Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about COVID-19

A Metra Union Pacific West train and a CTA Green Line train cross paths on Lake Street. Photo: Jeff Zoline

CTA, Pace, and Metra are fighting over federal COVID stimulus funding split

By Igor Studenkov | Nov 5, 2021 | No Comments

CTA and Pace officials have objected to the Regional Transportation Authority's proposal for divvying up American Rescue Plan Act stimulus funds between those systems and Metra.

A CTA bus on Chicago's Michigan Avenue. Photo: John Greenfield

I’m fairly optimistic about the future of public transportation – if we take action now

By John Greenfield | Nov 3, 2021 | No Comments

As Mark Twain might have said, reports of the death of transit have been greatly exaggerated, but we do need to take decisive action to make buses and trains a more reliable and appealing option.

State Street in the Loop earlier this month. Photo: John Greenfield

September Loop Alliance report shows slow, steady increase in walking, transit use

By Sharon Hoyer | Oct 29, 2021 | No Comments

Hopefully promotional fares on the CTA, Metra, and the South Shore Line will help incentivize more folks to return to transit and drive less.

The crowded South Shore Line platform on my trip home from the Indiana Dunes Sunday afternoon. Ridership seems to be picking up. Photo: John Greenfield

Why the South Shore Line is offering free eastbound rides all day, every weekday

By John Greenfield | Oct 25, 2021 | No Comments

"In order to get back to the revenue that we need to generate in the long term, we need to incentivize people to get back on the trains."

CTA buses near Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue. Photo: John Greenfield

Deep discounts on CTA fare passes have helped fuel pandemic ridership recovery

By John Greenfield | Sep 15, 2021 | No Comments

The agency is crediting the sale with spurring a nearly 70 percent increase in average ridership among pass users.

Riders board the Route 383 bus at Midway Airport. The route is returning to its pre-pandemic schedule, with some service changes, on August 8. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Pace launches campaign to attract riders, restores some pre-pandemic service

By Igor Studenkov | Aug 3, 2021 | No Comments

As Pace takes its first steps toward reversing some of its pandemic-related service cuts, it’s launching an ad campaign to bring riders back.

The Seminary Slow Street passes under the Brown Line tracks north of Roscoe Avenue. Photo: John Greenfield

Eyes on the Street: A new slow street on Seminary Avenue in Lakeview

By John Greenfield | Jul 26, 2021 | No Comments

Thankfully, nowadays space for social distancing is not such an urgent need. But many residents appreciated the Slow Streets, so CDOT has brought back some of them, and is piloting a couple new ones.

Waiting for trains at the Quincy station this week. Photo: John Greenfield

Carpacalypse now: CLA report shows skyrocketing parking levels, modest transit gains

By Sharon Hoyer | Jul 22, 2021 | No Comments

The carmaggeddon these Chicago Loop Alliance reports forecasted months ago is here.

A four-flat in the Washington Heights community on Chicago's Far South Side. Modest zoning changes to allow small multiunit buildings near transit in areas that are currently zoned for single-family homes only could have a big impact on ridership. Photo: Eric Allix Rogers

Allowing more density would help Chicago avoid a post-COVID transit death spiral

By Richard Day | Jul 16, 2021 | No Comments

To secure the future of transit in Chicago, we need to update the zoning code to allow two-flats and low-rise apartments near transit in neighborhoods across the city.

A bus on the Loop Link corridor on Washington Street. Photo: John Greenfield

The CTA touts a ridership rebound with 56% increase since start of 2021

By John Greenfield | Jul 9, 2021 | No Comments

Since May 1, overall ridership has increased by than 20 percent, and in June, weekday average ridership was more than 600,000, over double the ridership during the darkest days of COVID-19.

The Metra All-Day Pass. Photo: Igor Studentkov

That’s the ticket! Metra’s new All-Day Pass has been unexpectedly successful

By Igor Studenkov | Jun 29, 2021 | No Comments

The All-Day Pass was originally only meant to last a few weeks, but it's been hugely popular. According to the railroad, about a third of all riders currently use it.

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