* WTTW…
The Regional Transportation Authority is pitching what it calls a “historic restructuring” that would grant the agency authority to more aggressively coordinate fare policy, service standards and capital projects among CTA, Metra and Pace — reforms the RTA said could create both cost savings and a vastly improved rider experience.
The proposal comes as the Chicago region’s transit agencies are facing down an estimated $750 million fiscal cliff next year when COVID-19 relief money runs out — and amid conversations in Springfield about tying increased transit funding to major changes to the existing public transit structure. Some lawmakers have floated merging RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace into a single agency, coupled with an additional $1.5 billion in annual funding.
The transit agencies have cheered the proposed funding boost, noting that Illinois invests far less in transit than other states — but have thrown cold water on the idea of a merger, arguing it won’t create the efficiencies or service improvements backers hope.
RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden said the new proposal, set to be outlined by RTA Board Chairman Kirk Dillard in a Wednesday speech at the City Club, is the culmination of more than two years of work that can serve as a roadmap for lawmakers debating transit’s future during the General Assembly’s spring session.
* From the proposal…
• RTA leads a one-stop-shop contact center for all rider issues, including Ventra/ticket purchasing, free and reduced rider certification, and ADA paratransit certification
• RTA manages and sets all fare policy, including unified fare products
• RTA leads development of a universal app for all fare payment, consolidates special fare programs, and expands Access pilot for riders experiencing low incomes region-wide
• RTA sets uniform customer information design standards and centralizes deployment of real-time tracking information
It also wants a lot of control over capital spending. But there’s nothing in there about coordinating schedules between the systems beyond setting some minimum performance standards for buses and trains to cut rider wait times “by as much as 50%.”
* The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition is not happy…
In response to the Regional Transportation Authority’s announcement of their plans to “transform transit” today, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition released the following statement:
“Illinoisans deserve and want a transformed transit system outlined in the Clean and Equitable Transportation Act (CETA) that coordinates smooth, accessible and equitable service, connects folks to affordable, active modes of transportation, and mitigates air and climate pollution. Today’s announcement from RTA reminds riders of many failed promises over the last decade, and is another too little, too late half-measure that puts holding on to power above the needs of riders and taxpayers. Legislative leaders in Springfield have made it clear there is no new revenue to improve transit without major reforms.”
Its membership list, which includes the Illinois Environmental Council, is here.
- Dan Johnson - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 12:48 pm:
Sincere question: does RTA have the statutory authority to do all these helpful things now? But just hasn’t had the votes on their board to authorize their staff to do it? I think that’s right for at least some of these helpful proposals. (And if that’s true, perhaps they should get started on them now, even if it makes for a non-unanimous board vote). Anyway it is great to see such a focus on expanded frequency and expanded ridership. That is the whole point.
- New Day - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 1:04 pm:
CJC puts out a statement dissing it probably before they even read it. Not surprised. But here’s the thing. Between the three agencies, RTA seems to be the least dysfunctional of the agencies. I’ve read their proposal and there’s a lot of good to build on. How about saying what you like about it and offering ideas for improvement instead of just slamming it?
Btw, I saw the big CTA vision too. It was a joke. This is a much better plan on which to build.
- You win more bees with honey - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 1:16 pm:
The clean jobs coalition wants to lead this but this is what they have been talking to people about wanting down the line. Progressives always get in their own way.
- Moe Berg - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 1:33 pm:
The CJC reaction makes it seem like Dillard called for abolishing mass transit in NE Illinois.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 1:45 pm:
These transit issues have all spiraled out of control under Dillard’s watch. Why on earth is he still there?
- ChicagoBars - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 2:05 pm:
Have any of these transit agencies released their “fiscal cliff” plans if no new funding is approved? Ideally broken down by with/without fare increases? Because a grand transit “solution” with or without new revenue feels far away.
- Interested Bystander - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 2:12 pm:
This proposal is a turf battle offensive, not a real solution. Dillard has not been shy about letting legislators know he believes the answer to Illinois public transportation issues is to let RTA take over. Anyone who rides Metra knows they have their own reliability and fiscal responsibility issues. All the current players have a hand in the current mess. Time for a fresh start, not a hostile takeover by one branch.
- James the Intolerant - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 2:24 pm:
@ChicagoBars, here at Metra they are finally looking at budgets to cut 10%, which could almost be achieved by eliminating vacancies. They have been fiddling for years, throwing out the 40% cut scare tactics.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 2:39 pm:
One of my pet peeves about Metra is their insistence on having conductors collect fares/check for paid fares. It’s hard to believe that in 2025 a person can board a train without first having paid a fare. I realize the pricing is dependent on where the rider boards and gets off, but still, there must be a better way to handle this via technology.
Question for those who visited Germany: do their rail lines allow riders to board before payment? How does that work? Can it work here?
I realize it would require pretty significant capital costs to modernize all of the Metra stations, the physical needs are immense. But has anyone looked at whether this is feasible?
Anyone who’s gone to Ravinia for a big concert knows the ride home on Metra is basically free because the conductors can’t make it through all of the cars. I’ve always found this mind boggling.
- Traveler - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 3:37 pm:
Trains in Munich have conductors walk through and check ticket just like Metra, but it links to the bus/ subway/ tram system more seamlessly.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 3:43 pm:
==Question for those who visited Germany: do their rail lines allow riders to board before payment? How does that work? Can it work here?==
Travelled across Germany by train last year. Used subways in metro areas (U/S-bahn) and regional trains along the Rhine. None of those modes checked for fares or required us to scan our tickets to board.
Only ICE (long distance, minimal stops) had a conductor check for tickets but those were reserved seats.
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 3:53 pm:
I’m embarrassed for the transit agencies for suggesting they just need more money and that tinkering around with the edges of who is responsible for what will solve the problem. I can only imagine they are doing that because their appointing authorities/boards are telling them to say that.
And this is the real problem: The officials who appoint the board of the oversight agency are (with a couple exceptions) the exact same officials who appoint the boards of the service providers. That is why there is no coordination between the agencies — everyone is protecting their political fiefdom.
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 3:57 pm:
=== It’s hard to believe that in 2025 a person can board a train without first having paid a fare. ===
Your solution would require some sort of barrier around the Metra platforms. It isn’t an unsurmountable challenge, but still exists especially considering most of Metra’s rail lines are owned by the railroad companies and they won’t want their freight trains to be slowed down or responsible for installation/maintenance.
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 4:00 pm:
Dan - ===does RTA have the statutory authority to do all these helpful things now?===
It depends on your legal interpretation. The RTA has to approve the service boards’ operating budgets in December, as well as the expenditure of all capital dollars, so they could withhold that approval unless the service provider plays ball. See my above comment about why they don’t use the limited power they have now which is why they can’t be trusted to use additional power.
- BC - Wednesday, Jan 15, 25 @ 4:44 pm:
@47th Ward, good points and good questions. My guess is building some kind of turnstile-like fare collection barrier at each Metra station would be really expensive and just plain hard to do, particularly given the size of Metra trains. The Twin Cities have a couple of light rail lines that neither have turnstiles at stations or conductors taking tickets. Transit security officer randomly (and rarely) spot-check trains to see if passengers have tickets or paid with an app. Passengers are basically on the honor system. It seemed to work for a while (“Minnesota nice”) but broke down during the pandemic. Fare-compliance and other anti-social behaviors have become a real issue, resulting in calls for more police and a better fare-collection system.