Pilot project will shorten commutes along Jeffery Boulevard
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), with its partner the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), today announced the brand name for its upcoming new, faster bus service on Jeffery Boulevard: the Jeffery Jump.
The previously announced service will operate from 103rd Street on the south side to Metra’s Ogilvie and Union Stations downtown, saving an estimated five to seven minutes off of morning and evening commutes. The new service is scheduled to begin in November 2012. Road work to prepare Jeffery Boulevard for Jump service has already begun.
“We are pleased to launch the Jeffery Jump name and concept, with the priority of providing faster and more reliable bus service to our customers,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “The Jeffery Jump will lay the groundwork for future Bus Rapid Transit projects planned for Chicago.”
The Jump service is branded to communicate the way this service allows commuters to “jump” ahead of traffic and get a “jump start” on their morning and evening commutes Jeffery Jump buses uses will be visually distinguishable from other CTA buses—wrapped in bright blue with the Jump logo.
The service will test many elements of bus rapid transit. Jeffery Jump buses will travel on dedicated lanes during rush hour periods between 67th to 83rd streets. Jump buses will have traffic signal prioritization between 73rd and 84th streets, where extended green lights at intersections will allow Jump buses to move faster through the corridor.
Also, a queue jump on northbound Jeffery Boulevard at Anthony Avenue will provide a bypass lane to allow buses to advance through an intersection with a unique traffic signal. The Jump will stop approximately every half mile; local service is still provided by the #15 Jeffery Local route and will not have any changes to its current bus stops.
In addition to improving travel time, the Jeffery Jump will offer enhanced features at 20 northbound and southbound stops that will include lighted bus shelters with Bus Tracker LED displays, Jump-branded information kiosks, ADA-accessible sidewalk ramps, bike racks, benches, trash receptacles, and landscape planters.
Two stations, located at 71st and Jeffery and 100th and Paxton, will have unique sidewalk and crosswalk designs and a large canopy for protection from the weather. Curb bump-outs will limit the need for buses to merge in and out of traffic in order for customers to board.
The features of the Jump service will serve as a foundation for future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors planned for Western and Ashland avenues as well as an east-west corridor in the Loop. The Jeffery pilot will test various BRT elements along the corridor, which will be helpful in expanding the network of BRT corridors throughout the service area.
The project is funded by an $11 million Federal Bus and Bus Facilities Livability Grant, which was awarded to the CTA in 2010.
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