We asked for your dream transit project. Here what you told us.
Dozens of readers shared their dream public transit projects with the Sun-Times
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times file
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We asked readers last week to share dream projects they want the Northern Illinois Transit Agency to prioritize for the CTA, Metra and Pace in next year’s budget.
Many of you asked for a dedicated north-south corridor to connect L lines outside of Downtown. The idea echoes the Circle Line concept, something the CTA proposed in 2002. Gavin Rosenzweig has his own name for it.
“My dream project is the Outer Loop Connect,” Rosenzweig told the Chicago Sun-Times. The plan would connect “via dedicated [bus rapid transit] or subway, all of the CTA and Metra branch stations along Western Avenue. This would allow a much easier transfer between spokes of the rail service lines.”
Here’s some of what dozens of you told us.
New east-west connections
“They need to start considering creating a Light Blue Line, stretching from the Lawrence Red Line stop, over the top of Lawrence Avenue, all the way to the Jefferson Park L stop on the Blue Line.” — Scott Benson
“Extend the Pink Line to Navy Pier. Extend the Brown Line further west to Jefferson Park.” — Mario Lupo
“As a North Side resident, I would like to see a more direct route to O’Hare. The fact I am parallel with the airport, but I need to go all the way downtown via the Red to pick up the Blue (or the proposed express train) is just a nonstarter for early morning flights. Either the Brown Line needs to be extended to connect to the Blue, or [bus rapid transit] on Western connects with the Blue.” — Nick Murphy
Bus improvements
“The No. 74 Fullerton bus should be extended east to Cannon Drive.” — Daniel Joseph, Evanston
“I would like NITA to expand seating options at bus stops and train stations and improve the design of existing bus shelters.” — PC Smith
Metra
“I would like to see more frequent Metra trains, especially on the weekends. The two-hour lead times are brutal.” — Kari Winge
“Electrification of Metra rail, modernization of stations, cleanliness and actual security and fare enforcement.” — Dominik Wojtysiak
“Connect Red Line Extension directly to the Metra Electric Line. There must be a direct same-station transfer here.” — Roger Deschner
Safety and accessibility
“Spend the money on making all stations ADA accessible. This is a no-brainer. Especially the Blue Line.” — Peggy Skorich
“Improve Pace paratransit reliability and service [with] flexible scheduling.” — Jasmine O.
“Put more Cook County Sheriffs on the buses and L train turnstiles to make sure people pay a full fare. Especially on the routes that run 24/7. (Especially at night).” — Michael Sessions
“I want them to remove the police from buses in Black and Brown communities. It does not make us safer. It just makes riding public transit uncomfortable. And make transit free for riders who pay too much for buses and train fares.” — Charity Parker
“Major cities all over the world have one car per train reserved for women and children so riders don’t experience sexual harassment (Mexico City, Tokyo, etc.). This would cost nothing. In fact, it would make money by increasing ridership significantly.” — Noel Stringham
And one very creative suggestion
“Gondolas [like an enclosed ski lift] are edging into the realm of public transport. So how about running a gondola line between O’Hare and Union Station?” — Scott Summers
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Chicago Sun-Times Reporter/assistant news editor