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.

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

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