Fight high gas prices with more public transit investment

As the pressure Chicagoans feel at the pump intensifies, there have been some wellmeaning reactions, from gas giveaways to the roll-back of gas taxes. These short-term fixes are smart politically, but not very effective as public policy. Just giving gas away or rolling back taxes that pay for critical services won’t solve our problems.

Over 25% of Chicago households don’t have a car, and creating a network of options for all Chicagoans to get where they need to go is of the utmost importance. Making public transit more affordable, safe and convenient is the way to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It is also our ticket to cleaner air, reduced congestion and better health: Black children are five times more likely to be admitted into the hospital for asthma.

In 2021, Metra launched a pilot program that increases transit services while lowering costs. Up to now, CTA has refused to participate. There would be real impact if CTA were a full partner, allowing transfers to and from Metra for free or reduced costs and better syncing bus schedules with Metra. This week, I will be joined by a number of my colleagues in filing a resolution in the Illinois House asking CTA to reconsider its involvement in this pilot and bring better services to forgotten corners of the city.

We will also implore CTA to mirror what was recently done by the Chicago-born mayor of Boston: Identify the 10 highest ridership routes during the pandemic, increase the number of buses on them and reduce fares. As ridership grows, we should install pop-up bus priority lanes and signal treatments so Chicagoans who are building back our city can literally get the green light, making bus service even more attractive and welcoming more riders.

If these ridiculous gas prices have taught us anything, it’s that gasoline and car dependency are a problem we must solve or we’ll continue to belt toxic pollutants into our air or spill more heavy metals into Lake Michigan. We took a gigantic step in Springfield last year by passing the nation’s most consequential clean energy legislation. Our city’s future depends on a cleaner, safer, affordable and independent transportation future. Let’s not miss this moment.

State Rep. Kam Buckner, chair, House Legislative Black Caucus.