Fighting Congestion - Metropolitan Planning Council

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Fighting Congestion

On April 29, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters named Chicago as the recipient of a $153 million federal grant to implement congestion relief in Chicago by adding 10 miles of new, improved, and passenger-friendly bus service to city streets.

On April 29, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters named Chicago as the recipient of a $153 million federal grant to implement congestion relief in Chicago by adding 10 miles of new, improved, and passenger-friendly bus service to city streets. The new bus rapid transit (BRT) system will be implemented concurrently with a new parking policy designed to encourage people to take public transit.

 

The city’s plan to create a BRT network brings Chicago ’s public transit system into the 21 st Century. With sleek, energy-efficient buses in designated lanes, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will be able to transport passengers quickly to their destinations using improved services and advanced technology. The city has not announced specific route locations, but will ultimately add more than 100 miles of bus-only lanes along the city’s major corridors, to provide quick and easy access for commuters leaving their cars at home. Money from the federal grant will pay for new hybrid buses, a kiosk system to allow passengers to pre-pay their fares for quicker boarding, and the implementation of stoplight technology that allows buses to acquire a priority green light.

To increase transit usage and reduce congestion on city streets, central business district parking fees will be increased during rush hour, and a truck-loading zone system will be established to reduce redundant truck trips. While BRT and parking pricing are not new ideas, Chicago will be the first major city in the U.S. to implement such a comprehensive program on a city-wide scale. These proactive measures to alleviate traffic will help save our region billions in congestion- related costs, reduce our dependency on oil, and improve the overall quality of our environment.

With gasoline topping $4 a gallon, providing people with fast, efficient alternatives to being stuck in car traffic is essential. Cities like Los Angeles and Vancouver have successfully implemented BRT corridors and are already realizing numerous benefits. If the Chicago City Council and CTA Board approve this measure, Chicago will be on the right track to breathing easier, living healthier, and keeping the region moving.

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