A 25 percent tariff on steel imports could eventually be passed to transit riders in the form of higher fares.
Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese products are driving up the price of a project to replace about half of the Chicago Transit Authority's rail fleet, reports Mary Wisniewski.
"The transit agency and the manufacturer of the new cars disagree about who will bear the additional costs," according to Wisniewski. "If the CTA has to pay more, riders could eventually end up footing the bill through higher fares."
CRRC Sifang America, a subsidiary of a Chinese rail car company, has a $1.3 billion, 10-year contract "to produce up to 846 rail cars for the CTA at a manufacturing facility in Hegewisch." Though the cars are being assembled in Chicago, "about 15% of the parts, including stainless steel rail car shells, are imported from China and subject to a 25% tariff on imported Chinese goods imposed by the Trump administration."
FULL STORY: Trump’s tariffs could drive up the cost of new 'L' cars the CTA ordered
Chicago Transit Increasing Rail Service to Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Chicago Transit Authority is close to returning both rail and bus service to pre-pandemic schedules, with some adjustments for new travel demand.
Chicago Transit Releases 2024 Budget
The agency projects modest ridership growth while aiming to make long-term investments in bus and rail improvements.
Chicago to Pilot All-Door Bus Boarding
Chicago is late to the game on all-door bus boarding, but that will change this summer.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor
The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.
Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway
Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.
Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access
MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)