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Transit

 

High-Speed Rail Day of Action at Chicago’s Union Station

A new American high-speed rail network will put people to work, clean our air, cut our energy-consumption, facilitate travel and assist in the resurgence of American manufacturing.

That’s the message that Illinois PIRG, the Midwest High Speed Rail Association and several state lawmakers sent to Congress when we hosted a High-Speed Rail Day of Action at Chicago’s Union Station.

We're calling on Senators Durbin and Burris to support a full $4 billion investment in high-speed rail in this year’s federal transportation spending bill, and we could use your help.

Call your US senators today and tell them you support high-speed rail.

Sen. Richard Durbin: (312) 353-4952

Sen. Roland Burris: (312) 886-3506

After you make calls, please fill in the form below so we can track how many calls our members have made.

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Save Chicagoland Transit

Join Illinois PIRG and Transit Riders' Alliance


Transit Riders' Alliance • P.O. Box 805877 • Chicago, IL 60680 • +1 (773) 334-6758

 


Over and over transit riders in Chicago face the threat of ‘doomsday’ service cuts and fare increases.

While a fare increase of as much as 25% was recently averted by a short-term bailout, Chicago Transit Riders still face service cuts – making it even more difficult for people to get to where they need to go. The temporary bailout also means less maintenance to keep the transit system from breaking down.

And the temporary fix does nothing to prevent more doomsday threats in the future.

We can do better. We should be investing in our transit system, not cutting service.

This problem isn’t unique to Chicago. 90 percent of transit systems have had to cut service or raise fares this past year because the way Congress funds transportation is short-sided. Instead of prioritizing the transportation systems we need, we end up with short term bailouts that leave us all facing fare increases and service cuts.   

Illinois PIRG and the Transit Riders Alliance have teamed up to help Save Chicagloand Transit.

Not only do we need politicians here to step up, we need Congress to once and for all shift more money to public transportation so that we can once again have a world class public transportation system that Chicago deserves.

Join our alliance today - send a message to Congress to get it right and fund 21st century transportation. (below)

Petition Text Dear Member of Congress,

I am writing to urge you to prioritize 21st century transportation. I’m tired of transit service getting worse, making it more difficult to get to work and Chicago a less desirable place to live.

For years, Congress has prioritized our transportation dollars roads building more roads we don’t need at the expense of roads and bridges that need repair and public transit that is left to do more with less money.

In fact, our government has spent nine times more on highway projects than on public transportation.

That’s why, in Chicago, transit riders constantly face the threat of doomsday cuts to service and fare increases.

As transit ridership nationwide hits a 52-year high and gas prices remain volatile, the time is right to change the imbalance in our transportation system. It’s time Congress prioritized transportation spending that makes transit better and doesn’t waste it on transportation projects we don’t need.

If you and other members of Congress fail to reform our transportation spending priorities, commuters are going to be paying more and getting less from public transportation in Chicago and across the country.

Underfunded transit systems will make Chicago a less attractive place for businesses to open up shop and more expensive for commuters to get to where they need to go.

For the sake our economy and the future of transit service to the millions who rely on it every day to get to work and school, please prioritize reform of transportation spending. Make sure the next federal transportation spending bill prioritizes public transit and stops wasting transportation dollars on projects we don’t need.


Sincerely,
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Tell Your Representatives to Fund More Public Transportation

You can reach your representatives at 202-224-3121. If you don't know who they are, that's OK. Just tell the operator your zip code, and they will connect you.

Here's a message you can leave for your representative:

“Hello, my name is _________, and I live in _________. I am calling to urge Representative _________ to support the Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act. This bill will move us in the right direction, focus on addressing the big problems with transportation, and provide relief to American families struggling with high gas prices. Thank you."

Then let us know you called by filling out the form below. 

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More and Better Public Transportation!

Congress will soon make far-reaching decisions about our transportation system in the federal transportation bill. Congress should take this opportunity to fund public transportation, not more new, massive highway projects that don’t address our fundamental transportation problems.

Petition Text

Dear Member of Congress:

This year, Congress will renew the six-year transportation bill—a historic juncture and opportunity to create more and better public transportation, which will reduce our dependence on oil, cut global warming pollution and ease traffic congestion.

I encourage you to put our country on a path toward a 21st century transportation system by doubling the portion invested in public transportation in the transportation bill.

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Talk Transportation in Tomorrow's Debate

America’s transportation system is half a century behind -- causing unnecessary pollution, expense, and congestion.

We need our next president to lead an initiative to invest in public transit, high-speed rail, and much needed bridge and infrastructure repair. We need a president with a plan to strengthen our economy, create jobs, reduce our dependence on oil, and make it easier for Americans to find the money to meet their growing transportation needs.

Fill out the fields below to urge John McCain and Barack Obama to discuss their plans to build a 21st Century transportation system in their remarks at the final presidential debate.

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Help put us on the road to our next victory

Modernize our transportation system

Illinois needs more transportation choices.  A million more people will move to our great state in the coming years, while gas prices are predicted to keep rising.

If we don't address our over-dependence on cars and trucks soon, Illinoisans will pay more to get around, experience worsening traffic, and breathe dirtier air.

Congress is considering funding for high-speed rail projects across the country--Illinoisans must speak up and show lawmakers that we want the full $4 billion for high speed rail.

Please sign our petition to Illinois representatives below to modernize the Midwest's transportation system.

Petition Text Dear Member of Congress,

The time is right to connect our cities with high-speed rail. A new, competitive high-speed rail network will create thousands of quality jobs in Illinois and the rest of the Midwest while reducing our oil consumption, traffic congestion and global warming pollution.

President Obama awarded Illinois money to modernize our rail systems, but that's just a start. Now we need a network of fast trains and buses that connects states in the Midwest and cities within Illinois, making it easier to travel throughout the Midwest.

That's why I support a plan in Congress that will allocate $4 billion to high-speed rail projects to build the transportation system Illinois needs and our country deserves.

Sincerely,
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Send a message to IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig

With so much opportunity to invest in improving our transportation future in Illinois, IDOT needs to hear public input about how to modernize our transportation system.

Let your voice be heard!

Please send a quick e-mail to IDOT Secretary Hannig urging him to seek citizen input on high-speed rail.

Petition Text
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Send a message to IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig

With so much opportunity to invest in improving our transportation future in Illinois, IDOT needs to hear public input about how to modernize our transportation system.

Let your voice be heard!

Please send a quick e-mail to IDOT Secretary Hannig urging him to seek citizen input on high-speed rail.

Petition Text
First Name
Last Name
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address

Send a message to IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig

With so much opportunity to invest in improving our transportation future in Illinois, IDOT needs to hear public input about how to modernize our transportation system.

Let your voice be heard!

Please send a quick e-mail to IDOT Secretary Hannig urging him to seek citizen input on high-speed rail.

Petition Text
First Name
Last Name
Address
City
State
Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address

 
Illinois Public Interest Research Group: 407 S. Dearborn Suite 701, Chicago, IL 60605