Since Metro launched a new bike-friendly policy in February, the number of bikes on its trains rose by 70 percent.
A new policy that allows bikes on all Chicago-area Metra trains has led to a 70 percent increase in bikes carried on trains, reports AJ LaTrace for Streetsblog Chicago.
Metra trains carried 19,000 bikes in February and 220,000 bikes in March of 2024. According to Metra operations director Aaron Maertins, the agency carried the most bikes in its history in 2023.
“Metra staff also provided updates on new bicycle racks and retrofitted train cars that the agency referred to as the “Bike Car 1.5” — train cars with a bike rack with room for upwards of four bicycles (not to be confused with the so-called ‘Bike Car 1.0’ which were old Pullman cars where the lower level was outfitted with space for up to 16 bicycles).” Metra is currently operating 35 of these cars, with five more in staged in their shop.
The article also provides information on Amtrak’s plans to renovate the concourse at Chicago’s Union Station to increase open space to accommodate more riders and make the area easier to navigate.
Chicago Rail Will Allow Bikes on All Trains
Metra will make its Covid-era bike policy permanent and install bike racks to accommodate more bikes on train cars.
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.
Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis
Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?
In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving
Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.
Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.
Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service