Blog

Chicago celebrates Transit Equity Day with Reps. Garcia and Kelly

Feb 11, 2021 | by Active Trans

Hundreds of advocates and community leaders joined Congressman Chuy Garcia and Congresswoman Robin Kelly in Chicago’s first celebration of National Transit Equity Day on February 4. 

Transit Equity Day serves as a national day of action that commemorates the birthday of Rosa Parks while reminding us that public transit is a civil right. It was started four years ago by a network of transit rider unions, community organizations, environmental advocates, and labor unions.

Veteran advocate brings equity, affordability to the region’s transportation system

Feb 8, 2021 | by Maya Norris

Jacky Grimshaw has made an indelible mark on the transportation scene in metropolitan Chicago. The longtime sustainable transportation advocate has spent the last 30 years working to improve walking, bicycling, and public transit conditions in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

She’s been a prominent, influential force that has helped to shape and advance an equitable, affordable, and sustainable transportation system in the region.

Her impressive achievements in the sector have earned her Active Transportation Alliance’s Visionary Leadership Award,

Bicycle Film Festival comes to Chicago on Feb. 24

Feb 1, 2021 | by Active Trans

The Bicycle Film festival has been celebrating bicycles through art, film, and music since 2001.

This year, when the festival makes its virtual stop in Chicago February 24 – March 7, Active Trans will serve as the host.

The film festival appeals to a wide audience, from film connoisseurs to avid cyclists and everyone in between.

A portion of proceeds will go towards Active Trans to help further our mission of creating better walking,

Progress on transit equity starts with changing funding formulas

Jan 25, 2021 | by Kyle Whitehead

To achieve greater equity in the Chicago region, we must fundamentally rethink how we’re spending our limited transportation dollars.

This is why the Regional Transportation Authority’s (RTA) — the region’s public transit oversight agency — recent decision to focus federal COVID relief funds in the highest need service areas is so important.

The agency chose not to simply pass the money through to Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace using a decades-old standard formula,

Join us on Transit Equity Day, Thursday, Feb. 4

Jan 22, 2021 | by Julia Gerasimenko

For the past four years on February 4, a network of transit rider unions, community organizations, environmental groups, and labor unions have organized Transit Equity Day.

Transit Equity Day serves as a national day of action that commemorates the birthday of Rosa Parks while reminding us that public transit is a civil right.

We hope you can join us for Chicago’s first Transit Equity Day celebration on February 4 at noon.

Learn the ins and outs of improving transportation in your suburb

Jan 22, 2021 | by Maggie Melin Czerwinski

Join us in February for a week-long mobilization event aimed at creating better walking, biking, and transit in Chicagoland’s suburban communities.

Suburban Action Week, taking place February 15 – 20, will feature a series of short online talks and workshops with advocates, county staff, and community leaders from the region.

Whether you are new to advocacy, a seasoned leader, or anywhere in between, if you are interested in seeing improved transportation options in your community,

Second e-scooter pilot serves as another step forward

Jan 19, 2021 | by Alex Perez

After two years of pilot programs, Chicago is well-positioned to create a long-term e-scooter sharing program that is focused on neighborhoods lacking transportation options.

The four-month long second e-scooter pilot program ended in mid-December. Bird, Lime, and Spin were the vendors, with a limit of 3,333 scooters per vendor. This was four times the number of scooters deployed in the 2019 pilot.

The Covid-19 pandemic led to lower ridership levels in 2020.

Free masks piloted on 20 CTA bus routes

Jan 14, 2021 | by Ted Villaire

The Chicago Transit Authority took an important step forward in keeping riders safe and healthy by starting to offer free, disposable face masks on approximately 200 buses serving 20 bus routes.

Kudos to the CTA for making the move, which began at the end of 2020. Making masks readily available on all buses and trains is the best way to ensure universal mask compliance.

Active Trans first called for CTA to provide free masks to all riders who need one in July.

Second stimulus is big win, but more work to do to save Chicago transit

Jan 11, 2021 | by Kyle Whitehead

The money coming to Chicago-area transit agencies from the second federal COVID relief bill should help avoid major additional service cuts in 2021, but the fight is far from over.

The COVID-19 Economic Relief Bill, passed by Congress in late December, includes approximately $486 million in emergency support for Chicago transit. The regional transit budget shortfall for 2021 was about $500 million prior to this assistance.

Thank you to the hundreds of advocates across the region who took action urging our Congressional leaders to fight for transit. 

Top 10 walking, biking, and transit stories of 2020

Jan 11, 2021 | by Kyle Whitehead

2020 was a challenging year on many fronts. The coronavirus devastated communities across Chicagoland in 2020 and the transportation impacts will be felt for years to come. 

Throughout the year, the Active Transportation Alliance continued to do the important work of fighting for clean and equitable transportation.

Here’s a look back at 10 of the most important walking, biking, and transit stories and advocacy victories of the year. 

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