Metra offers special promotion - Metropolitan Planning Council

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Metra offers special promotion

Metra will announce details of a major new ticket promotion to encourage Chicago area commuters to "take a test drive in one of our cars." 

The campaign will underscore the impact of steadily rising gas prices and the time, money and hassle that commuters can save by riding Metra. The core message is that “Metra Makes Life Easier” with convenient, on-time service from most anywhere in the Chicago area. 

Who: 
Metra Chairman Brad O'Halloran
MarySue Barrett, President of the Metropolitan Planning Council
Metra CEO Alex Clifford
 

What:
Press conference
Digital and printed materials will be available 

When:
2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26 

Where:
Metra's Millennium Station
Millennium Station’s main entrance is at the intersection of Randolph and Michigan near the Chicago Cultural Center. Press conference will be in front of ticket windows.

Why:              
The press conference will stress the numerous advantages of traveling by Metra, with additional emphasis on the volatility of gas prices and the amount of time and money Chicagoans waste annually sitting in traffic jams. According to a recent study, the average Chicagoan spends nearly 50 hours a year stuck in traffic, with the lost time and additional gas adding up to $1,738 a year. 

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Comments

  1. 1. Denis from mjoSDSaHLs on March 15, 2013

    I went to the APTA (or NAPTA, I think one linked to the other) site to see if I could find out more. I didn't see a press resaele. 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.

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