A 25 percent tariff on steel imports could eventually be passed to transit riders in the form of higher fares.
Tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese products are driving up the price of a project to replace about half of the Chicago Transit Authority's rail fleet, reports Mary Wisniewski.
"The transit agency and the manufacturer of the new cars disagree about who will bear the additional costs," according to Wisniewski. "If the CTA has to pay more, riders could eventually end up footing the bill through higher fares."
CRRC Sifang America, a subsidiary of a Chinese rail car company, has a $1.3 billion, 10-year contract "to produce up to 846 rail cars for the CTA at a manufacturing facility in Hegewisch." Though the cars are being assembled in Chicago, "about 15% of the parts, including stainless steel rail car shells, are imported from China and subject to a 25% tariff on imported Chinese goods imposed by the Trump administration."
FULL STORY: Trump’s tariffs could drive up the cost of new 'L' cars the CTA ordered
Chicago Transit Increasing Rail Service to Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Chicago Transit Authority is close to returning both rail and bus service to pre-pandemic schedules, with some adjustments for new travel demand.
Chicago Transit Releases 2024 Budget
The agency projects modest ridership growth while aiming to make long-term investments in bus and rail improvements.
Chicago to Pilot All-Door Bus Boarding
Chicago is late to the game on all-door bus boarding, but that will change this summer.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
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The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research