Chicagoans (yes, that would be residents of Chicago) love public transit. Even non-users support mass transit (maybe because it saves them a ton of time). But candidates running for Mayor of Chicago (election to be on Feb. 22) are hardly mentioning this topic… or transportation, in general, one of the most critical day-to-day issues for most people. Strange, eh?
Apparently, transportation issues aren’t even mentioned on candidate websites and no one has put together a position paper on it.
With the average transit rider in Chicago saving $11,660 a year from using this mode of transport and controversial service cuts and rate hikes of late, it is really a wonder that no one is focusing on this topic.
“Eighty-two percent of likely voters who participated in the poll responded that the availability of good mass transit is an ‘important concern’ that Chicago’s next mayor ‘should address immediately upon taking office,'” Jon Hilkevitch of the Chicago Tribune writes.
Among all likely voters, 65 percent agreed with the following statement: “If a candidate for mayor took a very strong stand — not only to protect bus and rail service in the city — but to start working toward improving it, that would be a very good reason to consider supporting that candidate.”
The pollster surveyed 500 likely Chicago voters during the last week of November and the first week of December. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
So, seriously, if you’re running for Mayor in Chicago, get on the mass transit bandwagon (or subway car).
Related Stories:
1. Atlanta Must Get Moving on Public Transit.. Will It?
2. Save $9,656 a Year, Ride Public Transit
Photo Credit: TheeErin