Chicago’s Intercity Bus Hub Is at Risk

Chicago is on the verge of suffering a major blow to its transportation system by becoming one of the world’s largest cities without an intercity bus station. The lease of the city’s Intercity Bus Station on Harrison Street, used by Greyhound, Baron Bus, Trailways, and FlixBus ends in October. Operations may be moved in mid-September to a congested curbside location, resulting in service cuts and significant reductions in the sale of “through tickets” involving transfers in Chicago due to the lack of a waiting facility.

Disadvantaged households and the disabled community would be adversely affected, and much of Chicago’s bus/train synergy would be lost.

Join us to discuss urgent issues surrounding the effort to preserve the station, with perspectives from political leaders and local advocates.

Speakers:

Joe Schwieterman, Ph. D., is the director of the Chaddick Institute at DePaul University. He is also the author of the Intercity Bus E-News, which covers bus travel, and a former member of the High Speed Rail Alliance board.

Micheál Podgers is the Policy Director at Better Streets Chicago, a grassroots organization. He received a masters in urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois Chicago. Better Streets Chicago champions universal mobility by challenging harmful transportation infrastructure and policy.

Gilda Brewton leads Public Affairs for Flix and Greyhound and is Vice President of Greyhound Mexico. Gilda has held various leadership roles within Greyhound during her more than 40 years with the company, most recently serving as Regional Vice President in Brownsville, Texas.

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa has served as a member of the Chicago City Council since 2015, representing Chicago’s 35th Ward. In his time on the City Council, Alderman Rosa has been a leader in building new affordable housing, passing historic legislation to address displacement, COVID community relief initiatives, addressing income inequality, investing in neighborhood schools, and passing police accountability ordinances – ensuring Chicagoans have a say over policing in their neighborhoods.