For immediate release: Active Trans statement on Red-Purple Bypass
May 19, 2015
Media Contact:
Ted Villaire
Active Transportation Alliance
Communications Director
O: (312) 216-0484
C: (312) 563-1118
[email protected]
Chicago, Ill., May 19, 2015 – On Tuesday CTA published the environmental assessment for the proposed Red-Purple Bypass, also known as the Belmont Flyover, to further rebuild our transit system on the North Side and address growing capacity issues on the Red and Purple lines.
Active Trans released the following statement on the proposal from Executive Director Ron Burke:
“As more Chicagoans are choosing to ride transit every year, and demanding faster and more convenient options, we need to invest in projects that improve and expand our outdated system. The CTA’s proposed Red-Purple Bypass addresses one of biggest issues in our current system, capacity on the Red and Purple lines on the North Side, and would give CTA the ability to add trains to meet growing demand in the area.
Without more investment, crowding on North Side trains is only going to get worse and rider frustration will continue to grow. Moving forward, the CTA, Metra and Pace must continue to identify ways to improve and expand our rapid transit network, and we need to raise revenue locally to further invest in our system.”
# # #
The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is supported by more than 7,000 members and 1,000 volunteers. For more information about the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.