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.”

Bring Back the 31st Street Bus!

A mother and child add their support to BA's 31st Street bus photo petition.

Bridgeport Alliance is excited to announce the relaunch of its 31st Street bus campaign!  We’re looking for volunteers who care about public transportation to help us get the service that Bridgeport needs and deserves.

Since 2011, Bridgeport Alliance and its partners have been working together to lobby the Chicago Transport Authority to reinstate the 31st Street bus.  Though it was eliminated in 1997 due to “low ridership,” many people depended on the route for access to school and work, not to mention the many retail stores along the corridor, Mercy Hospital, and the 31st Street beach.  The elderly, who often are not able to walk the extra blocks to the Archer or 35th Street buses, have been hit particularly hard.

BA brought a lot of creativity to the campaign.  We’ve had a Bike/Roll along 31st Street, photo petitions, and direct actions.  We’ve even tracked down U.S. Representative Dan Lipinski at home to bring our needs to his attention (he was gardening).  In 2014, we won a major concession—the 35th Street route was extended to the 31st Street beach.

But that’s not enough!  The extension doesn’t apply in the winter months, only the summertime.  What’s more, it doesn’t serve the schools, hospital, stores, or workplaces on 31st Street.  It’s an issue of South Side justice, according to BA chair Ruby Pinto.  “The people who live here and the businesses that operate here deserve the same kind of service we see on the North Side. . . . I think that future would be a lot brighter with a 31st Street bus."

Please join us in rekindling the fight for this necessary resource!  As Reverend Thomas Gaulke of First Lutheran Church of the Trinity, who helped has helped spearhead the campaign from its beginning, “We need help in active participation and creativity on this relaunch. How can you help?”

Jump in with us!  Bridgeport Alliance meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7pm at First Trinity (643 W. 31st Street), tweet us at BridgeportAlly, or e-mail us at BridgeportAlliance@gmail.com.