I grew up in Chicago riding the CTA, where public transit was just part of my everyday routine. It wasn’t something I questioned until I started noticing its patterns. Which neighborhoods had access, which didn’t, and how long it took to get anywhere depending on where you started. Who shared the space with me, and who was missing.

Chicago’s transit system is one of the oldest in the country, but it’s also shaped by long-standing inequities. The South and West Sides have been historically underserved, with routes designed to move people downtown rather than between neighborhoods. Decisions made decades ago continue to define how the city moves today.

Next Stop is my way of making that visible. It’s a project rooted in place, history, and lived experience, an honest reflection of how I see the city as both a rider and a designer.