Yonah Freemark reports on Chicago's commitment of $7.3 million, supplementing $24.6 million in federal funds already in place, to improve bus service between Union Station and Navy Pier.
While Freemark's description of the enhancements envisioned under the plan seem to fall short of a full bus rapid transit system, they will serve to speed movement for thousands of passengers each day.
Funded by tax increment financing (on the city's end), Freemark reports that the project will consist of, "painting dedicated bus lanes on the Madison/Washington and Clinton/Canal Street pairs for a total of two miles, offer signal priority, improve bus shelters, and add bike lanes. New buses and a small bus transit center at Union Station are also part of the plan.
According to Freemark, "Under Mayor Rahm Emanuel's leadership, Chicago is taking an incremental approach to the improvement of public transportation in the city, steering away from the mega-fantasies of the Daley era."
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