Improving Regional Transit Opportunities
Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a high-quality, high-capacity bus service that travels on exclusive lanes along designated routes. With pay-before-you-board stations, a boarding platform at the same level as the sidewalk, and the ability for the BRT bus to signal a green light at upcoming intersections, passengers would benefit from an enhanced transit service that complements the existing system. As part of our work to reduce traffic congestion and improve transportation options, MPC is helping to accelerate implementation of BRT proposals in both the suburbs and city, encouraging connections between BRT, job centers, and other destinations, and exploring financing options to cover the maintenance, operations and expansion of a regional BRT network.
Articles
Recent federal announcements may bode well for the region-
- “We don’t have enough direct bus transportation. Everything feels just a little bit out of the way,” complained a resident of Chicago’s Near West community. These sentiments were echoed by many others living in Chicago’s Near West, Near North, and Mid-South communities…
- Statement on T4
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- Every six years or so, the U.S. Congress enacts legislation that allocates funds and sets the direction of America’s surface transportation systems. Beginning with the very first Federal-Aid Road Act of 1916, transportation bills have continued to shape our nation’s highway system, road…
Transit Innovation: Traffic Decongestant-
- Every two weeks, MPC uncovers best practices from around the world and delivers them right to your inbox in Talking Transit. This week, MPC analyzed the impacts of a newly installed bus rapid transit service to help Mexico City combat congestion.
Bus Rapid Transit in Chicago-
- Last week, the CTA held a series of public open houses to present the city’s proposal of a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network in Chicago.
Frequently asked questions about Moving at the Speed of Congestion-
- MPC's 2008 report quantifies the cost of congestion to metropolitan Chicago.
Multimedia
Dispatches from Berlin: What American Cities Can Learn from Berlin-
- Listen to this recording of MPC's Nov. 3, 2009, roundtable, which featured a panel discussion with three of the 10 transportation and regional planning professionals from New York, Chicago and San Francisco who attended a Peer Exchange in Berlin, Germany. The panelists discussed highlights from…
- Bus Rapid Transit in Curitiba, Brazil
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- Curitiba's Bus Rapid Transit system is the source of inspiration for many other cities. This video from Streetfilms illustrates how Curitiba's public transportation system operates and the urban planning and land use principles on which it is based.
Bus Rapid Transit in Bogota, Columbia-
- Watch this Streetsblog video to learn about Bogotá, Colombia's bus rapid transit system, TransMilenio, which travels almost three times the speed of the typical New York City bus.
Traffic Costs Chicago Area $7.3 Billion a Year-
- Video
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- September 4, 2009
- Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) Vice President of External Relations Peter Skosey discusses discusses mpc's recent report, "Moving at the Speed of Congestion," which quantifies the true cost of traffic to metropolitan Chicago. This video was recorded in August 2008, in conjunction with the…
- Around the World in 90 Minutes: Infrastructure Best Practices Across the Globe
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- Hear about global planning and development trends from knowledgeable, well-traveled pros, in this 90-minute “whirlwind tour." Panelists at this MPC roundtable luncheon discussed real estate, transportation, and other infrastructure best practices.
