As transit agencies in Chicago and other metro areas deal with major budget deficits, a recent report evaluates other possible revenue sources to fund public transportation.
"Northeastern Illinois is home to the nation's second largest transit system. Hundreds of thousands of riders use CTA, Pace, and Metra every day, a testament to the value of transit in moving the region's goods, services and people where they need to go.
Northeastern Illinois' transit network directly reduces traffic congestion and air pollution while increasing mobility for those residents that lack transportation choices."
"Unfortunately, the future of public transit is endangered in Northeastern Illinois. Rising transit agency costs for energy, security and employee benefits have grown while funding-from an uneven and outdated apportionment of sales taxes across the six-county region-has not kept pace with needs.
The outdated funding formula has created a transit budget shortfall that grows each year."
"While the consequences of inaction are grave, solutions are within reach. "Finding Solutions to Fund Transit" highlights basic principles for evaluating potential revenue sources and considers several funding options available to state lawmakers to create a sustainable funding system for supporting the growing public transportation needs of Northeastern Illinois."
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie