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Keep up with the latest news on Active Trans and topics that we care about in the region.

What is fare-capping?

Nov 26, 2019 | by Lynda Lopez

In our recent Fair Fares Chicagoland report, we lay out our policy recommendations for more equitable transit in our region. One of our recommendations is fare-capping.

During our research, we interviewed transit riders about their experiences riding transit. A frequent comment we heard from riders was that the $105 fee for 30-day CTA pass is too expensive.

For many people, the high cost meant that buying weekly passes is a common alternative to paying more upfront for the 30-day pass.

Tags: Fair Fares Chi, Fair Fares Chicagoland, fare capping, Transit Equity

A new, signature attraction along Chicago River

Nov 25, 2019 | by Steve Simmons

The Chicago River gained an awe-inspiring addition with the recent opening of the Riverview Bridge on the North Branch, now the longest pedestrian and bike bridge in the city.

The Riverview Bridge runs for roughly a thousand feet north and south of Addison Street and crosses over the river connecting Clark and California Parks, providing a safe off-street connection with breathtaking urban and natural views.

The bridge soars eighteen feet above the Chicago River and is sixteen-feet wide.

Tags: Advocacy, biking, chicago north, Chicago River Trail, Running, Walking

Free fares for youth is part of vision for equitable transit

Nov 25, 2019 | by Lynda Lopez

Nationwide, there’s been a growing interest in allowing youth to ride public transit for free.

Following the approach of cities like Sacramento and San Francisco, a movement has been building in Chicago for free transit for youth.

One of the sources of momentum for the local movement is Back of the Yards College Prep, whose students wrote an open letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot calling for free youth fares.

Tags: Fair Fares Chicagoland, free youth fares, Transit Equity

Brother of crash victim advocates for safer streets

Nov 20, 2019 | by Maya Norris

Andrew DeMott is channeling his family’s tragedy into a catalyst for change.

Since his brother was killed in a car crash while bicycling home early this year, DeMott has been advocating to improve the walking and bicycling infrastructure in Tinley Park, where his brother was killed.

On Oct. 27, his family held a ghost bike ceremony as a memorial to his brother, Douglas DeMott, 52, near the crash site where his brother was struck by a car on Jan.

Tags: Bicycling, crash, South Suburbs

Why Chicago needs a Safe Streets Fund

Nov 20, 2019 | by Julia Gerasimenko

Every life lost is a tragedy. We can’t help but be overwhelmed when we think about the 78 lives lost in Chicago so far this year as a result of traumatic traffic crashes.

But we mustn’t become numb to these terrible events.

For the 2019 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims event, which took place earlier this week, organizers lined up 78 pairs of white shoes in the Thompson Center.

Tags: Advocacy, biking, vision zero, Walking

I&M Canal Trail completion gains momentum

Nov 18, 2019 | by Matt Gomez

Would you like the opportunity to bike on a seamless trail from Chicago to Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks?

The I&M Canal Trail and the Centennial Trail run from the southwest suburbs of Chicago to the downstate parks.

However, as riders of those trails know, major gaps exist in the trails that restrict users from staying on the same trail to make that journey. Instead, during those gaps, riders need to find their own alternative routes to safely make the trip.

Tags: IandMTrail, Trails

A proposal for a more equitable transit system

Nov 18, 2019 | by Lynda Lopez

Yolanda Cruz lives in the Jeffrey Manor neighborhood on the Far South Side. She works part-time as a health aide in Hyde Park and buys a 7-day pass every week to get to work.

Yolanda knows the 7-day pass is more expensive in the long run than the monthly pass, but the upfront cost of the monthly pass is just too much for her.

“You can’t buy a monthly pass when you have to think about paying your bills,” said Yolanda,

Tags: Advocacy, Back on the Bus, Fair Fares Chi, Fair Fares Chicagoland, transit, Transit Equity

What Uber and Lyft aren’t saying about new Chicago fees

Nov 12, 2019 | by Kyle Whitehead

There’s so much misinformation flying around about Mayor Lightfoot’s changes to the Uber and Lyft fee structure that it’s easy to lose sight of what’s proposed.

HIGHER FEES ON DOWNTOWN TRIPS

The Mayor’s proposal targets downtown trips by adding a fee of $1.75 for solo trips and 65 cents for shared trips that start or end in and around the Loop.

Data shows nearly half of all Uber and Lyft trips start or end downtown.

Tags: Advocacy, Back on the Bus, Chicago, Chicago Central, Downtown, Equity, new mobility, public transit, transit

CTA Celebrates its 72nd Anniversary

Oct 21, 2019 | by Crispina Ojeda Simmons

A recent ride on the CTA’s 6000-series rail car provided an opportunity to travel back to 1959 when these cars were brand-new.

The feel of these cars is different from the CTA cars currently in use. For starters, the window seat in the front offers a wide view of the buildings, platforms, rail tracks, and signaling system. The plush seats gave the car a touch of old luxury.

Advertising and the CTA map in the rail cars dated back to the 1990’s,

Tags: Downtown, transit

Lightfoot increases ride-hailing fees, expands Bus Priority Zones

Oct 18, 2019 | by Kyle Whitehead

Mayor Lightfoot announced Friday she’ll use a portion of the revenue from new downtown ride-hailing fees to help expand Chicago’s network of bus priority streets. This is good news for anyone who wants better bus service and less congestion on Chicago streets.

Chicago residents: tell Mayor Lightfoot and your alderman you support fair fees and better bus service.

Active Trans Interim Executive Director Melody Geraci’s delivered some remarks at the announcement press conference with the Mayor (see photo left and video).

Tags: Advocacy, Back on the Bus, Back ont he Bus, Bus, Bus report cards, Chicago, Chicago Central, chicago north, Chicago North Side, chicago north west, chicago south, Chicago South Side, Chicago West & Southwest Side, Chicago West Side, Downtown, Equity, public transit, transit

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