Transportation

The Chicago region is defined by transit, yet the future of this vital infrastructure hangs in the balance. MPC is actively engaged in developing legislative and policy recommendations for the future of the region's transit system.

In an effort to prepare our region for federal grant opportunities, MPC worked to document the equity and environmental harms that transportation infrastructure has caused. Our report also includes community-generated project ideas to repair those harms.

Mobility is a human right. Regardless of age or ability, access to high-quality accessible transportation is fundamental to exercising that right. MPC worked with policy experts, service providers, advocates, and paratransit users to create a vision for a better system.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) provides rail-like speed and convenience at a fraction of the cost of installing rail. MPC’s report lays the groundwork for a 10-route BRT network that would provide better more equitable transit service for all our residents.

MPC is advocating for policies, funding, and planning that advances development near transit—known as transit-oriented development, or TOD—for people of all incomes, in neighborhoods across the region. 

Whether for work, play, or personal growth, access to opportunity is not equitable. In almost every American city, people of color have less access to jobs, education, recreation and services than white people.

Transit Means Business shows that a well-funded and robust transit system yields many benefits, including jobs, increased worker productivity, a strong and resilient real estate market, and better health outcomes.