Transit Future

In response to the urgent transportation crisis facing Northeastern Illinois, The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) has launched the Transit Future campaign to advocate for both reform of the Regional Transportation Authority and for a substantial increase in its funding by the State of Illinois. The campaign is targeted at the members of the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor of Illinois.

Transit Future aims to galvanize organizations and stakeholders that have a vested interest in the future of public transit in Northeastern Illinois, and encourage them to communicate directly with their legislators and the Governor to advocate for transit reform and funding. In the process, we intend to build a coalition that voices the interests of every sector and every part of the region in the rapid growth of transit as an answer to congestion, high transportation costs, and global warming. The ultimate goal of these collective actions will be the reform of transit governance and planning. The resolution of the transit crisis requires changes that can be achieved through grassroots advocacy and citizen mobilization.

  • The RTA must exert financial and planning authority for CTA, Metra, and Pace in order to ensure exemplary service.
  • Transit in Northeastern Illinois requires increased operating and capital funding based on clear performance measures determined through public input and based on quantifiable and qualitative data.

Northeastern Illinois cannot afford to fall behind the rest of the world in building a world-class 21st century transit system.

To learn more about this project, visit the Transit Future website.

This project was funded in part from support from the Alphawood Foundation.

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Publications

A Heavy Load: The Combined Housing and Transportation Burdens of Working Families

This study reveals the combined housing and transportation cost burdens of households, with a focus on working families at the neighborhood level in 28 metropolitan areas.

Creating and Capturing Value in Mass Transit

By CNT. December 12, 2008. (.pdf, 932.9kb)

Build for America: A Five-Point Plan to get our Economy Moving

By T4. October 15, 2008. (.pdf, 3,040.5kb)

Reconnecting Fort Wayne: Transportation Funding

By CNT. May 1, 2008. (.pdf, 530.9kb)

Two Views of Affordability: Minneapolis

By CNT. April 9, 2008. (.pdf, 274.0kb)

Two Views of Affordability: Atlanta

By CNT. April 8, 2008. (.pdf, 277.0kb)

More Transportation & Community Development publications...

News

October 15th, 2008 Coalition Releases Plan for Economic Security through Transportation

In a press conference today in Chicago at Union Station, a coalition of community and business leaders announced the release of the “Build for America: A Five-Point Plan to get our Economy Moving” plan.

October 13th, 2008 I-GO and CTA Partner to Bring Smart Card to Customers

Starting at the end of this year, residents around the Chicago region will have a more convenient way to travel. The “Smart Card” program will feature a joint card that allows access both to I-GO cars and rides on the CTA, enabling a more integrated approach to public transportation.

September 19th, 2008 CNT’s Transportation Leadership Grows

CNT is pleased to announce that María Choca Urban will serve as Director for Transportation and Community Development. María’s career in transportation and community development spans 15 years in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining CNT, she served as the Chicago Transit Authority’s General Manager for Policy and Strategic Solutions where she directed the CTA’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) initiatives including a joint effort with the City of Chicago to undertake several pilot projects and development of the CTA’s first TOD plan for its rail network.


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Transportation and Community Development

Projects

Housing + Transportation

A new and more comprehensive way of thinking about the cost of housing and true affordability by exploring the impact that transportation costs associated with the location of the housing have on a household’s economic bottom line.

Smart Communities

A public planning project to draw community benefits from undervalued transit and freight assets in Cook County suburbs.

Transit Future

CNT has been a major player in the fight for more efficient and affordable mass transit within the Chicago metropolitan area.

Transopoly®

The public involvement tools were developed to help the general public understand the relationship between transportation planning and land use planning.

Margins to Mainstream

A series of webinars and workshops to improve the quality of public involvement during transportation planning.

Tools

Housing + Transportation Affordability Index

Developed by CNT and the Center for Transit Oriented Development (CTOD), this index takes a fresh look at the real cost of housing by factoring in the cost of transportation for various neighborhoods as a percentage of household income.

Smart Communities

Recent studies by CNT have explored ways to promote growth in older communities by expanding existing transportation and working with local and metropolitan groups to encourage business growth and public safety.

Transopoly®

The public involvement tools were developed to help the general public understand the relationship between transportation planning and land use planning.

Promoting Better Mass Transit

CNT has been a major player in the fight for more efficient and affordable mass transit within the Chicago metropolitan area.

CityNews

Community Information Technology and Neighborhood Early Warning System: Housing indicators for Chicago neighborhoods

Civic Footprint℠

CNT developed the Civic Footprint, a website to help Cook County residents find out who represents them so that they can stand up for the issues that impact their lives.

I-GO Car Sharing

I-GO exists to provide economical and environmentally sound transportation choices, aiming to reduce car ownership rates, lower family transportation costs, reduce urban congestion and improve air quality in all neighborhoods.