CTA and CDOT unveil first-ever Better Streets for Buses Plan

Credit: Chicago Transit Authority

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) have announced that they have unveiled the Better Streets for Buses Plan (BSB), marking a significant milestone in enhancing the city’s bus services. Crafted in response to the transportation needs of Chicago residents, the plan is part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s broader strategy to improve bus reliability and co-ordinate infrastructure investments in transit.

Mayor Johnson said: “Chicagoans have a right to accessible public transportation, and it is important that we continue to deliver improvements to better connect our communities – creating a better, stronger and safer Chicago.”

The Better Streets for Buses (BSB) Plan identifies 17 key corridors across the city for focused improvements. These enhancements aim to streamline the bus riding experience through measures such as upgraded bus stops, bus priority traffic signals and dedicated bus lanes. With a comprehensive “toolbox” of 19 potential street treatment options, the plan provides a flexible framework for tailored improvements based on the unique needs of each corridor.

CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. said: “Getting to the bus, the wait at the bus stop, and the ride on the bus are all impacted by various aspects of streetscape design and signal systems, and this plan will help us better plan and redesign these elements to meet today’s transit needs and ensure that public transit bus services remain the most equitable, affordable and accessible means of transit in all neighbourhoods throughout the city.”

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The BSB Plan resulted from extensive public engagement, with input received from over 1,300 individuals through various channels such as virtual meetings, emails and comment cards. The public outreach process guided the selection of corridors and prioritised improvements based on factors like equity, ridership and geographic connectivity.

To advance the plan, CTA and CDOT have secured a competitive grant from Cook County’s Invest in Cook programme. This grant will facilitate additional public outreach, concept development and advanced design for at least three identified corridors in the BSB Plan.

The plan aligns with existing initiatives like the Bus Priority Zones (BPZ) programme, focusing on smaller-scale projects to enhance reliability in heavily travelled corridors. Funding for these projects will be sought from various sources, including local, state and federal funds.

Supported by a $300,000 Unified Work Plan grant from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, the Better Streets for Buses Plan signals a commitment to creating a more equitable, reliable and efficient bus riding experience for all Chicagoans.