rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/save-chicago-greyhound-terminal?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-save-chicago-greyhound-terminal' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Better Streets Chicago https://actionnetwork.org/groups/better-streets-chicago https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/346/200/normal/greyhound_anheader.png Chicago is a critical national hub for inter-city bus travel – but we are dangerously close to a collapse of service if urgent action isn’t taken to address the impeding closure of Chicago Greyhound Terminal on September 20th, 2024. Greyhound is a vital asset for Chicagoans’ and national traveler’s access to affordable, car-free travel to destinations underserved by other options, and losing service will have far reaching impacts. Whether these trips are for school, work, or play, they are vital and cannot be ignored. Many also depend on Greyhound to seek refuge in Chicago – from fleeing attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, seeking reproductive care, to fleeing domestic violence and beyond. Service cuts will mean many people will lose access to critical, life-saving services. ➡️ How did we get here? In 2021, Greyhound was split into two assets: its bus service and fleet, and its stations. FlixBus, an international inter-city bus operator, purchased the bus service and fleet, but all of the stations were sold to a private real estate holdings group instead. One-by-one, cities across the US have been facing Greyhound being priced out, or having the stations sold out from under them. Now, it’s Chicago’s turn. Other cities like Cincinnati and Philadelphia are a warning of what will happen if immediate steps aren’t taken to identify a solution that has the capacity to maintain service, and dedicated facilities with indoor waiting areas and restrooms for passengers. ➡️ What can we do? Advocates and elected officials have been working to raise awareness and urge action. In May, Ald. Carlos Ramierz-Rosa (35th Ward) was joined by Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st Ward) and Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward) in introducing a resolution urging action to identify a short and long-term solution, as well as for a hearing on the matter to be held in the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety. In July, 24 community, social justice, environmental, transportation, and civic organizations came together to send a letter to Mayor Johnson, laying out the case for urgent action – and the risks of doing nothing. Now, we’re asking you to join us in sending an email urging the Mayor and your Alderperson to: 1️⃣ Support and attend a subject matter hearing as called for in Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa’s resolution 2️⃣ Bring advocacy, bus operators, Amtrak, and other relevant agencies together to identify a short term solution that preserves as much service as possible and provides adequate passenger facilities 3️⃣ Commit to working on a long-term permanent inter-city bus terminal that allows for both the restoration of any lost service as well as future growth https://betterstreetschicago.org/greyhound/act