Metra

Chicago El

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.

November 19, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Rock Island Line

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.

October 2, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Commuter Rail

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.

September 29, 2019 - the transport politic

Metra Commuter Rail

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.

August 12, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Commuter Rail

Chicago's Metra Will Build a 95th Street Station

Metra’s Electric line is one of the few places where Chicago’s commuter rail owns the tracks. Transit advocates have lobbied for years for the service to be run more like traditional public transit.

August 9, 2019 - Curbed Chicago

Chicago Commuter Rail

Op-Ed: Metra Expansion May Encourage Sprawl

The $45 billion transportation bill approved by the Illinois Legislature ended up including more public transit funding than it originally offered, but a Kendall County Metra project raises questions.

June 20, 2019 - Streetsblog Chicago

Chicago Commuter Rail

New Policy Would Likely Close Commuter Rail Stations on the South Side of Chicago

A new station evaluation policy, expected for adoption by the Metra Board of Directors in May, would make it easier to shut down "underperforming" stations.

April 19, 2019 - Streetsblog Chicago

Snow Removal

Polar Vortex Shuts Down Detroit's Q-Line Streetcar

Other polar vortex-related transit news included fire on the tracks in Chicago.

January 31, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Metra Station

Construction to Begin on Two Metra Stations in Libertyville

Metra is revamping to the downtown train station in the Chicago suburb of Libertyville.

August 9, 2018 - Daily Herald

Metra Commuter Rail

Illinois gets Federal Grant to Reduce Railroad Delays on Chicago's South Side

The Federal government has awarded Illinois $132 million for new infrastructure around 75th street and 71st streets.

June 9, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Commuter Rail

Chicago's Metra Will Try One-Day Pass

Along with a scheme to simplify fares, Metra will roll out a one-day pass and a set of federally mandated safety updates.

May 14, 2018 - The Chicago Tribune

Chicago Commuter Rail

Metra's Hyde Park Plan Leaves Too Many Behind

Chicago's Metra has the resources to create frequent transit for a large swath of the South Side. Instead, their plan supports only the most fortunate along that train line.

July 23, 2017 - South Side Weekly

Chicago Commuter Rail

Metra Proposes Frequency Changes for the South Side of Chicago

Overall, Chicago's regional train service the Metra has been losing ridership, however, Hyde Park neighborhood stations have seen some growth.

May 31, 2017 - DNA Info

Commuter Rail

A Simple Idea to Fix Transit on Chicago's South Side

On Chicago's massive south side, fixing transit means working on more than just CTA trains.

April 29, 2017 - South Side Weekly

Chicago Blue Line

Chicago Moves Forward on O'Hare Express

This month, the city of Chicago will choose a team of engineers to brainstorm an express rail line to O'Hare Airport. The plan has come under criticism for diverting future resources away from transit in low-income areas.

March 10, 2016 - Chi.Streetsblog

Early Reviews Are In: Chicago's New Transit App Makes it Easy to Pay the Fare

The Ventra app hits the streets—or the tracks, perhaps—this week. Steven Vance of Streetsblog Chicago has already tested the new tool.

November 20, 2015 - Chi.Streetsblog

Mobile Phone-Enabled Train Tickets Coming to Chicago's Metra

Mobile phones are doubling for tickets onto airplanes and into concerts all over the world. Why not commuter trains too?

October 19, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Metra Rail Struggles with High Rates of Suicide

Chicago's Metra commuter rail service has a big problem on its hands: Distressed people are resorting to using train tracks to end their lives at a higher rate than in other major cities. Would partnering with a suicide-hotline agency stem the tide?

August 30, 2014 - Governing

Could Chicago Transit Agencies Soon Have to Compete for Funding?

Chicago's Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is considering overhauling how it distributes funds to the area's three transit operators: the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus and rail system, Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban bus system.

August 21, 2013 - Chicago Tribune

Agency Says $500,000 Survey is Worth the Cost

In Chicago, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is willing to spend $500,000 to survey their riders to see how the public feels about the bus and train services.

November 30, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

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100 Most Influential Urbanists

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Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.