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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