Ald. Pawar: End Of Lincoln Avenue Bus Route 'Flies In The Face' Of Expanding Public Transit Options

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 29, 2012 11:15PM

Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th) spoke with Center Square Journal about the pending end to the #11 Lincoln Avenue bus—part of CTA’s “de-crowding plan”—and didn’t mince words as to where he stood on the subject.

Pawar said ending the route “flies in the face” of statements by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA President Forrest Claypool regarding expanding public transit options, and that CTA barely reached out to people who rely on the route before passing the plan.

“This idea that there was public input and public participation is, frankly, bulls-t,” Pawar said. “Even after hearing from a few [area residents and businesses] to still arrive at the decision that they did, to me, seems like this was a done deal from the beginning and it’s just a terrible decision. It shows that, at least in this instance, that the CTA and the Mayor’s Office is out of touch.”

Pawar acknowledged the city’s bike sharing program, set to launch next year, could help some people navigate the portion of Lincoln Avenue that won’t be supported by the bus route. Another project from Lakeview Chamber of Commerce executive director Heather Way sees the opportunity to transform Lincoln Avenue from a scary ride for bicyclists into a model for public commuting.

Way told Lakeview Patch the Lakeview Chamber is considering a two-year project to “make Lincoln Avenue the most walkable, bikeable commercial corridor that it can possibly be” and has met with an urban planner about possible bike corridors and maybe even protected bike lanes (!!) along Lincoln.

The Lincoln Avenue bus will end Dec. 16.