Illinois – Page 2 – Railfanning.org

CTA’s $3.6 Billion Red Line Extension Project Included in Fiscal 2025 Budget Request

March 19, 2024 Railfanning.org News Wire

Fourteen large transit projects in 11 states could receive nearly $4 billion in federal support for construction as part of President Biden’s fiscal 2025 Budget Request to Congress.

Metra Green Lights Purchase of Battery-Powered Trainsets

March 19, 2024 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Metra Board of Directors approved a contract to buy zero-emission, battery-powered trainsets, making it one of the first in the nation to operate the technology.

FRA Announces $900,000 in New Planning and Development Grants to Support Intercity Passenger Rail Services

March 18, 2024 Railfanning.org News Wire

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently announced that it had awarded $900,000 to three entities through the Interstate Rail Compacts (IRC) Grant Program.

Amtrak Wants Ideas for Chicago Union Station Improvements

January 5, 2024 Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak is reimagining the Concourse at Chicago Union Station and wants ideas from the traveling public, other station users, and area residents. Improvements to the boarding process, modernized amenities and new services are among the changes to be designed.

Chicago to Extend Red Line Railway with $2 Billion in Taxpayer Funds

September 15, 2023 The Center Square

A multi-billion dollar, taxpayer-funded project will extend the Red Line from 95th Street to the Dan Ryan.

FTA Announces More Than $700 Million to Replace Aging Passenger Railcars in Six Systems

May 5, 2023 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the selection of six projects in six states to replace aging passenger railcars.

70 CTA Employees Made More Than $200,000 in 2021

July 20, 2022 The Center Square

A transit employee in Chicago made more than $300,000 in 2021, making him the highest-paid employee for the system.

Federal Funding for Chicago Transit Jumps 5,000% for Operating Expenses

July 7, 2022 The Center Square

The Chicago Transit Authority saw a more than 5,000% increase in federal money for operating funds in 2020, an increase that helped CTA maintain services throughout COVID-19. The bailout by the federal government meant that operating expenses remained flat despite a 60% drop in passenger miles, largely due to the pandemic.

Metra Ridership Remains Below Pre-Pandemic Levels as Expenses Grow

July 7, 2022 The Center Square

Ridership on Metra, the taxpayer-supported commuter train agency that serves Chicago and its suburbs, continued to remain significantly below pre-pandemic levels in 2021 while the agency’s operating expenses continued to grow.

Lawmakers Frustrated Over Blocked Rail Crossings and Late Passenger Trains

June 22, 2022 The Center Square

The head of the Federal Railroad Administration was put on the defensive regarding poor on-time service by Amtrak trains in Illinois that taxpayers subsidize.