#BustedCommute

In early 2018, the Metropolitan Planning Council launched #BustedCommute, a social media campaign inviting people to document their first-hand encounters with Illinois’ crumbling transportation infrastructure. From highways, buses, trains and sidewalks, from underneath bridges and flooded El stations, images started rolling in.

The #BustedCommute campaign was featured on WGN-TV with Amy Rutledge, WBEZ’s “The Morning Shift” with Tony Sarabia, Univision with Natalie Pérez, John Greenfield’s Streetsblog and elsewhere.

Documenting the problem in images and video empowers us to advocate for sustainable revenue for our state's transportation network. Here is a collection of Tweets, emails and pictures from people across Illinois that illustrates the urgent need for sustainable transportation investments. From epic potholes to decrepit bridges, this album captures our favorite #BustedCommute media.

Download the #BustedCommute Photo Album

It's not too late to join the #BustedCommute call: 

Are you constantly dodging potholes or shelling out for repairs? Did your bus or train break down recently? Is it tough to bike safely on roads near you? Are sidewalks in your neighborhood in bad condition or nonexistent? Has a transportation problem ever caused you to miss an important event?

Jeremy Glover

"Train broke down on the platform right at rush hour. Crushing crowds."

We now know that help isn't coming from Washington: We need the State of Illinois to get with the program. So help us improve your commute! Let's crowd-source stories and photos of the problem so the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) can use its independent voice to advocate for sustainable revenue for Illinois transportation solutions. Snap a photo or video, tell us how transportation challenges affect your life, and share with the hashtag #BustedCommute. 

The fine print: The Metropolitan Planning Council and partners are collecting photos, videos and stories of transportation challenges in Illinois using Twitter and email. Here’s how to join the chorus:

• Snap a photo or video and write a caption. Tell us what happened and where (a particular train station, bus stop, intersection, town, or neighborhood). 
• Post your captioned image on Twitter with #BustedCommute. We'll comb the feed. You can also Tweet to us directly @metroplanners.
• Or email us your photo and story at bustedcommute@metroplanning.org