Author Archives: Julia Gerasimenko

Inadequate hiring pipeline continues to impact CTA service

| Feb 2, 2024

Rail service at the CTA, unfortunately, continues to be plagued by issues surrounding hiring and  training.

The persistent problems with the agency’s employment pipeline means riders continue to be frustrated with unreliable, infrequent transit service, and CTA workers continue to be frustrated by lack of adequate job growth opportunities. 

In late December, we mobilized nearly 900 transit supporters in response to the proposed 2024 CTA budget.

The goal was to get the CTA board to invest in operator training and increase the number of courses offered.

Mayor Johnson should make 2024 the Year of the Bus 

| Jan 3, 2024

At the Active Transportation Alliance, we often hear from Chicago transit riders who are fed up with buses that are unreliable and often delayed.

Indeed, it’s a major barrier that keeps many people from using buses. Slow buses that are undependable ensure that people will find other ways of getting around the city.

Thankfully, we know how to fix this problem — and the solution is very do-able.

Countless examples in other cities have shown that bus priority infrastructure is the most cost-effective intervention when it comes to improving the experience for riders and operators.

Tired of waiting for a CTA train or bus? Take action for more service!

| Nov 7, 2023

We’ve long championed robust public transit as the backbone of urban sustainability and accessibility.

Unfortunately, recent trends in service by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) present a worrying picture, not just for transit advocates but for every resident relying on public transportation.

A concerning chart below from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) illustrates a stark reality: Overall transit service levels have been on the decline even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Chicago takes steps towards making our streets safer and buses faster

| Mar 17, 2023

Wednesday, March 15 marked a successful day in the fight for safer streets.

Two important ordinances — the Complete Streets Ordinance and the Safe Streets Pilots Ordinance — were approved by Chicago City Council.

But that’s not all.

The Plow the Sidewalks ordinance was also introduced to city council and will be assigned to a committee as a next step towards a municipal sidewalk snow clearing pilot program.  

Dozens of organizations urge state to rethink priorities with new transportation funding

| Feb 25, 2022

With an influx of federal funding on its way to Illinois, advocates across the state and across the country are reminding state leadership that the funds must be spent on projects that enhance equity and sustainability.

As part of that effort, Active Trans joined 50 other advocacy groups from across Illinois in sending a letter to Governor Pritzker and Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman that underscores the great need for them to move beyond the status quo in transportation spending.

Transit Equity Day event calls for investment in transit workers & riders

| Feb 14, 2022

Chicago Jobs with Justice recently launched Chicago’s first-ever transit riders union under its campaign Transit4All.

Active Transportation Alliance joined Chicago Jobs with Justice for the launch of their initiative as did Warehouse Workers for Justice, Sierra Club of Illinois, and local transit advocates. The goal is to foster an independent organization that would improve public transit for both riders and workers.

At a recent event that took place on Transit Equity Day,

Chicago’s first transit riders union launches on Transit Equity Day

| Jan 31, 2022

As decisions are being made about the future of Chicago’s transit system and how it serves our communities, people who ride transit deserve a seat at the table.

To ensure that riders’ voices are elevated in this conversation, Active Trans is working with a coalition to launch a transit riders union on Transit Equity Day, February 4.

Join Active Transportation Alliance, transit labor groups (Local ATU 241 and 308), SMART IL Transportation Division,

On Earth Day 2021, we are calling for a historic investment in transit

| Apr 22, 2021

On Earth Day 2021, we joined 23 local organizations to deliver a letter to the Illinois Congressional delegation to push for a historic investment in public transit in the United States.

Dozens of national and local organizations will be delivering similar letters to their local congressional delegations as well as part of the National Campaign for Transit Justice. See below for full text of the letter.

Frequent and reliable public transit is critical to reducing reliance on carbon-emitting cars and trucks,

Join us March 24 for a forum on the future of suburban transit

| Mar 18, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis have reshaped the landscape for public transit in our region’s suburban communities.

Dramatic declines in ridership and revenues have forced local agencies to make tough choices about suburban transit service, all while thousands of people throughout the region continue rely on transit to navigate their daily lives. At the same time, opportunities for resilience and innovation are on the horizon.

Join Active Transportation Alliance and Warehouse Workers for Justice for a lunchtime conversation on Wednesday,

Active Trans stands with SE Side residents fighting General Iron permit

| Feb 23, 2021

Active Trans stands in solidarity with the hunger strikers and Southeast Side residents who are fighting to get Mayor Lightfoot and Public Health Commissioner Arwady to deny the final permit to General Iron, a car crushing and metal recycling facility.

The facility, previously located in Lincoln Park, has a well-documented history of causing health issues in local residents due to the release of particles that cause lung and heart problems.

Looking at the 2020 air quality and health index map produced by the Chicago Department of Public Health,