Metra
Chicago Transit Faces Severe Service Cuts
Metra officials warn the agency could cut service by as much as 40 percent to make up for a massive budget shortfall.
Chicago Commute Times Could Double Without New Transit Funding
A dire warning from regional transit leaders paints a bleak scenario for traffic if agencies are forced to cut service.
Chicago Transit Leaders Oppose Merger Legislation, Pleading for More Funding
Ahead of a multi-million dollar fiscal cliff in 2026, CTA, Metra, and Pace pushed back on a potential merger at the first of several hearings to determine their futures in the wake of decreased ridership.
Chicago Transit Ridership Continues to Grow
The city’s three regional agencies are seeing ridership reaching 64 percent of 2019 levels.
Study: Loss of Public Transit in Chicago Would Have ‘Severe’ Mobility, Economic Consequences
The first-of-it’s kind study found that without public transit, Chicago would lose an estimated $35 billion in economic activity annually and the quality of life of residents, particularly women and low-income groups, would take a major hit.
Proposed Legislation Would Consolidate Chicago Transit Agencies
State lawmakers say the move could cut down on competition and make regional transit more efficient for riders.
Chicago Trains Make More Room for Bikes
Since Metro launched a new bike-friendly policy in February, the number of bikes on its trains rose by 70 percent.
Chicago Train Track Heaters Put on Fiery Show
Metra workers are lighting up heaters designed to prevent train equipment from malfunctioning, making the tracks look ablaze with fire.
Rail Electrification: Caltrain adds BEMUs to its EMU Order
Caltrain, the San Francisco-to-San Jose commuter railroad, plans to begin electrified operation next year on its 49-mile mainline. A 28-mile extension south to Gilroy would continue to be served by diesel trains, with one train powered by battery.
Chicago Transit Could See Consolidated Agencies, Fare Systems
A report makes recommendations for closing the region’s transit funding gap and improving service frequency and reliability.
Chicago Awarded Federal Funding for Accessible Train Stations
The city received a federal grant geared toward improving accessibility at CTA and Metra stations, close to a third of which lack ADA compliance.
Alternative Railroad Electrification
Rather than building costly overhead electrification infrastructure to convert a Chicago-area commuter rail line from polluting diesel power to emission-free electricity, the Metra Board of Directors chose a far less expensive and quicker route.
Advocates Urge Mayor Lightfoot to Keep Transit Running in the Event of Post-Election Unrest
Nine organizations signed a petition to prioritize access to transit during potential post-election protests.
Moving Forward with Metra's Equity-Guided Transit System Plans
Metra's significant drop in ridership has forced the agency to adapt to a new transit landscape and plan for equitable fare offerings and service changes.
Metra North Central Service Line Riders Push for More Service
A new report imagines more robust service on one of Metra's regional commuter lines in Chicago.
Opinion: Improved Commuter Rail Services Would Better Serve Chicago’s South Side Residents
The city’s South Side residents need more transit options, but an extension of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line would be a costly and less effective alternative.
Advocating for Reduced Transit Fairs for Low-Income Riders in Chicago
A new report by the Active Transportation Alliance builds the case for reduced transit fares on all three transit systems in the Chicago region.
Another New Commuter Rail Station for Chicago's South Side Transit Deserts
A South Side Chicago neighborhood with a history of neglect and disinvestment will soon be adding a new train station on the regional commuter system.
What's Hindering Regional Transportation in the U.S.?
Public transportation that serves regional areas makes sense, but the United States has been slow to pursue strategies and policies that foster these types of systems.
Editorial: Cheaper Metra on the South Side Would Ease Chicago's Transit Inequities
The Red Line extension to 130th is still unfunded and a universal Chicago fare card hasn’t materialized, but in the immediate term, the Metra can run more trains and charge lower fares to help get the South Side moving.
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.
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)
Ada County Highway District
Charles County Government
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland
