Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about bus lanes

The Loop Link system on Washington Street. Photo: CDOT

For a More Efficient and Equitable Chicago, Swap Car Lanes for Bus and Bike Lanes

By Lynda Lopez and John Greenfield | Aug 26, 2019 | 14 Comments

Lori Lightfoot’s platform showed she understands that our city needs a less auto-centric transportation system. Let’s make sure she follows through on her promises.

Until Buses Get Priority, Living in a “Transit-Rich” Neighborhood Only Goes So Far

By Courtney Cobbs | Jun 20, 2019 | 36 Comments

Living in a neighborhood with lots of bus service is of limited use if the buses get stuck in traffic generated by drivers. That's why we need bus-only lanes and other time-saving strategies.

Rendering of the new cul-de-sac and bus boarding area at Chicago and May.

City Announces New Bus Speed Initiative, But Will Drivers Respect the New Lanes?

By John Greenfield | Apr 19, 2019 | 12 Comments

The upgrades include a new wide boarding area at Chicago/Milwaukee, a mile of bus lanes on Chicago Avenue downtown, and improvements on Western and 79th.

Where Do Lori and Toni Part Ways on Transportation?

By John Greenfield | Apr 1, 2019 | 1 Comment

Lightfoot's positions on bike/walk funding, the North LASD rehab, reduced CTA fares, and bus lane enforcement are arguably more progressive, but neither candidate is terrible on transportation.

Within a quarter mile of these bus route segments, the usual parking requirements for new developments would essentially be waived. Map: Steven Vance

How Chicago’s New Bus TOD Ordinance Could Help Underserved Communities

By David Zegeye | Dec 17, 2018 | 6 Comments

By expanding the areas that are eligible for TOD to include zones around busy bus corridors, the city could help spur investment in low-income neighborhoods.

Jeff Wegerson says CTA bus drivers sometimes use the bike and parking lanes on Fullerton in Lincoln Park as de facto bus-only lanes. Image: Google Street View

An (Imaginary) Plot to Create CTA Bus-Only Lanes?

By Jeff Wegerson | Mar 27, 2018 | 8 Comments

Jeff Wegerson envisions a clever scheme by the CTA to speed up Chicago buses.

Bus Riders Have a New, Faster Service on Broadway Avenue in Gary

By Igor Studenkov | Mar 15, 2018 | 1 Comment

Service on the Broadway Metro Express is now three times an hour instead of the two times per hour of the two routes it replaces.

Jarrett Walker speaking at the National Shared Mobility Summit. Photo: Timmy Samuel/Starbelly Studios Photography

Fixed-Route Buses Are the Future, Jarrett Walker Argues, Urging Skepticism of Technology

By Jeff McMahon | Mar 14, 2018 | 34 Comments

Even if a big bus in the suburb looks empty some of the time, it's still the most efficient choice, Jarrett Walker said at a conference.

North LSD Survey Says: People Want More Buses, Fewer Cars

By Jessica Papanek | Dec 7, 2017 | 14 Comments

The solution is clear: build more bus lanes. But IDOT doesn't seem to have fully gotten the memo yet.

The time it takes for everyone to get on the bus can sometimes take up 20 percent of the bus's travel time. Photo: Anne Evans

Upgrades to These Six Bus Routes Would Improve Transit Citywide

By Steven Vance | Nov 17, 2017 | 16 Comments

The Active Transportation Alliance proposed infrastructure upgrades for six specific routes across Chicago.

Chicago Transit Needs an Upgrade: 5 Universal Features of European City Transit

By Steven Vance | Jan 23, 2017 | 34 Comments

This isn't a wish list. These are five standard features of most bus networks in Europe.

Central Loop BRT Will Skimp On Key “Rapid” Features

By Steven Vance | Jul 23, 2014 | 31 Comments

The Central Loop Bus Rapid Transit project will launch without key features that distinguish BRT from conventional bus service. The busways, which the Chicago Department of Transportation will begin building later this year, will include most of BRT’s concrete features, like high-level bus-boarding platforms and dedicated lanes. These features will undoubtedly speed up six Chicago […]

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