31st Street Bus Scrapbook

Bridgeport Alliance made the news last week when we turned out at a Chicago Transit Authority meeting to demand better bus coverage.  Curious?  You've come to the right blog.  We got coverage in a number of important news outlets.  Check out CBS Chicago here, the Chicago Tribune here, and the Chicago Sun-Times here.

CTA: Will you help Bridgeport?

Diana.

 The folks at First Lutheran Church of the Trinity in Bridgeport think the 31^st St. Bus is a great idea.  In fact, they want more of it.  More hours, a longer route, and especially access to the beach. 

Folks remember this bus from way back.  Diana, in fact, used to take it when she was a lifeguard at the 31^st St. Beach.  Now, she says, “I wish it came on the weekends.  I wish it ran for the summer months, for the kids.”  The proposed route provides only weekday service and will likely run from September to February. 

Eva, who was visiting the weekly clothing and food pantry at the church, thinks the bus would be great for the economy of Bridgeport—and beyond. ““I’m lucky, I live on 35^th . . . , but sometimes I happen to be over here [because of] the park or the store. . . . The college kids would probably need it to go from the college to the store. Or to go to Midway [via the Orange Line].”

Eva and daughter Anjeli.

The bus might be more help to the community without its current proposed hours, however, which stretch from 10am to 7pm.  Linda, another Bridgeporter who remembers the old route, says, “I remember, a long time ago, they used to have it.  I used to catch it all the time. . . . When I was, like, 16, 17 years old.  I used to work for the Jewel on the corner here [of Halsted and 31^st].”  But could today’s teenager working at Cermak produce or Walgreen’s fit a busy work/school schedule into these nine awkwardly timed hours of bus service?

But the really resounding desire, on this sticky day in July, is for an extended route that goes all the way to the 31^st St. Beach.  All three women agree on the biggest failure of the route. Says Linda, “Summer, winter, sometimes people just want to go to the lake.  Instead of walking. . . . Some elderly people can’t drive, you know? . . . It’s hard for the elderly people.  It’s hard for them.  It would be nice for them to have a bus to ride.” 

Linda.

But perhaps Linda sums it up best: “They should start thinking more within the community, what the people really need.”

Chicago Transit Authority, will you help Bridgeport get what it needs?

Want to get involved in the campaign for better public transportation in Bridgeport?  Here's what you can do:

• Attend a Bridgeport Alliance general meeting on last Thursdays at 7pm at First Trinity's Community Hall.
• Call 11th Ward Patrick Daley Thompson at (773) 254-667.
• Or just e-mail Bridgeport Alliance at BridgeportAlliance@gmail.com!
  
  Article by Theresa Rothschadl, photographs by Brendan Brown. 

Bridgeport Alliance in the News

Check out the latest coverage of the 31st St. bus campaign here!

Here Comes the Bus!

Bridgeport Alliance is proud to announce that its efforts have been met with partial success!  As announced by Alderman Patrick Thompson earlier today, the Chicago Transit Authority has agreed to reinstate the 31 bus line on an experimental basis.  

This victory comes after three years of work by Bridgeport Alliance, which has organized many meetings and events to both raise awareness and push decision makers to reinstate the 31st Street route.  Our 2014 lobbying trip to Congressman Dan Lipinki’s front door—we found him gardening—was particularly spirited.  See our photo petition here and our Bike and Rolls along the route here.  

Recently, building an alliance with North Side activists by forming the CTA31/CTA11 Crosstown Bus Coalition was particularly powerful.  The support of Aldermen Patrick Thompson (11th Ward), Ameya Pawar (47th Ward), and Michele Smith (43rd Ward) has also been pivotal.  

Stay tuned for more information about a celebratory party!

We would like to thank the Crosstown Coalition, the aldermen, and the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community for being our staunch allies.  Especially, thank you, people of Bridgeport and Chinatown, for your fighting spirit.

Information on the specifics of the pilot route is incomplete, so let’s keep up the activism!  Please check back to our blog for more on this exciting development in the coming days. 

PLEASE RIDE THE 31ST STREET BUS!

For a DNAinfo article, click here.

North and South Sides unite for better busing!

The CTA31/CTA11 Crosstown Bus Coalition has made waves!  Riding a rising tide of support, the group—made up of allied activists from the 11th and 47th Wards—packed the house at the Chicago Transit Authority’s October 14th board meeting.  The diverse crowd ranged from Chinatown senior citizens to Aldermen Patrick Thompson and Ameya Pawar. Most were clad in distinctive yellow t-shirts declaring their passion for reclaiming public transportation in Chicago (see picture).

Mr. Deng, leader of the Pine Tree Senior Council, said, “I am so proud to represent the Chinese community to express our need of the #31 bus. I will continue to fight until they give us a satisfied response.”

Alderman Thompson of the 11th Ward spoke about how extensively the 31st Street corridor has change since the 1990s, when the route was cut.  The thriving business district at 31st and Morgan, plus the construction of beautiful new harbor and park facilities at the 31st Street Beach, mean that restoring the route makes good sense. He requested a feasibility study or test route extending from Ashland Avenue to the Museum Campus.

Of course, our political and crosstown allies have only made Bridgeport Alliance’s position stronger.  As Ruby Pinto, president of Bridgeport Alliance, said, “In both the 11th and 47th wards, we deserve better. It's a joy to unite with our friends to the north in such an important effort.”

Take the 35th Street bus to the 31st Street Beach!

Service to 31st Street Beach

How does this affect my trip?
Bus service will be extended to 31st Street Beach weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Buses in both directions will operate east of 35th/Rhodes, and begin/end at 31st Street Beach. Buses will run nonstop between Rhodes/33rd Pl and the beach. Buses will serve the beach from 9:10am until 9:40pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Buses will continue to begin/end at 35th/Cottage Grove early morning and late evenings on weekends, and at all times on weekdays.

Why is service being changed?
Service is being extended for the convenience
of customers traveling to/from 31st Street beach.

Press from 31st Street Bus Decision

DNA Info - CTA Approves Permanent Extension of 35th Street Bus Route

CBS - CTA Extending 31st Street Bus West To Cicero

Chicago Tribune -  31st Street bus extended to Cicero - Protesters had sought service east of Archer Avenue

Progress Illinois - CTA Study Reveals Ridership Does Not Justify Implementing A Full 31st Street Bus Route

Fight for the 31st STREET BUS + CTA Board Meeting

It's been a year since we won a feasibility study - the first step toward getting a bus to connect our communities, and give us access to food, hospitals, beaches, family, and so on. The recommendations to the CTA board as a result of the study are due at the OCTOBER 9th board meeting. This is big! People are important! Show the CTA we care and we mean it and we won't stop the fight!

 How you can help: 

Get on the bus - We will be gathering at Benton House (3052 S Gratten Ave) at 8:45 AM on the morning of the October 9th to take a bus to the CTA Headquarters. The bus leaves at 9:00. We will pack the CTA board room, and hold a press conference after the meeting. Then the bus will return to Benton House. Facebook Event Page Here 

Come to the meeting - If you don't want to join us on the bus you can still attend the meeting. Arrive at CTA Headquarters, 567 W. Lake Street, by 10 AM on the morning of October 9. Facebook Event Page Here 

Write a letter - Please see our blog post below for a sample to send to friends, family, elected officials and any other contacts you can think of!

Make signs - we will be gathering at First Trinity (31st and Lowe) on Tuesday, October 8, 6:30 - 8:00 ish to make signs and do something cool with the photo petitions. BYOS (Bring Your Own Scissors!)

Distribute Fliers - Fliers are attached. Please, print, post, share!  Contact info@bridgeportalliance.org for a pdf copy.

Social Media - Share the Facebook Event Page, use the Twitter Handle @31stStreetBus and @BridgeportAlly and Hashtag #31stStreetBus. Tell your friends!!!

 Questions? info@bridgeportalliance.org

Sample letter to ask for CTA Support

Send it to everyone that you know!

Dear (Friend),

At our last conversation with CTA staff, they said that the results of the study for the full 31st Street bus route would be presented to CTA Board members at the October 9 meeting. We were told that the results were not tabulated as yet and could be not released until that meeting.

On behalf of the residents along 31st Street, from Little Village to Bronzeville, I am asking you to write or email a letter to the CTA Board to tell of your support for reinstating this bus. Address and meeting information is listed at the end of this email.

Please pass along this request to other residents who would need a convenient east west route across the City.

I understand that you have other obligations but if you could attend the meeting, your presence would add weight to this initiative.

To update you, the trial part of the route is doing fine. Local residents however, also need to get to Mercy Hospital, the lake front, IIT and other destinations along 31st Street. When St. Anthony's opens in 2015, this transit need will only increase.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions and if you can attend the October 9 meeting.

Thank you.
(your name goes here!)

CTA Board Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 9, 2013, 567 W. Lake Street, Boardroom

Letters may be sent to: Gregory Longhini CTA, Office of the Secretary 567 W. Lake Street Chicago, Illinois 60661-1498 Phone: 312-681-5022 Email: glonghini1@transitchicago.com

Join the Fight for the 31st Street Bus

Bike and Roll the 31st Street Bus

Click here to see more photos!

 

31st Street Bus Update for August 2013

Hello friends!

As you may know, Bridgeport Alliance, has had significant movement with the 31st Street Bus Campaign. For over a year, Congressman Lipinski refused to meet with us directly on the 31st Street Bus Campaign and the Robin Hood Tax. 

This past Thursday, we brought 100 people to visit Congressman Dan Lipinski's home to demand a meeting (after a year of dodging us) and we found him gardening!

 After talking to his constituents, he agreed to set a meeting with leaders by this Friday. On very short notice, Congressman Lipinski insisted in meeting as soon at 9:30am Monday morning. Leaders met with him early Monday morning and received commitments from him to schedule a meeting with Forrest Claypool, Alderman Balcer, and Bridgeport Alliance to take actions to make the bus happen. He also committed to call Mayor Rahm Emmanuel to support the bus. Lastly, he committed to look into and make a decision as to whether he wants to publicly support the Robin Hood Tax. He committed to follow up on these items by next Tuesday!

In the meantime, Bridgeport Alliance is scheduling our monthly planning meeting with the CTA in August and September.

In addition, we are making plans to attend CTA Board meetings and join in the Bike/Roll 31st Street Bus Route event on Saturday, August 24th at 10am - 1pm! 
Will you join us? RSVP by e-mail to let me know if you want to join.  Event T-Shirts are available ($10) so be sure to say if you want one.  Please let me know by 8/16 Friday morning!

Bike/Roll the 31st Street Bus Route

Bike/Roll the 31st Street Bus Route Join the 31st Street Bus Cross-Town Coalition 

Sat Aug 24th 

Bike/Skate Ride 

down the 31st Street Proposed Bus Route 

and help our Communities fight for 

"Our Right to Our Route" for this needed bus route. 

We will be riding from Little Village through McKinley Park, Bridgeport, and Bronzeville to the 31st Street Beach.
Ride begins at 10am in Little Village. Hop on the "Bus" in your neighborhood!

•  Bus Stop #1: Location TBA (Little Village) 
• Bus Stop #2: The Video Strip (3307 S Archer Ave, McKinley Park) 
• Bus Stop#3: Jackalope Coffee & Tea House (755 W 32nd Street, Bridgeport) There will be a 15% off for being a part of the ride. 
• Bus Stop#4: TBA (Bronzeville) 
• Final Stop and Press Conference: 31st Street Beach! 
• 12:30PM - PRESS CONFERENCE and PACE CARS ARRIVE AT THE BEACH. 

After the ride we'll party and swim at the beach.
More info to come! Please share this event on facebook and twitter. #31stStreetBus

31st Street Bus Photo Petitions

Tell us where the 31st Street Bus can take you

And collect one of these sweet pins!

Stop by 31st and Lowe

Tuesday, July 16 - 5:00 - 7:00 

Friday, July 19 - 10:00 - Noon

Saturday, July 20 - 9:00 - 2:00

Check Out The Photos Here!

Updates from the May Meeting

The BA is continuing to work with local schools by recruiting volunteers to help with reading, tutoring and office work. Teachers, principals, parents and school members met on June 6 to list their most pressing concerns. Future meetings are planned.

BA member supported Communities Organized for Democratic Education (CODE) which is working to pass a corporate tax accountability bill in the Illinois General Assembly. Closing corporate loopholes would add approximately $440 million to the state budget. Allowing the State Treasurer to post corporate taxes would allow Illinois citizens to see how corporations doing business in Illinois contribute to our economy. BA members hopped a bus to Springfield to lobby our local senators and representatives to support these bills.

The 31st Street bus effort is still going strong. State Representative Esther Golar introduced a Resolution in the House in support of the bus. The BA will be meeting next month with the CTA to learn more about the planned study of the eastern portion of the route.

The Active Transport Alliance (ATA) requested that we consider becmoing the host organization for Bridgeport. A special meeting was held and members agreed. The ATA works closely with the CTA and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to improve public transportation, biking and pedestrian safety.

The TIF meeting on June 5, in cooperation with the McKinley Park Neighbors Association, was well attended. Members that went to the session plan to meet again.

Check out the BA display at VersionFest 13. This year's theme is “the human operating system” and what could be more human than what neighbors are doing at BA meetings.

We helped close down the coal fired power plant that was harming our children and seniors. We started meetings with the CTA to bring back our bus on31st Street. We helped parents and school members keep our local schools off the CPS closing list. We helped get a new playground for McGuane Park. And BA members are continuing to help where we can.

David Hatch presented a great deal of information at the May meeting. For those who missed this, please see his website

It is time to elect new leaders for the B A. Elections will be held on June 27 at general meeting

CTA Board Meeting

Back in August Tom Gaulke (BA Chair) declared on this very blog, "in case you haven't heard, we're winning."  At that time it sincerely felt like we were winning.  The CTA board had extended the 35th street bus to include the west end of 31st and promised a study of the east end of 31st.  Members of BA met with CTA board president Forrest Claypool with Alderman Balcer.  They also met monthly with the folks who do the planning and studies on bus routes.  So far... nothing has happened.

We need to make sure that the CTA board knows that we are still here and we still want this bus.  Will you come with us on March 13 to remind them?

At the next board meeting of the Chicago Transit Authority, the board will be discussing the future of bus transit along 31st St.

We need to show up in numbers so that they know that our communities need a 31st St. Bus!

We'll meet at the corner of Halsted and 31st St. at 9:00am and take the Halsted Bus to the CTA Headquarters.  Or, if you are downtown, just meet us there.  If you can't make it, but know others who want the bus, share this information with them, please. 

You can RSVP on facebook here or email info@bridgeportalliance.org. 

February Newsletter

Hello Friends,

I know that there have been more emails than usual coming from Bridgeport Alliance.  There has just been so much going on that we want to share with you! 

Website - If you have not seen it yet, check out our new website at bridgeportalliance.org.  We are currently accepting blog posts, so if you would like to share your experiences with any of the issues that Bridgeport Alliance or our affiliated organizations (SOUL and IIRON) are working on, please send them to info@bridgeportalliance.org.

Save Our Schools - Thanks to all who have come to meetings, and helped to make our voices heard.  If you have not yet, please sign this petition asking that McClellen be removed from the school closure list. 

31st Street Bus - Members of BA met with the CTA on 2/18.  They will have information to share at the next general meeting.

NextDoor - Many of us met through Everyblock, and by now you likely know that it is gone.  BA has a group on NextDoor if you are interested in joining. 


General Meeting - Tomorrow, Thursday, February 28, 7:00 at First Trinity (Community Center Kitchen).  31st and Lowe.  We hope to see you there!

General Meeting Annoucement

Our Next General Meeting will be held:

Thursday, February 28th

7:00 pm

At First Lutheran Church of the Trinity

(31st and Lowe)



SPECIAL MEETING RE: SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Tuesday, February 19
7:00
Benton House
(31st and Gratten)

Reminder - to join our email list, please write to bridgeportalliance@gmail.com

Join us on Facebook

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BA in the News

Articles on the SOUL King Day Event!

DNA Info -Activists Plan ‘King Day’ Rally

Progress Illinois - Community Group Brings Together Politicians, Religious and Community Leaders In A Call For Social Justice

SOUL - Martin Luther King Day 2013

Sunday, January 13, 2013
2:30pm - 4:30pm
 3566 S. Cottage Grove.
West Point Missionary Baptist Church

This is the time each year when we celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and continue his work through community organizing. Some of the issues we will address include funding for an arts & recreation center in Bronzeville, restoring bus service on 31st Street, closing state corporate tax loopholes so we can avoid massive budget cuts to Medicaid and education, and addressing the vacant property epidemic through a land bank that will create both affordable housing and jobs.

We will be asking elected officials to make commitments on issues affecting our communities. We need to show our elected officials that their constituents are watching and that people care about these issues.

Please come out and bring your friends, neighbors, and fellow congregants!

Musical celebration and sign-in will take place from 2:30 - 3:00, with the public meeting starting promptly at 3:00.

Bridgeport Alliance will have two buses leaving Benton House. Boarding at 2PM. Refreshments will be served starting at 1PM. Rides will be given to Benton House from First Trinity Lutheran after 10:30AM worship. We will have 100 folks from Bridgeport, so get there early if you don't want just scraps.