1. Chicago Transit Authority
Regional South Metro Transportation Summit
June 16, 2007
Matteson, Illinois

2. 1.6 million CTA rides per weekday
CTA Service Area
Illinois
CTA Service Area – City of Chicago and 40 Suburbs
RTA service area has 8 million residents
220 square miles CTA service area has 3.8 million people
RTA Service Area
8 million people
CTA Service Area
3.8 million people
1.6 million CTA rides per weekday

3. CTA Service Standards
CTA’s service planning process is driven by the Service Standards as adopted by the Chicago Transit Board (
These standards describe five key measures that influence fixed-route service design:
geographic coverage,
hours of service,
frequency of service,
passenger flow, and
productivity.
The standards guide the process for public input on proposed service changes. Applying the Service Standards is an ongoing process that allows for continual improvement of the system given available funding resources.
Adopted: 1990
Updated: 2001

4. Sub-Regional Service Planning Studies
West Side (2006)
North Lakeshore (2003)
Far North (2003)
Southwest
Northwest
Far South
South Lakeshore (2003)
Central Area
Services within a defined geographic area are evaluated in a comprehensive manner.
Changes on one route may allow for improvements on adjacent or connecting services, which may then trigger further refinements.
The result of this process is a coordinated, systematic change in bus and rail service resulting in improved service for customers.
In Summer 2003, CTA’s Planning and Development division implemented service changes in the West Rogers Park and North Suburban area. Changes to the South Lakeshore and North Lakeshore were implemented simultaneously in Fall 2003 and carefully monitored over the subsequent year. Customer and community input were used to further enhance service before final adoption of the changes.
The impact of the first three sub-regional studies has been very positive. Annual ridership has increased by 1.2 percent for the North Suburban sub-region, 4.6 percent for the South Lakeshore sub-region, and 5.5 percent for the North Lakeshore sub-region. Travel times have decreased and customer satisfaction has improved. The implementation of additional express routes and reduction of the number of required transfers have been instrumental in achieving this goal.
The success of the first three sub-regional studies provided a solid foundation for implementation of the fourth. The West Side/West Suburban study has continued for the past two-and-a-half years, and implementation was approved at the Chicago Transit Board’s February 2006 meeting. Changes to 14 bus routes and two rail lines were implementation in June 2006.
The West Side/West Suburban enhancements include a faster trip due to express route service, the Pink Line and Forest Park Branch service; reduced forced transfers due to modifications of bus routes; and better connections to CTA, PACE, and Metra service due to extensions and modifications of service. Ridership has increased by 1.5% on an average weekday for the West Side/West Suburban Service Improvements, when comparing August 2005 and 2006 data. In addition, preliminary surveys indicate that over 69% of the customers are either very or somewhat satisfied with service.

5. Sub-Regional Study Process
Collect and analyze data for study
Background Data
Community Workshops
On-board Surveys
Develop draft plan and present to public
Seek Board approval to implement 180 day experiment
Monitor, Evaluate, Modify
Public Hearing
Board approval for adoption

6. New Starts Alternatives Analysis Studies
An Alternatives Analysis (AA) study is the first planning step in the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) process for obtaining “New Starts” grant funding for major transit facility design and construction.
CTA has previously obtained New Starts grant funding to support the Cermak Branch (Pink and Blue Lines) reconstruction and the Brown Line capacity expansion project.
CTA has initiated AA studies for each of the transit system expansion projects that were authorized for federal funding as part of the current federal transportation bill, known as SAFETEA-LU.
With respect to long term rail expansions (rather than shorter-term service improvements), the key is obtaining capital funding. Typically this comes from the Federal Government through the “New Starts” grant program. To qualify for a New Starts grant, you have to follow the federal rules. CTA has done this in the past successfully with a number of projects and is doing it now for all of the projects identified in SAFETEA-LU.

7. Overview of CTA New Starts Projects
Current CTA New Start Project Status
Red Line Extension to 130th
Orange Line Extension to Ford City
Yellow Line Extension to Old Orchard
Circle Line
Brown Line Capacity Expansion
FTA Approval 1999; P.E/E.I.S ;
Final Design ; FFGA 2004; Construction
Pink/Blue Line Cermak Branch Rehabilitation (completed in 2005)
FTA Approval 1999; P.E/E.I.S ; Final Design ; FFGA 2001; Construction
Alternatives Analysis
Study
Preliminary Engineering / Environmental Impact Statement
Final Design
Construction
FTA
Approval
to Enter Final
Design
Select
Locally Preferred
Alternative
to Enter PE
Full Funding
Agreement
Typically a year process
This is the federal process. It’s complex. It takes years. We’ve completed this process for the Cermak Branch Rehab. We’re in construction for the Brown Line Capacity Expansion, and we’re just beginning the process with AA’s for the Red, Orange, Yellow, and Circle projects.

8. Overview of CTA Alternatives Analysis Studies
Consultant contracts have been awarded and Alternatives Analysis studies are currently underway for:
Red Line Extension
Orange Line Extension
Yellow Line Extension
Circle Line
Circle Line
Yellow Line Extension
Orange Line Extension
Red Line Extension
Here are the general locations of the projects undergoing Alternatives Analysis studies at the present time as called for in the 2005 federal SAFETA-LU legislation.

9. The Alternatives Analysis Study Process
Requirement for federal funding for transit expansion (FTA New Starts Grant Program)
Identifies transit opportunities and ensures all practical solutions are considered
Ensures planning is consistent among all New Starts projects throughout the U.S.
Opportunity to provide information and receive public input
Goal is to identify the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)
Read key points from slide

10. The Alternatives Analysis Evaluation Process
Progressively fewer alternatives are studied with additional evaluation criteria until a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) is identified.
Alternatives Analysis Process (approx. 2 years)
Evaluation Criteria
LPA
Screen 1
Public Input
Screen 2
Screen 3
Alternatives Considered
Process involves winnowing down alternatives by increasing the level of evaluation. It’s a three-step process, with public input at each step. Goal is to arrive at LPA.

11. Red Line Extension to 130th Street Overview
Proposed Study Area & Possible Alignment
95th Street (9500S)
Western Ave. (2400W)
2000 E
13800 S
Study area and alignment shown here are for illustrative purposes only. The actual study area and alignment will be determined as a part of the AA process which is getting underway later this year and into next year.
The map shown above is for illustrative purposes only and does not necessarily represent the outcome of the FTA Alternatives Analysis process.

12. Red Line Extension to 130th Street Overview
Extension approximately 6 miles long
Study Area includes Roseland and West Pullman Neighborhoods
Study Area also directly intercepts many bus routes (13 CTA & 6 Pace Routes)
Alternatives Analysis currently underway
Key points as noted.