Finally! The long overdue transportation reauthorization bill is at last going somewhere. Three years ago, CNT and our national partners, such as Transportation for America, began working with various users and operators of our transportation systems, business leaders, and political leaders to gather information about what worked and what did not work in the last national transportation legislation.
We shared what we learned with Members of Congress, who are responsible for the re-authorization and funding of the federal transportation legislation. The U.S. House of Representatives has released its transportation bill to the public. They listened to some of what we told them, but they failed to address some crucial needs. In particular, it looks like they forgot that this is supposed to be a transportation bill that serves all users of the transportation network—transit riders, cyclists, pedestrians, car sharers—and assures that they get where they are going safely. The bill as drafted fails to do that. Read more »
Today Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presented checks to two local companies that have taken advantage of an incentive program that reduces the cost of public transportation for employees. The Transit Ridership Improvement Program (TRIP) is a short-term incentive program that provides hundreds, even thousands of dollars to companies that provide pre-tax transit benefits to their employees. TRIP is available to all Cook County employers until February 10th.
“Gas prices remain high, and there’s no sign of relief as the year progresses. Public transportation is an affordable and convenient way for people to get where they need to go save money in the process,” said President Toni Preckwinkle. “TRIP makes it even more cost-effective for people to travel by bus or train and we encourage employers and employees to sign up.”
A new incentive will provide $50 in transit credit for people who get the Chicago Card Plus I-GO card before Feb. 29.
Between now and February 29, people who sign up for a joint Chicago Card Plus I-GO card for use on the CTA and in I-GO Car Sharing vehicles will receive $50 in transit credit and a heavily discounted I-GO membership. The Chicago Card Plus I-GO card is the only one of its kind in the nation, allowing a seamless transfer between public transit and a car sharing vehicle.
“If you’ve been thinking about ditching your car and simplifying your life with transit and car sharing, there’s never been a better time to make the leap,” said Kathryn Tholin, director of Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), which is administering the incentive program on behalf of Cook County. “Owning a car is expensive, a hassle, and can have a large carbon footprint. Using integrated transit and car sharing instead of owning a car is good for people’s budgets, stress levels, and the environment.” Read more »
CNT recently contributed to a report by Oberlin College that lays the analytical roadmap for a healthy, efficient, and sustainable energy economy in the city of Oberlin and throughout Northern Ohio.
In support of CNT’s community development partner, the South Suburban Mayors and Manager’s Association (SSMMA), CNT is posting a Request for Proposals (RFP). SSMMA has received a seed capital grant from HUD’s Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant program to establish the Southland Community Development Fund. SSMMA seeks an organization or coalition of organizations that possesses the qualifications and wants to perform the duties detailed in the RFP to become the Fund Manager of this emerging fund.
Download the RFP ›› Download Attachment A: Fundamental Structural Proposals for the Southland Community Development Fund from Chicago Area and Southland Financial Advisors ››
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has approved the installation of an I-GO Car Sharing solar-powered charging station for two electric vehicles at the park and ride lot adjacent to the Brown Line Kimball El station. This is the first solar-powered charging station announced on CTA property.
I-GO recently announced its groundbreaking electric vehicle project that will add 36 all-electric vehicles to its fleet and 18 solar charging stations to provide clean power to its cars. Once completed, I-GO will have the largest electric vehicle fleet in the Midwest, and it will use more solar power to charge electric vehicles than anywhere else in the country.
“CTA has long supported initiatives that reduce emissions and promote sustainability—two main goals of the transit services we offer,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “Car sharing is a great complement to public transit.”Read more »
Gov. Patrick Quinn today announced a major partnership and conservation initiative that will significantly increase natural green space and strengthen the economy in the Lake Calumet area located south of Chicago. The Millennium Reserve is the largest open space project in the country, which will enhance public recreation opportunities in 140,000 acres of land in the Calumet region. Today, Governor Quinn announced the start of the Calumet Core phase of the effort, which involves restoration of 15,000 acres of open space.
“This important project will convert an industrial area into valuable open space that gives area families a place to gather, play and experience the great outdoors,” Gov. Quinn said.Read more »
I-GO, Chicago’s nonprofit car sharing organization, has launched a $2.5 million electric vehicle project that will add 36 all-electric vehicles to its fleet and 18 solar charging stations providing clean power to its cars. Once completed, I-GO will have the largest electric vehicle fleet in the Midwest, and it will use more solar power to charge electric vehicles than anywhere else in the country.
I-GO is today announcing the locations of 11 solar-powered charging stations throughout the Chicago region, including several JEWEL-OSCO stores, the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Village of Oak Park, the City of Evanston, and Uncommon Ground restaurant. The remaining seven locations will be announced soon. The canopies will be installed in early 2012.
CNT President Scott Bernstein has co-authored a “big idea” in the “Big Ideas for Jobs” policy brief released by the Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment, part of the University of California-Berkeley. The brief and more details can be found at www.BigIdeasforJobs.org.
The essay by Bernstein and Center for Wisconsin Strategies Director Joel Rogers argues for finding new ways to invest public and private capital to fund much-needed infrastructure improvements that will create jobs while strengthening communities. The authors cite two case studies as models for public-private investment—the Los Angeles plan to finance and expand its transit service in 10 years over the typical 30 and the Energy Savers program in Chicago that provides a revolving low-interest loan fund for energy efficiency retrofits of multifamily apartment buildings. Read more »
This joint CTA/I-GO smart card is the only one in North America that provides access to public transit and car sharing vehicles.
“I-GO sees itself as a form of public transportation that provides the last mile solution for the CTA.” That’s the good word from reporter John Skelly, Jr., writing about I-GO’s partnership with the CTA for Northwestern University’s Medill Reports.
The article describes the motivating factors behind the 2008 development of the Chicago Card Plus/I-GO Card, a joint smartcard offered by I-GO Car Sharing that lets its members access both I-GO vehicles and CTA trains and buses. There are about 1,800 cards in circulation. The result: cost savings across transportation modes and a progressive re-thinking of how public transit can fit within a mixture of services to better meet the needs of a metropolitan population.
The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is a creative think-and-do tank that combines rigorous research with effective solutions. CNT works across disciplines and issues, including transportation and community development, energy, water, and climate change.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has approved the installation of an I-GO Car Sharing solar-powered charging station for two electric vehicles at the park and ride lot adjacent to the Brown Line Kimball El station. This is the first solar-powered charging station announced on CTA property.
I-GO, Chicago’s nonprofit car sharing organization, has launched a $2.5 million electric vehicle project that will add 36 all-electric vehicles to its fleet and 18 solar charging stations providing clean power to its cars. Once completed, I-GO will have the largest electric vehicle fleet in the Midwest, and it will use more solar power to charge electric vehicles than anywhere else in the country.
