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COVID-19 resources and information from Active Trans
As we address the global pandemic, the Active Transportation Alliance is adapting and responding — and continuing to do the important work of fighting for clean and equitable transportation.
As with many other critical public systems, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the underlying inequities in Chicago’s transportation network.
Years of disinvestment mean that the Black and Latinx communities hit hardest by COVID-19 in Chicago were already struggling with inadequate transportation options before the pandemic.
Now public health measures have led to capacity limits on transit, and the evaporation of fare revenue raises the specter of future cuts to service. This is happening as essential workers, who are disproportionately Black and Latinx in Chicago, need access to affordable public transit more than ever.
Thanks to support from people like you, we’ve been able to deepen our understanding of the mobility challenges presented by the pandemic. During our “COVID-19 Listening Tour,” we held discussions with more than 100 community leaders across the region.
Among the many topics discussed in these conversations, people told us buses remain a critical lifeline for communities. But people also expressed frustration with the frequency and reliability of service.
That’s why we were pleased when CTA started rolling out dedicated bus lanes on a couple of the city’s busiest routes. This is a needed step that’s been one of Active Trans’ primary goals in recent years — and is even more important now when finances are strained and mobility is hampered for many people.
In addition to our community listening tour, Active Trans also conducted an analysis of demographic, travel, and public health data from the neighborhoods bearing the brunt of the pandemic in Chicago. These efforts have laid the groundwork for our overall COVID-19 response agenda.
With people like you behind us, we will continue to focus on Chicago’s pandemic response and recovery efforts and the mobility needs of the people most impacted by this public health and economic crises. Active Trans is uniquely positioned to lead this advocacy effort alongside our community partners and people like you.
We urgently need additional support for this work. Please consider donating and becoming an Active Trans member, if you’re not one already.
Linked below is information about our current work as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to the pandemic
- A local champion for transportation justice (Mar. 24, 2021)
- Belmont Cragin youth urge CTA board to upgrade bus service (Feb. 16, 2021)
- Chicago celebrates Transit Equity Day with Reps. Garcia and Kelly (Feb. 11, 2021)
- Progress on transit equity starts with changing funding formulas (Jan. 25, 2021)
- Join us on Transit Equity Day, Thursday, Feb. 4 (Jan. 22, 2021)
- Free masks piloted on 20 CTA bus routes (Jan. 14, 2021)
- Second stimulus is big win, but more work to do to save Chicago transit (Jan. 11, 2021)
- Top 10 walking, biking, and transit stories of 2020 (Jan. 11, 2021)
- Forum focuses on need to prevent transit collapse (Dec. 18, 2020)
- Transparency needed about possible cuts (Dec. 16, 2020)
- Food access survey results show discomfort, lack of access (Dec. 11, 2020)
- Virtual exercise demos help bicyclists stay active and prevent injuries during COVID (Dec. 11, 2020)
- Petition: CTA budget cut would harm vulnerable Chicagoans (Nov. 18, 2020)
- More information needed about airflow on Chicagoland buses and trains (Nov. 10, 2020)
- Metra rolls out bike car, eases bike restrictions during COVID (Nov. 6, 2020)
- Take our survey on food access and transportation (Nov. 2, 2020)
- Cameras can help Chicago slow down cars but must be deployed fairly (Oct. 27, 2020)
- Big threat looms for local transit riders if no action taken (Sept. 29, 2020)
- Pop-up bus lanes coming to Chicago Ave and 79th St. (Sept. 21, 2020)
- Metra must get past serving just white-collar suburban riders (Sept. 18, 2020)
- Support better transportation in Chicago’s 2021 budget (Sept. 8, 2020)
- The stress and uncertainty surrounding transportation (Sept. 2, 2020)
- How to get everyone wearing masks on public transit (Aug. 28, 2020)
- Mobility and essential travel during COVID-19 (Aug. 21, 2020)
- Mobility in the time of COVID-19 in the north and west suburbs (Aug. 20, 2020)
- Mobility in the time of COVID-19 in the south suburbs (Aug. 18, 2020)
- Chicago’s budget needs to advance bus and bike lanes (Aug. 18, 2020)
- Bus Fellows deliver comments to CTA board (Aug. 13, 2020)
- What transit justice means to Ald. Martin and State Sen. Peters (Aug. 3, 2020)
- Mobility in the time of COVID-19 on Chicago’s North Side (July 31, 2020)
- Transportation issues on the city’s Southwest Side during COVID-19 (July 28, 2020)
- Bus Fellows deliver budget request to City Council (July 23, 2020)
- Transportation issues on the city’s West Side during COVID-19 (July 23, 2020)
- Take action for 30 miles of bus lanes and masks for riders (July 20, 2020)
- Additional walking and biking guidance during COVID-19 (July 17, 2020)
- Tell Congress to keep Chicago transit moving (July 17, 2020)
- Biking during the pandemic (July 7, 2020)
- Mobility challenges in the time of COVID-19 on Chicago’s South Side (July 6, 2020)
- Community bike shops keep cyclists rolling during the pandemic (July 2, 2020)
- COVID-19 transportation listening tour (June 17, 2020)
- How some transit agencies are keeping riders informed (June 5, 2020)
- More steps needed for safe, convenient bus service (June 3, 2020)
- The challenges of staying safe while using transit (June 2, 2020)
- Chicago launches Our Streets as part of COVID-19 response (May 29, 2020)
- Public engagement needed around Metra’s off peak service cuts (May 20, 2020)
- Tips for transit riders during COVID-19 (May 20, 2020)
- Open streets and Chicagoland’s transportation recovery planning (May 6, 2020)
- Exploring open streets during COVID-19 (April 30, 2020)
- Safe walking and biking during COVID-19 (April 20, 2020)
- Advocates call for transit agencies to prioritize racial equity in COVID-19 response (April 16, 2020)
- Community-based organizations adapt to serve local needs (April 14, 2020)
- CTA, Pace announce boarding changes to protect workers and riders (April 9, 2020)
- Supporting the transportation needs of essential workers (April 7, 2020)
- Federal stimulus bill includes $1.6 billion for Chicagoland transit (March 27, 2020)
- Transit operators need stronger protections (March 27, 2020)
- Essential travel must take priority during COVID-19 crisis (March 26, 2020)
- Bike shops to stay open during “stay at home” order (March 20, 2020)
- Continuing to push for safe, just, and livable streets (March 19, 2020)
Resources for parents and teachers
- Lessons in walking and biking safety (April 15, 2020)
- Fun walking and biking resources for kids (April 1, 2020)
If you use Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, please consider sharing our infographics on using transit safely and walking and biking safely, as well as our sharaeble social media graphics.
Please keep following us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for your regular dose of inspiration and reliable information.
We rely heavily on members and supporters like you to make our work possible.
If you’re able, please consider donating to Active Trans or becoming a member of the organization to help ensure our financial stability during this uncertain time.
Thank you for being part of the fight for better transportation options.
Please refer to these public health resources for more information:
- National: Center for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC)
- State: Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
- Chicagoland:
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