Transit Investments for the Olympic Games

In just two weeks, Beijing, China, will take center stage as the 29^th Summer Olympic Games begin in one of the world’s most populated cities. The Games provide an unique opportunity for the host city to shine in front of a worldwide audience and introduce innovative practices that can leave a lasting legacy. As part of the legacy from the ’08 Games, Beijing hopes to deliver a ‘green’ Olympics. While the athlete’s victories are captured on camera, China hopes to implement a transportation strategy worthy of a gold medal.

In order to accommodate the 300 sporting events, 16,000 athletes and coaches, and more than 9 million spectators, host cities must enact aggressive transportation plans, with a considerable transit investment to provide fast, reliable options for the worldwide event. According to the Wall Street Journal, it is estimated the Chinese government spent more than $42 billion to host the Olympic Games. A large majority of that budget was allocated for transit investments, which included the addition of 10 miles of bus rapid transit (BRT), purchase of almost 500 electric, hybrid and natural gas-powered buses and taxis, as well as 2,000 new diesel buses to their existing routes. The city recently opened a new $2.3 billion subway line and light rail line to connect the airport and the city’s central transportation hub. Olympic ticket holders will be given free rides on all Beijing’s public transportation and an estimated 3.3 million private cars will be given limited access to drive during the games.

Chicago, a finalist for the 2016 Olympic Games, may have much of the infrastructure already in place to accommodate the most prestigious international sporting event in the world. But, it is critical that Illinois passes a state capital bill that prioritizes transportation investments, and maintains and upgrades our current system – not only for the benefit of Olympic athletes and visitors for two weeks in 2016, but for the benefit of Chicago and the entire region for the next few decades.

Beijing West Railway Station - Photograph Courtesy of Andreas Reufer

For additional information:

News

Local News

Concerns over fees drive parking debate – Naperville Sun “The city has a nine-year-long list with 1,740 people on it waiting for parking permits, and if you want a spot in daily parking, you had better get there early.”

CTA bus tracker online program adding more routes – Chicago Tribune “Under the expanded Bus Tracker system, bus riders with computers, cell phones or other wireless devices that can access the Internet will now be able to get estimated arrival times at bus stops for all buses on 67 of the CTA’s 153 bus routes, according to the transit agency.”

CTA considers ripping out seats to pack in more people – Chicago Sun-Times “CTA L cars could become more like cattle cars if the transit agency goes ahead with plans to remove seats on some L cars in the next few months to squeeze in all the riders leaving their cars home and turning to mass transit.”

‘L’ may stop in food aisle – Chicago Tribune “The CTA wants to investigate having some ‘L’ trains stop inside supermarkets, or perhaps host mini-banks and restaurants on its property, as it seeks to more fully benefit commercially from its far-flung network of rail and bus routes.”

Bike shelters to be built at 4 CTA train stations – Chicago Tribune “Ground is scheduled to be broken in mid-August for indoor bicycle shelters at four CTA train stations, city officials said.”

Fighting over trains – Daily Herald “Company leaders contend it will relieve congestion in the Chicago area where a train bottleneck causes costly delays. But as CN moves freight trains off its lines, numerous locations on the EJ&E would handle 15 to 24 more a day, the company projects.”

World News

So soon? Fares and tolls rise in MTA plan – New York Times “The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will propose a substantial increase in transit fares and bridge and tunnel tolls next year to help close a widening budget gap of nearly $900 million, according to an official at the authority.”

North America’s Most Bike-Friendly Cities – Forbes Traveler “It’s official – more and more Americans and Canadians are choosing to pedal around over pushing the pedal to the metal.”

As gas prices rise, police departments turn to foot patrols – New York Times “The Houston Police Department exceeded its gasoline budget of $8.7 million last year and expects to spend $11.3 million this year. San Diego, which budgets fuel costs citywide, already expects to exceed its budget for the fiscal year that started July 1 by $1.5 million.”

Castle bill seeks I-95 traffic fix – The Delaware News Journal “Prioritizing the limited resources would cut down on wasteful spending, such as the $223 million ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ in Alaska that would connect one small town to a small island, Castle said.”

End Gridlock on the Runway – New York Times “Yet while consumers are clamoring for planes that arrive and depart on time, airline lobbyists are trying to block efforts by the Transportation Department to reduce congestion, keep airfares affordable and increase the number of passengers who can fly at our most popular airports.”

Can’t find a parking spot? Check Smartphone – New York Times “This fall, San Francisco will test 6,000 of its 24,000 metered parking spaces in the nation’s most ambitious trial of a wireless sensor network that will announce which of the spaces are free at any moment.”

Fuel for Thought: Gas prices changing commuters’ attitudes – Sign on San Diego “Long-distance commutes will strain budgets, and demand for urban living closer to employment centers will grow, land-use experts say.”

N.H. to host forum on rail revitalization – Boston Globe “Given the high gas prices and the public’s desire for more transportation choices, New Hampshire’s rail enthusiasts are displaying ‘I think I can’ optimism when it comes to expanding passenger train service.”

Resources

A Better Way to Go: Meeting America’s 21^st Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public Transit – USPIRG Education Fund
Interactive Map: The recent growth of transit in the US: 2007-2008 – National Transit Database

Contact Information

For comments, suggestions or submissions, please contact Michael McLaughlin, Director of Regional Policy and Transportation, at mmclaughlin@metroplanning.org or 312-863-6022.