Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on mass transit: 'Now is the time' | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on mass transit: 'Now is the time' | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com: "“Now is the time for Indianapolis to invest in a first-class transit system,” Ballard said. “I ask our legislators to give us the tools we need to make this investment in our transit system. And to all the residents of Indianapolis, I encourage you to call your state legislators and urge them to pass Indy Connect Now.”"

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Are “public” streets actually public? | the get around blog

Are “public” streets actually public? | the get around blog: "I am struck by the book’s description of popular reaction to the invasion of motor cars on city streets during the early years of motordom. Before the automobile invasion, streets were public space in the true sense of the word, not very different from the way we think of city parks. As the book details, in order for cars to take over the roads, we had to fundamentally alter this view."

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Tenants flee suburban Chicago office parks - In Other News - Crain's Chicago Business

Tenants flee suburban Chicago office parks - In Other News - Crain's Chicago Business: "Suburban landlords have more unwanted office space than any major metro area in the country, concludes New York-based tenant brokerage Studley Inc. Preliminary third-quarter statistics show 24.3 percent of suburban space is available, the highest level of the 12 U.S. suburban markets it tracks. That volume of unwanted space could fill the 110-story Willis Tower 7½ times."

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Everyone will ride for free on Kansas City’s downtown streetcars - KansasCity.com

Everyone will ride for free on Kansas City’s downtown streetcars - KansasCity.com: "Riders on Kansas City’s proposed downtown streetcar circulator should be able to hop on — at no charge — as often as they like once the new transit system starts to roll."

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Let's promote the right to get to work | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com

Let's promote the right to get to work | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com: "We hear from our politicians all the time about creating jobs, yet if these politicians are serious about creating jobs, they also need to make sure people can get to jobs. "

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A/N Blog . Rail Picking Up Steam in the East and Midwest

A/N Blog . Rail Picking Up Steam in the East and Midwest: "According to the New York Times, Amtrak is gaining riders in the northeast corridor thanks in part to arduous airport security procedures and frequent airline delays. Amtrak also beats airline shuttles in on-time arrivals and proximity to major business centers. In Chicago, the Chicago Transit Authority is counting 16 months of ridership increases for both rail and bus lines. The rail system has seen 51 consecutive months of ridership growth, including a 6.2 percent jump over the last six months. Last year the CTA carried 523 million riders. [Photo: Bruce Fingerhood/Flickr]"

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In congestion benefits alone, #publictransit pays for itself - Aaron Renn

Aaron M. Renn is an opinion-leading urban analyst, consultant, speaker, and writer on a mission to help America’s cities thrive and find sustainable success in the 21st century.
The Urbanophile » Blog Archive » The Cost of Congestion, The Value of Transit: " In Chicago, which is gearing up for another round of fare hikes and service cuts, the cost of congestion avoided due to public transit is about the same as the combined operating budget of all regional transit agencies. Chicago transit is effectively self-funded in terms of benefits delivered to motorists alone."

Big Banks Slam the Brakes on Public Transit - Bob Simpson - Open Salon

Big Banks Slam the Brakes on Public Transit - Bob Simpson - Open Salon: "It gets worse. Investigators from several nations including the US Justice Department are looking into charges that banks conspired to manipulate interests rates illegally to extort even more cash from cash-strapped municipalities. Fortune calls it,” The Wall Street scandal no one is talking about”: "

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Big Banks Slam the Brakes on Public Transit - Bob Simpson - Open Salon

Big Banks Slam the Brakes on Public Transit - Bob Simpson - Open Salon: "Dale Burnett stood in the lobby of a Chase bank in downtown Chicago the morning of June 7 and explained why Chase and other big banks need to stop gouging millions from the city’s public transit system. A home care worker who cannot afford a car, Burnett’s job pays her poverty wages and she cannot afford fare increases or service cuts. In contrast, Jamie Dimon, CEO of Chase, has a $23 million compensation package this year. Nationally, 43% of transit riders make under 25,000 annually."

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Chicago Mercantile Exchange Entrance Blocked As Protesters Criticize Huge Tax Break : The Bobbosphere

Chicago Mercantile Exchange Entrance Blocked As Protesters Criticize Huge Tax Break : The Bobbosphere: "After having a Peoples’ Shareholder meeting, the assembled union members and community activists voted to divest CME of their tax break and return that money to the working people. The march was a lively parade of singing, chants and lots of dancing down the LaSalle Street financial district to the music of a very energetic band in clown costumes. When they reached the CME, organizers had hoisted two enormous banners, one in front of the The Merc and the other in front of the Federal Reserve,The message is,”Give back our tax dollars"

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Message to the poor: drive a car or stay home!

Public transit is expensive, but it is a bargain - southbendtribune.com: "Hammond is likely to see its buses stop on June 30 because there is neither the political will nor the political courage in Lake County to keep them running. The Hammond buses are operated by the Regional Bus Authority (RBA) which runs out of money in just a few weeks. Hammond doesn't want to support its own buses. The Lake County Council sees no reason to raise taxes or fees to support public transit."

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APTA: 62M summer vacationers to use transit - News - METRO Magazine

APTA: 62M summer vacationers to use transit - News - METRO Magazine: "While many people flock to beaches and cabins in the woods, 104 million are planning a trip to the city. That is one-third of Americans who will be hitting the streets of a city near you. Of those who plan to visit a city, 57%  or 62 million people nationwide plan to use local public transportation on their vacation this summer, according to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2012 “Travel like a Local” Summer Travel Survey.

The survey, conducted in mid-May, shows that cost and convenience are two strong factors that will motivate city visitors to use public transportation. Among those travelers who will be using public transportation during their city trips, 71% said using public transportation relieves them from the worry of finding parking for their vehicle, while 68% believe that it is less expensive than taxis and rental cars. Sixty-seven percent will use public transportation to save money on parking and 52% responded they can save money on gas for their vehicle."

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Chicago: American people express their objection to the oil wars

https://twitter.com/#!/Ranaah34/status/204352041307480064/photo/1

No Cuts! No Austerity! Tax Wall Street

http://occupywallst.org/article/live-robinhoodtax-march-chicago/

What would happen if public buses were fare-free?

First, more people would ride.

The riders would demand better service. Being more numerous their voices would be heard.

As more buses were added, service would be more frequent.

When service is more frequent, it takes the guesswork out of riding the bus. More people would ride.

Pundits would start writing about all the ways that public transit saves money.

As congestion goes down, messengers and delivery trucks would become more efficient.

Employers would have more employees to choose from as their mobility increases.

The city could cut back on parking costs.

People would have more money to spend in town.

There would be less honking.

The city would be a more attractive place.

Walkability would increase.

People would move to the city.

More people would ride transit.

Carbon emission would go down.

What Will It Take to Make Mass Transit the Norm? | 2nd Green Revolution

What Will It Take to Make Mass Transit the Norm? | 2nd Green Revolution: "Will people start consistently riding mass transit when gas prices stay above $5 per gallon? $10? What about when we are paying the true cost of driving (i.e. emissions, disposal)? What if we had to swipe a credit or debit card every time you drive? How about charging for access to roads, like the congestion charge London has undertaken? Perhaps if mass transit were free; paid for by the aforementioned charges to drivers, more people would be inclined to ride."

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Jason Shelley: Reluctant rider won over by IndyGo | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com

Jason Shelley: Reluctant rider won over by IndyGo | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com: "there are unexpected benefits of taking the bus. For starters, I'm a lot less stressed when I get to the office. Instead of focusing my attention on the road and other drivers, I take in the sights along the route, and I see things I never noticed before. I can chat with other riders, or I can listen to music, scan emails, read the paper or do nothing at all.

National Architecture Week starts today. This year's theme is "Design Connects." How true. Architecture is more than what a building looks like. It's about how neighborhoods are connected to the community, which is why having alternative transportations is so crucial to the quality of life.

So, I challenge you to give public transportation a try.

Put aside what you think you know, and before you make a judgment, climb aboard IndyGo or one of the IndyExpress commuter buses."

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Banksters must be stopped from taking over public #transit

photo credit

Daily Kos: Occupy Transit! Transit Workers & the Occupy Movement Team Up: "”Public transit is a central municipal service, and we don’t put money into a fare box to make some guy rich. I foresee three things happening: loss of control by the city, increased or added fares and diminished service. You might want to add corruption on a scale never seen before. And once it’s done, there’s no going back. Sometimes these deals are for contracts lasting 99 years.”"

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2011 CTA Ridership Highest in 20 Years | NBC Chicago

2011 CTA Ridership Highest in 20 Years | NBC Chicago: "Ridership on the Chicago Transit Authority's trains in 2011 was at its highest level in 20 years, the agency said earlier this month.

In 2011, CTA provided 531,960,253 rides, topping 2010's total of 516,891,783. The 2011 total is the highest number since 1991, when more than 540 million rides were recorded."

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More people using CTA | WBEZ

More people using CTA | WBEZ: "With increased ridership, Claypool expects there will be a more urgent need for infracstructure improvements. Claypool said there are plans in place to improve stations on the Howard branch of the Red Line and a reconstruction of the tracks along the Dan Ryan Branch. The CTA also plans to begin replacing older series buses this year."

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Blagojevich goes to prison for threatening oil profits

Blagojevich to Begin Prison Term for Corruption - NYTimes.com: "Clutching his wife, he launched into a speech he might have used on the campaign trail, reminding the crowd of his efforts to bring health care to all children, extra health examinations for women, free public transportation for the elderly. He said he took responsibility for things he had said —  “political talk” and “horse trades,” as he described them.  Then he said he was hopeful for an appeal."

Oil pipelines unsafe from ..... cars!

(Reuters) — A key segment of Enbridge Inc.'s oil pipeline system in the U.S. Midwest will remain shut down for up to four more days after a deadly vehicle accident in Illinois caused an oil leak and fire, likely squeezing supplies for refiners in the region, the company said on Sunday.

The shutdown of Enbridge's 318,000-barrel-a-day Line 14/64, part of a network that carries oil produced in Canada to Griffith, Indiana, from Superior, Wisconsin, is also expected to pressure already-weak prices for Canadian crude this week as supplies back up in Alberta, market sources and analysts said.


Read more: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120305/NEWS07/120309934/key-part-of-oil-pipeline-system-shut-after-suburban-vehicle-accident#ixzz1oG5d1pvE
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Transit activists propose hike in state gas tax to fund public transit - WGN Radio

Transit activists propose hike in state gas tax to fund public transit - WGN Radio: "“A lot of us who ride transit are really more and more fed up with higher fares and worse service,’’ Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance, said at a news conference held at State and Van Buren streets downtown. “Unfortunately, transit has been derailed by chronic underfunding.’’"

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Study: Only 28 Percent of Neighborhoods Affordable | Transportation Nation

Study: Only 28 Percent of Neighborhoods Affordable | Transportation Nation: "In the typical definition of housing affordability, your rent or mortgage would be a third, or less, of your income. And by that standard, some 76 percent of neighborhoods are affordable. But when you add in transportation costs, the results are jarring: fewer than a third of American neighborhoods — just 28 percent — are affordable."

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Pastor goes on low-car diet for Lent

Simply Pastor Matt: "Last year during Lent, I chose to fast from non-emergency solo driving. I live close to work and a grocery store/pharmacy and it’s sheer sloth that prompts me to drive this ridiculously short distance. I set these ground rules for myself during Lent 2011:"

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Indiana Business wants, needs, public #transit

Indiana Citizens Alliance for Transit « Advocates for comprehensive transit options in communities across Indiana Indiana Citizens Alliance for Transit:

• Our alliance represents a wide spectrum of business and community interests, but we all agree that transit options are vital to the future of our community.

• As business and community leaders, we understand the need to invest tax dollars wisely, and we firmly believe that improving our mass transit infrastructure would be a smart and much needed investment in the prosperity of our community.

• The development of mass transit options in a community positively impacts energy consumption, the environment and public health (through decreased traffic crashes and vehicle pollution as well as increased physical activity).

• Mass transit makes economic sense. It is a wise investment in our community’s prosperity – creating jobs and spurring growth and opportunity.

• Every day, mass transit gives members of our community an affordable, convenient and safe transportation choice.

• Mass transit gives many individuals who would otherwise be unable to travel around our city the access they need to be independent and self-sufficient.

• Mass transit will provide this community with renewed freedom and mobility.

Even Republicans can't take the hypocrisy

Congressmen say mass transit will take hit under GOP bill — Northbrook news, photos and events — TribLocal.com: "Illinois congressmen warned today that a major transportation bill being debated in Washington could cut into long-term funding for transportation projects in the Chicago area, particularly mass transit."

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Looking for a place to live? Better consider public #transit

Sustainable Development Makes Housing Affordable - Environment - GOOD: "Transportation costs don’t only bust the budgets of low-income households. As the price of gas rises, working- and middle-class families can find themselves in what the New America Foundation calls “the energy trap” — stuck with the high costs of car ownership and fuel. It’s a particular problem for families that have moved out to the exurbs in search of more affordable housing without considering how much more they’ll have to pay to reach their jobs or their grocery store.
"

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Worker's Power

The Occupy Chicago Labor Working Group invites you to our first Labor Solidarity Conference, TOMORROW! 


https://www.facebook.com/OccupyChicago

We will let you vote for #transit taxes if you give up unions say Indiana 1%

Transit bill picks up bipartisan support in Indiana House | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com: "One possible hang-up could come from the same issue that has split the legislature this year: unionization. Democrats and union leaders have criticized language in the bill that says workers at a transportation authority could choose not to be part of a union. Language also would let the governing transit authority bypass common-wage hearings, which are seen as protection for workers."

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Anti-#Transit trolls still dominate Congress

Transit benefits will be capped at $125 a month in 2012 - chicagotribune.com: "The amount of income that commuters who use mass transit will be eligible to shelter from taxes to pay their fares drops on Jan. 1 to $125 a month from the current $230 a month, while the tax-free parking benefit for drivers will increase from $230 to $240 a month, officials said Thursday."

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