Existing comment:
Chicago Transit Authority Rapid Rail Transit Car 6719, 1959
By the end of World War II, many of Chicago's privately owned bus, rapid-transit, and streetcar companies were nearly bankrupt. In 1947, the city purchased most of these lines and unified them under the newly created, semipublic Chicago Transit Authority. The CTA had to modernize rolling stock, pay wages, and improve service solely on money raised from fares, even as ridership and receipts fell.
Car 6719 was one of hundreds of transit cars purchased by the CTA in the 1950's to replace obsolete trains. This car carried L and subway passengers for almost 30 years.
What Happened Next: What Happened to Public Transit?
Public transit ridership peaked during World War II and then declined as more Americans took to their cars, and as residential and commercial development moved farther away from existing mass-transit services. Between the late 1950's and the early 1970's, over 170 U.S. transit companies ceased operations.
In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson called for the nation to rebuild mass-transportation systems to renew American cities, and Congress passed legislation to provide some funding for transit. By the 1970's, aid to mass transit was one of the fastest growing federal programs. Support for mass transit was on the rise, even if ridership was not. The civil rights movement had raised awareness of transportation needs of the disadvantaged. Environmental issues gained public prominence, as did the escalating price tag for massive road-building projects and the costs of increased car and truck travel.
But America's cities continued to sprawl, and transit couldn't compete with the convenience of car travel. The Chicago Transit Authority was hard hit by falling ridership and revenue. Some even wondered whether the system would survive. But in the late 1990's, public transportation began a surprising comeback as planners explored smart-growth and transit-oriented development. Will more Americans turn to public transportation as roads become increasingly congested? |