An apparent suicide stopped trains Tuesday morning at the Fullerton stop, which serves as a hub for Chicago's North Side transit. Prices for a ride from the area to downtown via Lyft reached triple digits.
The city of Chicago is unhappy with Lyft and Uber who, it feels, took advantage of chaos created by the death of a man at the Fullerton Avenue Train stop. The death, which police believe was suicide, happened around 6:30 am and stopped trains headed downtown from the busy station until 9:30 am.
Kelly Bauer and Tanveer Ali report in DNA Info that Lilia Chacon of Chicago's Business Affairs and Consumer Protection department expressed her disappointment that companies "took advantage" of the situation, "But she said the companies were not necessarily doing anything illegal by raising rates." Bauer and Ali report. A Lyft spokesperson said the event was particularly challenging, because it took place during peak transit hours and was completely unexpected. The results were fares that would normally be $13 costing as much as $110 according to Bauer and Ali.
FULL STORY: City Says Ride-Share Companies 'Took Advantage' Of CTA Meltdown With Hikes
Demolition Starts for CTA's Controversial Flyover Project
The Chicago Transit Authority's Red-Purple Bypass Project will add an additional track to speed up trains passing through the Belmont Station. The project requires the demolition of several neighborhood buildings.
Apartments Zoned Out of Near North Side Chicago Train Stations
Zoning around Chicago's public transit in relatively affluent areas won't allow for density or any kind of housing other than single family homes.
Minnesota Lawmakers Reach Ride Share Compromise
A law awaiting the governor’s signature establishes wage rates for drivers. Ride share companies say if the law passes, they plan to continue service in the state.
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