transportation
Coming this fall: Rapid transit buses to ‘Jump’ ahead of traffic
The CTA bus service that will get some South Side riders a straight shot downtown during rush hours now has a name: the Jeffery Jump. Beginning in November from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m., a lane will be set aside …
City looking for a few good goats — for O’Hare job
Help wanted: One shepherd with at least 25 sheep. Goatherds also welcome to apply. Must be able to tolerate the roar of jet planes overhead.
It’s certainly not the typical contract the city puts out for bid for O’Hare International Airport.
But the city’s Aviation …
CTA cuts 12 bus routes, adds more L train runs and service to 48 bus routes
The CTA on Wednesday approved a plan targeting overcrowding on trains and buses, which will add more service to 48 bus routes and six rail lines, but cut 12 bus routes by December. It means the rush-hour commute on Blue, Red Brown, Purple, Orange and …
Chicago ready to buy land near Union Station for bus rapid transit center
Chicago would acquire a surface parking lot near Union Station to build an “intermodal transportation center” needed to bring bus rapid transit to the Loop, under an ordinance to be introduced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. The mayor’s plan would authorize …
Amtrak passenger numbers surge in Illinois
The number of people using Amtrak’s rail service in Illinois jumped by 5.5 percent over the last 11 months.
CTA offers free rides to CPS students during strike
Chicago Public Schools students stuck without a school can ride the CTA for free during the teachers strike.
The Chicago Transit Authority announced Monday it will provide free rides to students who show their CPS identification cards or reduced fare cards to operators or customer …
State Street closed to vehicles Saturday in Loop
The Open Streets program will close State Street to vehicles from Lake to Van Buren for five hours Saturday.
NTSB urges safety gear for taxiing jets after incidents at O’Hare, other airports
Big jetliners should be equipped with anti-collision equipment such as cameras to help pilots avoid clipping wingtips while taxiing, the National Transportation Safety Board is recommending in the wake of a series of “runway incursions,” including one in May at O’Hare Airport.
Illinois Tollway suing worst scofflaws
If you’ve got outstanding violations for unpaid tolls, you’d better pay up, or you may find yourself in court. Seeking to recover some of the more than $300 million in unpaid tolls, the Illinois Tollway on Thursday announced plans to pursue its worst toll violators …
City aims to end pedestrian deaths over next decade
The city unveiled Thursday its first-ever pedestrian safety plan, which includes more than 250 recommendations Chicago’s transportation chief hopes will eliminate all pedestrian fatalities in 10 years. If funded, the “Zero in Ten” program would annually identify two high crash corridors and four intersections and …
Major Lake Shore Drive resurfacing project begins today
Traffic on Lake Shore Drive will be a little bit more crowded as a major resurfacing project begins today.
Metra breaks ground on new station in Ravenswood
Ravenswood Metra commuters will soon get covered platforms and warming shelters to survive Chicago’s bitter winters. The transit agency on Wednesday broke ground on the construction of a new Ravenswood Station on the Union Pacific North Line to replace the existing one just south of …
South Side corridor a hot spot for pedestrian crashes
The area bounded by 63rd Street to the north, 79th Street to the south, California to the west and Stony Island to the east is a massive hot spot for pedestrian crashes in Chicago.
Two-wheel trouble: Bike crashes in city up 38% over the past decade
The number of bike crashes has been on the rise in Chicago, and new bike lines only will put more cyclists on the streets. Is City Hall taking the right approach to keep riders safe – and keep car traffic moving?
Walking in downtown Chicago? Beware the taxicabs
Taxis are involved in one out of four traffic crashes that involve pedestrians in the Loop and on the Near North Side. Will new city rules limiting cab drivers’ hours fix the problem — or make it worse?
