Will Chicago Transit Keep Up with the Nation?
Last week’s “Innovation + Integration” event, presented by CMAP, focused on linking jobs, housing and transportation, and it was evident that Chicago is glaringly behind other U.S. cities in a key component to this: transit planning and funding. Lead speaker, Shelly Poticha of Reconnecting America, put the challenge out to Chicago planners and leaders to take advantage of the enormous asset that transit can be to our city. Speakers throughout the day highlighted how other cities such as Los Angeles and Atlanta are organizing themselves to make the most of their transit systems while it appears that Chicago continues to let its infrastructure fall behind in funding, maintenance and improvement.
The purpose of “Innovation + Integration” was to highlight best practices for linking transit assets with jobs and housing in the region. Yet it seems that the first step for us in the Chicago area is to demonstrate to our State leaders how important transit is to the economy and quality of life throughout the region.
Across the country, transit ridership is on the upswing, according to Poticha. With the combined “perfect storm” of congestion, gas prices, and cost of owning and operating a car, residents of metropolitan areas are demanding that transit be a viable option for commutes to work, households errands, and accessing recreation and entertainment amenities. And, despite Chicago’s extensive system, ridership is actually on the downswing in the region.
So while the rest of the nation’s cities blow past our ‘extensive’ system by coordinating transportation options-including light rail and streetcars-with housing and development activities, Chicago may continue to be plagued by congestion, air pollution and a car-oriented environment.
All is not lost here in Chicago, though. As an example of some of the progressive and truly visionary work going on in Illinois, the mayor of Blue Island, Donald Peloquin, spoke about his city’s plans to redevelop around transit stations and cargo distribution centers as a means of reinvigorating the old industrial city, while the Mayor of Arlington Heights, Arlene J. Mulder pointed out just how suburbs like Arlington Heights are working to integrate transit to make their cities more walkable and livable.
To hear audio of the presentations made at “Innovation + Integration”, including CNT’s Scott Bernstein, go here.
Also check out Scott’s letter to the editor about Chicago’s mass transit being valued as an asset, published in this week’s Crain’s Chicago Business here.
