In the news 2020

CTA Piloting Free Face Mask Dispensers on 20 Bus Routes (WTTW; December 29, 2020)
The CTA will provide free, disposable face masks to riders on 20 high-ridership bus routes on a trial basis. The announcement was welcomed by Active Trans, which has been calling for the free dispensers since July.

How Essential Workers Who Rely on Transit Have Handled the Pandemic  (WTTW; December 14, 2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a reminder of what many have already known: Because public transit gets so many people where they need to go daily, it is vital to keeping Chicago’s communities functioning — whether you ride it or not — according to Bus Organizing Fellow Rylen Clark.

Active Transportation Alliance looked back at a tumultuous year during its annual meeting (Streetsblog Chicago; December 7, 2020)
Active Trans celebrates its 2020 achievements, recognizes its outstanding volunteers and advocates, and outlines its 2021 priorities at its annual meeting.

Community responds to the summer’s unprecedented transportation shutdowns (Gazette Chicago)
Active Trans disapproves of the last-minute public transit shutdowns that the CTA enacted in the wake of the protests and looting that took place in Chicago over the summer because the suspension of bus and rail service affected the most vulnerable residents that rely on it.

Take the long view, Chicago, and make sure public transit survives and thrives post-COVID-19 (Chicago Sun-Times; September 25, 2020)
To avoid a post-COVID carpocalypse, Chicago must expand its network of resilient streets that make walking, biking, and transit safe, easy, and fast, writes Active Trans Executive Director Amy Rynell, President MarySue Barrett of Metropolitan Planning Council, and Senior Manager Ron Burke of Lyft Bikes and Scooters.

Chicago is Lagging Behind Other Cities in Creating Protected Bike Lanes, Active Trans Says (Block Club Chicago; September 25, 2020)
Active Trans calls on the city and state to dedicate more funding and manpower toward creating more protected bike lanes after releasing an analysis that says Chicago is lagging behind other cities.

Let’s lobby for fair sustainable transportation funding in Chicago’s 2021 budget (Streetsblog Chicago; September 14, 2020)
Active Trans unveils its top priorities for improving walking, biking, and transit for Chicago’s upcoming 2021 transportation budget.

Study examines link between transit use and COVID-19 (Fox 32; September 4, 2020)
Advocacy Manager Alex Perez shares the findings of an Active Trans study that found that communities of color on the South and West Sides of Chicago are more likely to commute to work via public transit and, therefore, are disproportionately at risk for contracting COVID-19.

Black And Brown Essential Workers Had To Keep Taking Buses And Trains Despite Coronavirus Risks, Research Shows  (Block Club Chicago; August 26, 2020)
Analysis from Active Trans shows that essential workers living in Chicago’s Black and Brown neighborhoods have had to continue taking public transit during the coronavirus pandemic despite the risk.

Shutting down public transit is unfair to Chicagoans who need it most  (Chicago Sun-Times; August 16, 2020)
Active Trans Executive Director Amy Rynell calls for transparency from city officials to understand why they are severely limiting public transit, a service thousands of working-class Chicagoans depend on.

Officials discuss menu system overhaul, inequitable shutdowns at ATA transit town hall  (Streetsblog Chicago; July 22, 2020)
Illinois State Sen. Robert Peters and 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin discuss how to improve transportation equity at Active Trans’ virtual town hall.

Riding Your Bike Or Going For A Walk? Here’s How To Stay Safe From Coronavirus  (Block Club Chicago; April 22, 2020)
Active Trans released guidelines for how to walk and bike safely without catching the coronavirus or spreading it to others.

Hiring more cops to chase down Metra fare evaders is a waste of money (Chicago Sun-Times; January 20, 2020)
Instead of ramping up law enforcement of fare evasion on Metra trains, Active Trans proposes creating a reduced fare program for low-income residents and imposing community service hours as an alternative to criminal penalties.