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Keywords

Chicago Transit Authority, commuter rail, commutes, Metra, Pace, public transportation, transit

Comments

1. 1. Birpal from vWuRrFnEtzk on February 28, 2012

   I went to the APTA (or NAPTA, I think one lkneid to the other) site to see if I could find out more. I didn't see a press release. I still don't know to what number or to whom I would've sent the text you mention. I did find a petition that could be signed that supported mass transit and I signed that & listed some of the reasons I think it's useful or that I use it since there was space for that.I use public transit when I can. What I have seen where I live is that too many decisions are made to benefit the wealthy. Where I live, the city would rather subsidize (by purchasing) a small general aviation airport, which is predominantly used by those who are wealthy enough to own/lease small planes and/or helicopters. Which is maybe 5% of the people living with the town's limits. A commercial shuttle has been attempted twice, one in the '90 s, again recently and this last effort, even with a substantial state transportation grant, the shuttle didn't average even 1/2 full (a 9 passenger plane) even w/a subsidized fare. The city will not even consider helping to subsidize a commute bus to the nearest large town (about 60 miles away) even though there are close links between the university there & the marine science center here. It looks like people will go the van pool route instead. There is also a right of way that could serve for a rail track from the nearest town (6 miles or so away) and the port here it could also, eventually, w/track work, serve passenger rail as well. A win/win, you'd think a commercial & passenger rail link. Not according to this city council, etc. They just want their airport paid for by taxpayers. So, I use mass transit when I can, I support it, but I don't see the PTB doing much but looking to see how to use tax dollars to support what they want.