Kyle Whitehead
@ktwhitehead.bsky.social
330 followers 310 following 190 posts
Advocate for public transit and healthy, sustainable + equitable communities. Work in government affairs for Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) in metro Chicago. Village trustee in Brookfield, IL. Passionate about cities, sports, politics, and pizza.
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ktwhitehead.bsky.social
“No other transit system in the U.S. faces a similar requirement—whether in magnitude, or in potential financial impact. The recovery ratio is typically one of several performance measures - not something that can be leveraged to cut funding and harm riders.” www.rtachicago.org/blog/2025/10...
Regional Transportation Authority | Illinois transit farebox recovery ratio requirement is uniquely high and harms riders
Since the release of the Transit is the Answer strategic plan in 2023, RTA has consistently advocated for lasting change to Illinois’ 50% farebox recovery…
www.rtachicago.org
ktwhitehead.bsky.social
“Any effort to strengthen regional authority must pair sustainable funding with reforms that provide the regional agency with more discretionary funding. The regional agency can then use these funds to hold operators accountable and incentivize coordination.” www.rtachicago.org/blog/2025/10...
Regional Transportation Authority | How to achieve greater regional authority in Chicago area transit
A regional agency that is empowered to evaluate service quality throughout the year can use discretionary funding to ensure operating agencies deliver on…
www.rtachicago.org
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
rtachicago.bsky.social
🔔 Wondering why our regional transit fiscal cliff number has changed and where we stand just one week ahead of veto session? 👇 Read our fact sheet for projections on 2026 and 2027 now: www.rtachicago.org/uploads/file...
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
davidzipper.bsky.social
My unpopular urbanist opinion is that big, hyperfast two-wheelers are a menace and should be banned from bike lanes/paths (with enforcement).

These things endanger everyone riding a bike or legal e-bike. Worse, they deter some from even trying.
E-bikes have evolved into e-motorcycles. Law enforcement is lagging behind.
Serious injuries are on the rise in emergency rooms around the country, as electric cycles become bigger and faster. Lawmakers and police departments are scrambling to address the problem.
www.inquirer.com
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
rtachicago.bsky.social
There is often public and media conversation framing Chicagoland’s transit fiscal cliff as a fight between the city and the suburbs. CTA, Metra, and Pace have different needs, but a thriving system requires sustainable funding for all three agencies.
www.rtachicago.org/blog/2025/09...
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
heathercherone.bsky.social
The Trump admin says this project should be paused because the CTA followed *federal rules* requiring them to meet goals to give contracts to qualified Black-, Latino- & female-owned firms

The federal government now say those rules - imposed by the feds - are discriminatory
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
yonahfreemark.com
This situation is patently absurd: US DOT claims that New York City & Chicago's transit projects need to be put on ice because they developed DBE goals *in line* with federal policy.

Now the Trump admin says they don't like the federal policy—and it's New York City & Chicago's fault, apparently.
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
rtachicago.bsky.social
This morning the RTA met with agency leaders at CTA, Metra, and Pace to discuss the approaching fiscal cliff, budget gap numbers for the next few years, and the ongoing need for transit funding and reform. www.rtachicago.org/uploads/file...

Long thread below! 🧵👇
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
thomasbamonte.bsky.social
There is an meeting of the @rtachicago.bsky.social Board's Ad Hoc Committee on Transit Funding tomorrow morning that will delve into the timing and impact of the transit fiscal cliff for the Chicago region. www.rtachicago.org/about-rta/bo...
ktwhitehead.bsky.social
Really excited about the potential to revitalize Ogden Ave in Brookfield by rebuilding the street with a focus on people and productivity - not fast moving cars. Grateful to be working with a board/staff that's embracing a long-term vision for change and progress. www.rblandmark.com/2025/10/01/b...
Brookfield talks ‘next generation’ Ogden Avenue improvements - Riverside-Brookfield Landmark
Brookfield’s village board gave its approval to the current direction of the first phase of its project to improve Ogden Avenue.
www.rblandmark.com
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
lreddenrta.bsky.social
Yesterday's conversation on the looming transit fiscal cliffs facing Philly and Chicago was both timely and insightful. Big thank you to Jody Holton for sharing your expertise, and to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion during the webinar. youtu.be/6-p-BL6GGYo?...
Transportation Tuesday 2025: What’s next for the transit fiscal cliff?
YouTube video by RTA Chicago
youtu.be
ktwhitehead.bsky.social
This is such a good piece on why the politics of transit operating revenue and costs never work out.

"Politicians and voters tend to resist virtually any way of closing the funding gap, whether it be higher fares, higher taxes, or higher tolls or fees for cars." www.planetizen.com/features/136...
The Wave of Transit ‘Fiscal Cliffs,’ Explained
Covid and inflation played a role. But for many agencies, the crisis goes much deeper.
www.planetizen.com
ktwhitehead.bsky.social
"Of course, CTA, Metra + Pace have different needs, but a thriving system requires sustainable funding for all 3 agencies. A sustainably funded + reformed system could better serve riders across modes and city limits. More frequent, reliable service would be a boon for all Chicagoland communities."
ktwhitehead.bsky.social
"With the fiscal cliff approaching, there is often public and media conversation framing the issue as a fight between the city and the suburbs. The reality is the transit system has been chronically underfunded for both the city and the suburbs for decades." www.rtachicago.org/blog/2025/09...
Regional Transportation Authority | Addressing Chicago’s transit fiscal cliff should not be a city vs. suburbs issue
Each service crosses jurisdictions to cover a diverse region where community size, density, and travel demand vary greatly, which has led to different…
www.rtachicago.org
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
aldermanlaspata.bsky.social
Today marks the start of #WeekWithoutDriving and the forecast looks great for walking, biking, & public transit!

WWD is a chance to challenge yourself to cut back on vehicle trips and try other ways of getting around.

Let’s build communities that are inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Week forecast featuring pedestrian signals, bikes, trains, and buses in place of odds of precipitation
ktwhitehead.bsky.social
Agreed, my other nitpick would be many of what we call neighborhood greenways are side streets with paint and signage for bikes, and plenty of cut through car traffic. Traffic diverters are needed to make many of these routes truly low stress all day long.
ktwhitehead.bsky.social
So much progress has been made but still want to see a citywide PBL network and unclear how we get there with aldermanic prerogative
Reposted by Kyle Whitehead
mclean.bsky.social
There have been over 100 miles of bike infrastructure improvements made in the past two and a half years in Chicago

There's still a long way to go (see those huge gaps, hello Aldermanic prerogative!)
A Chicago Department of Transportation map outlines the city with Lake Michigan on the right (east). Thin blue lines mark the existing bikeway network across the grid; thicker red segments highlight projects installed since 2023 (including some still under construction). Red additions appear citywide—dense on the Northwest, West, Near South, and Far South Sides—with several north-south spines and east-west connections. Labeled reference streets around the map include Howard, Devon, Lawrence, Belmont, North, Madison, Cermak, Pershing, Garfield, 71st, and 87th; vertical references include Western, Kedzie, and Pulaski. A legend shows: blue = Bikeways Network; red = Projects Installed Since 2023. A text panel reads: “Over 100 miles of bikeway improvements since 2023—135 miles of projects, some under construction; 82% are low-stress bikeways.” Branding: CDOT logo and “Build Better Together – Mayor Brandon Johnson.” Info link: Chicago.gov/CompleteStreets.