Blog

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

CTA launches prepaid bus boarding pilot

By Ted Villaire | June 8, 2016

Post image: This week the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launched a prepaid bus boarding pilot program at the Belmont Blue Line station – a big step for an agency trying to improve local bus service. Customers boarding westbound #77 Belmont buses during the evening rush no longer have to wait to pay fares as they board. Instead, CTA says they can prepay […]

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State’s multiyear plan shows misplaced priorities

By Ted Villaire | June 7, 2016

Post image:  The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) released its new six-year, $11.2 billion spending plan, and it’s sadly lacking in projects that benefit people who walk, bike and ride public transit. Like previous iterations, the 2017-2022 plan is full of projects designed to move as many cars as possible as fast as possible along Illinois’ roadways, in addition to routine maintenance of […]

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People walking need safer streets

By Ted Villaire | June 6, 2016

Post image:  Last week, the Chicago Tribune published an article about how more people walking are getting killed by drivers in Chicagoland.  While we were glad to see the coverage of this terrible development, we thought the article failed to make important distinctions. In particular, readers need to know that the greatest danger in a crash lies with drivers. And likewise, the fault […]

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CDOT, aldermen share plans for new greenways

By Ted Villaire | May 31, 2016

Post image:  Wood and Cortland Streets in Bucktown are slated to get big improvements for people walking and biking. On May 25, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), along with 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins and 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack, hosted a public meeting to solicit community input on a proposed neighborhood greenways for these two critical links in […]

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Proposed BRT in Gary will aid local development

By Ted Villaire | May 26, 2016

Rail systems are a fast, often preferable transit option for many people, but building them is time consuming and costly. Bus rapid transit (BRT) offers the experience of rail in the form of four wheels. BRT is a more economical approach for cities to improve the speed and reliability of their bus service. It has also proven to spur development. The […]

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Brookfield plants flag as bike-friendly community

By Ted Villaire | May 24, 2016

Post image:  Hundreds of people enjoyed the spring weather over the weekend for the Village of Brookfield’s inaugural Bike Brookfield event.   The event — which included a kids ride, a 5K/10K community ride and an after party with live music and raffle prizes from area businesses — drew people from all parts of the community and all ages, along with […]

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Lincoln Ave. and 31st St. buses to return with limited service

By Ted Villaire | May 20, 2016

Post image:  The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced the launch dates and service details for the Lincoln Avenue (#11) and 31st Street (#31) bus pilot programs. While many residents were glad to see service for these routes reinstated, some neighborhood advocates are worried the service is too limited to make an impact. The agency has been developing both of the six-month […]

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No more ghost bikes

By Ted Villaire | May 19, 2016

In Chicago and its suburbs, about 15 people are killed and 3,000 injured every year while riding a bike. Last night I joined more than 100 cyclists in Chicago, and thousands more around the world, for the annual Ride of Silence. The ride honors the victims of cycling fatalities as well as their families.   In Chicago Ride of Silence volunteers […]

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New bike education effort aimed at older students

By Ted Villaire | May 18, 2016

Post image:  Active Trans and Greenline Wheels just wrapped up a new two-week on-bike education program for students at Oak Park/River Forest High School.  The program was partly the result of input from concerned residents and teachers in the OPRF community.  The program’s goals are to:  Teach kids about bike safety. Ensure that they know about biking traffic laws and […]

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Coalition wants to upgrade Metra Electric to rapid transit

By Ted Villaire | May 17, 2016

Post image:  For decades, South Chicagoland residents and transit experts have recognized the potential benefits of enhancing service along the Metra Electric District (MED) line. Now, after many years, there’s a renewed effort encouraging Metra to commit to improvements. Active Trans has joined more than a dozen community groups from the South Side and South Suburbs as part of the […]

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