 5, 2009
Over 4,200 people have weighed in on CMAP's "invent the future" GO TO 2040 plan, and an overwhelming 82 percent of those people support maximum investment in transit.
2009 Annual Mobility Report, Texas Transportation Institute
Investing in our public transportation system may be the answer to Illinois' traffic congestion problem.
CTA shows off the first of 58 new accordion-style hybrid buses, Chicago Tribune, July 7, 2009
The CTA unveiled the first of 58 new hybrid accordion style buses yesterday, bringing the fuel efficient fleet to a total of 208. Investment in new energy saving buses will end up saving the CTA $7 million annually in fuel and maintenance costs. Purchasing newer, more efficient vehicles with capital funds can reduce operating costs, cut pollution and offer riders better service.
Transit Chicago, ABC7Chicago.com, July 5, 2009
RTA Chairman Jim Reilly appeared on ABC’s 7 News Views program this week to discuss how the economic crisis is affecting the transit system and what can be done to improve the system for riders.
Metra starts work on Bronzeville station near Sox Park, Chicago Tribune, June 30, 2009
Metra has started construction on a new station at 35th and Federal Street. The new station will provide transportation not only to White Sox fans but neighbors and students at Illinois Institute of Technology as well. With more funding, we can continue to bring more transit access to communities across the region.
Go Ahead! Dump the Pump, NBCChicago.com, June 18, 2009
RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace partcipated in the annual "Dump the Pump Day" to encourage people to use public transit to save money, help the enviroment and reduce dependence on foreign oil -- just a few of the reasons it is important to fund our mass transit system and keep it viable.
Metra fast-tracks credit card purchases, Chicago Tribune, June 15, 2009
Payment for Metra fares by credit card has been fast tracked and will now begin in September. Implementing measures to increase system improvements and convenience for riders is a benefit of additional funding.
Cell-phone transit: RTA looks into potential of riders using cell phones instead of tickets or transit cards, Chicago Tribune, May 26, 2009
To increase rider convenience, RTA is looking into a new technology called near-field communication that would allow riders to pay for their fares on CTA, Metra and Pace with the swipe of a cell phone. Continued capital investments would help spur advancements in technology to make our regional transit system more user-friendly and convenient for riders.
Is public transit getting shortchanged in capital bill?, Daily Herald, May 22, 2009
Illinois PIRG and other advocacy groups call for lawmakers to think more about the future. RTA views bill as first good step for repair and maintenance of the system.
RTA allocated $2.7 billion in state capital, Chicago Tribune, May 22, 2009
The state legislature has passed a capital plan that allocates $2.7 billion to help address some of the most pressing maintenance needs of the CTA, Metra and Pace, but the plan does not provide enough funding to significantly enhance or expand the transit system to meet growing demand. The plan now goes to Governor Quinn for his signature.
Fate of Public Transportation Projects Could Be Determined by State Capital Plan, IllinoisPirg.org, May 21, 2009
A study released today by the Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) recommends investing $2 billion a year in our regional transportation system for the next 30 years to meet a growing demand for mass transit. Take action now, and tell your legislators to support a capital plan that provides adequate funding to keep our system running and allows us to enhance and expand it in the future.
$29 billion public works program, Chicago Tribune, May 21, 2009
If approved by the full General Assembly, new state capital funds will help address some of the most pressing maintenance needs of the regional transit system. However, we look forward to working with the legislature and members of the Illinois Congressional delegation to identify additional funds that will be required to enhance and expand the system across northeastern Illinois.
RTA head says transit funds good, but not enough, ABC7Chicago.com, May 19, 2009
The federal stimulus package and the mini capital plan approved by the Illinois legislature in April are helpful to the regional transit system, but if the state does not pass a multi-year program to fund mass transit, we will not have the necessary resources we need to maintain, enhance and expand our system in the years to come.
CTA Bus Tracker: E-mail alerts coming for all bus routes, Chicago Tribune, May 12, 2009
Starting next week, the CTA will begin sending real-time bus schedule updates to riders via e-mail. Up-to-the minute scheduling information, like this, is another benefit that can be incorporated system-wide with a new capital plan for regional transit.
Pace buses may get traffic light priority, Chicago Sun-Times, May 7, 2009
Pace is considering Arterial Rapid Transit (ART) service, which would allow fewer stops and faster trips for riders. Buses that are running behind schedule would be given signal priority to make up time in their routes. Enhanced service like ART is another way Capital Funding could improve the rider experience.
Metra to allow credit card payments, wgntv.com, May 1, 2009
Metra just announced by February 2010, riders will be able to buy tickets and passes at stations and online using their credit cards. Making it more convenient to purchase rides is an improvement for riders. Capital funding to repair and upgrade the system is another critical way riders’ experience can be improved.
Report: Chicago needs commuter rail funds, chicagobreakingnews.com, April 30, 2009
The Federal Transit Administration released a study yesterday that said more than a third of trains, stations and other transit infrastructure in Chicago, and several other cities, is in marginal or poor condition -- underscoring the urgent need for capital investment in our transit system in order to repair and improve it.
Chicago area transit use jumps 9% over last 5 years Chicago Sun-Times, April 29, 2009 -- RTA has released the first-ever set of system-wide performance measures of the CTA, Metra and Pace. The new measurements were part of the reform legislation approved last year. The most recent results show ridership is increasing - up 9 percent over the past five years – and transit service availability is increasing across the region as the system grows to meet new demand. Approving a long-term, comprehensive capital plan would help improve service and allow the system to reach even more riders.
Sen. Sandoval Endorses An Alternative Capital Plan, Progress Illinois, April 22, 2009
Here’s a great clip from Progress Illinois featuring former IDOT official Linda Wheeler from the Transportation for Illinois Coalition. Ms. Wheeler comments on how the passage of a mini capital plan was a great first step, but that a more comprehensive, long-term capital plan is still needed. RTA Executive Director Steve Schlickman participated in the press conference called by State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago). AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan also attended and joined with others calling for a larger state capital funding plan.
Uncomfortable transit junket has politicos on same page for assistance, Daily Herald, April 19, 2009
While the legislative tour was made up of Republicans and Democrats from both the city and suburbs, Daily Herald’s Marni Pyke, who was along for the tour, pointed out the group was absent of dissent. Everyone agreed – supporting capital funding for mass transit is critical to the vitality of our system!
Legislators get a taste of the worst of transit system, Chicago Tribune, April 18, 2009
From Chicago to Cicero, legislators saw the best and the worst of the regional transit system. According to the Chicago Tribune, policymakers called the worst “eye-opening” and went back to Springfield vowing to work with colleagues on a capital funding bill to support mass transit.
Transit agencies push for capital bucks, Daily Herald, April 18, 2009
After legislators spent the day touring our transit system, Daily Herald summed it up, “Lawmakers from the city and suburbs agreed a capital program that helps public transit is long overdue.”
Budget-minded boost Pace ridership, Chicago Tribune, April 10, 2009
Great news! According to this recent Chicago Tribune article, Pace ridership hit its second highest totals in 25 years last year. Mass transit funding is vital to maintain and expand our regional transit system to accommodate this continually growing ridership.
No time to waste on mass transit, Chicago Tribune, April 8, 2009
Read Senator Martin Sandoval’s recent op-ed in the Chicago Tribune on the importance of investing in the future of our region’s mass transit system. Join the effort and let your elected officials know that you hope a long-term, comprehensive capital plan will be approved in the Illinois General Assembly this year!