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.
Alex Armlovich and Connor Harris of the Manhattan Institute argue that a proposal to extend the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line on the city’s South Side is not the best option. Instead, proposals to improve service on Metra, the regional commuter rail, would make transit more accessible and cost considerably less.
"[Mayor Lori] Lightfoot still resists Metra’s proposals to run these lines more like the 'L,' with frequent service, low fares and free transfers to CTA service. She is doing her constituents a disservice," say Armlovich and Harris.
The new service could begin immediately, they add, and Cook County and Metra say they will compensate the CTA for lost riders. "This fight is a no-brainer. Cancel the Red Line extension, send the CTA’s planned capital spending to the Cook County pilot with Metra, and start building the future that community leaders have demanded for decades: transit service and fare integration on Metra in Chicago," urge Armlovich and Harris.
FULL STORY: Commentary: The CTA Red Line extension is a mistake — Metra is ready to better serve the South Side
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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