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* UPDATED x1 - RTA sides with Dillard *Daley proposes RTA revamp

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* From a Bill Daley press release…

In the wake of a growing scandal at Metra and the apparent inability of the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to effectively oversee public transit in the six-county area around Chicago, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Daley called for sweeping changes of the public transit structure in Illinois, essentially eliminating the RTA as we know it and investing the savings to hold down fare increases and restore service cuts for Metra, Pace and CTA riders without raising a dime in new taxes.

“The RTA spends over $33 million per year and does not provide a single ride for anyone in Illinois. It has morphed into a bureaucratic Frankenstein that must be completely rethought, and in many ways, eliminated,” said Daley.

Daley offered four principles that he will use to reorganize transit policy:

Eliminate redundant operations by getting rid of RTA operations already performed by other government agencies and invest as much as $33 million in savings to hold down fares and restore service cuts

Retain RTA’s strong bond rating by keeping its tax and bonding functions independent so the State of Illinois’ bad credit rating downgraded multiple times under Governor Quinn does not raise borrowing costs for public transit

Make Metra board more accountable to the Governor

Create a single fare card for all three service agencies and increase ease of integration for riders

Daley questioned the need for the existence of the RTA as currently structured. “The RTA claims to be the agency that makes Metra, Pace and CTA all work together, yet we still don’t have a single fare card you can use on all three systems. They spend $33 million per year and no one can tell me what they actually accomplish,” said Daley.

While Metra, Pace and CTA have all had to cut staff, reduce service or raise fares, RTA payroll has grown steadily.

* Suburban Republican reaction was expectedly suspicious…

But state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, who is seeking the Republican nomination, says the solution to what ails Metra is not to abolish the RTA but to strengthen its powers over both Metra and the CTA. With Democrats completely running Springfield and now perhaps moving in on the RTA, “I hope this is not a plot to grab more money for the CTA (from the suburbs) while Metra is in chaos,” Mr. Dillard said in a phone interview. […]

Abolishing the RTA has won the support of some civic groups, such as Metropolis Strategies. But others have pointed out that eliminating the RTA has been a long-time wish for the CTA and Chicago City Hall.

Mr. Dillard clearly alluded to the latter in his interview.

“The RTA, while imperfect, still somewhat guarantees the funding equity between the CTA and the suburbs,” he said. If its oversight of Metra has been inadequate, the solution is to give it “more power for the RTA, CTA and Pace, and not only in spending but hiring . . . The CTA clearly needs oversight.”

Thoughts?

*** UPDATE *** RTA ]RTA Chairman John Gates appears to side with Dillard via press release…

We hope that the Clifford matter can be the catalyst for something the RTA has long supported: greater authority to provide more extensive oversight of the service boards (CTA, Metra and Pace) and the authority to enforce compliance with RTA oversight.

I hope to have the support of all elected officials from the six county region, especially those who have appointing authority to the RTA board, in our efforts to remedy those statutory deficiencies so that we can ensure the Northeastern Illinois region area has an efficient, well-managed and world-class transit system.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 12:41 pm

Comments

CTA and Pace are jointly rolling out the Ventra fare card this year. Perhaps Mr. Daley may have heard of it? But their fare structure is very different from Metra’s, so it’s not as simple to merge them all into one fare system.

Aren’t the Wall Street brains running the show smarter than that?

Oh, right. Never mind.

Comment by Northsider Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 12:50 pm
===”The RTA, while imperfect, still somewhat guarantees the funding equity between the CTA and the suburbs,”===

Protecting funding equity, while understandable, shouldn’t be the primary goal of a regional transit agency. The goal should be to produce the best possible transit system for the region. If the best transit system comes with some funding inequities, but works well for the users and employers who rely on it, so be it.

A single fare structure is hardly a radical idea. Empty Pace buses aren’t serving anyone well. If there are more riders using the CTA, if more Metra bridges in Chicago need improvement, why are we not spending money where it will have the most impact? Oh, right, because of politics.

Dillard needs to rise above the usual DuPage County political viewpoint and recognize that he is running for Governor of the whole state.

This is a good issue for Daley. It’s simple, policy-based, direct and timely.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 12:54 pm
They’re busy driving down the state’s bond rating.

“Aren’t the Wall Street brains running the show smarter than that?”

Comment by AFSCME Steward Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 12:56 pm
There is a lot more to this issue than a single fare system and abolishing the RTA to gain 33 million is a drop in the bucket of the total transit tax expense. The “downstate paying for Chicago welfare”, which is a racist sentiment, is driven, in part, by CTA funding from the state. I don’t believe Mr. Daley has a comprehensive policy solution to mass transit funding and this is just a cheap press pop to get facetime.

Comment by anonxx Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:01 pm
For years the Democrats/City/Union alliance have wanted to wrest more cash out of taxpayers to subsidize the bloated CTA.

Anyone remember the days when Mayor Daley I and the City Dems would annually hit up Springfield for more CTA money to deal with deficits, labor unrest, etc? The RTA was established to have a more balanced funding approach, especially as transit needs among the suburbs grew.

The RTA has suffered under a spineless series of board members more interested in health/pension benefits than assertively leading on transit funding.

Dillard is absolutely right. The RTA needs more teeth and any efforts by Bill Daley, Rahm Emanuel, Madigan, etc. etc. should be resisted.

Comment by Adam Smith Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:02 pm
So the Democrat wants to abolish a government agency, while a Republican wants to expand its powers.

This is Illinois.

Comment by The Doc Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:04 pm
@The Doc - you quite literally just read my mind.

Apparently down is up, and up is down.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:14 pm
I don’t nor have ever lived in the Chicago area so I really don’t have an opinion on this, but having 4 different agencies for transportation (one of which doesn’t even transport anyone) seems odd to me. Would wouldn’t one single authority be the answer? It’s all blended as a single region anyway.

Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:32 pm
Dillard is wrong. The RTA has nothing to do with ensuring funding equity. Sales tax funds have been distributed by state formula or longstanding policy the same way since the RTA was created.

Comment by Upstate Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:41 pm
The inherent problem with the RTA is that it takes a super-majority vote of its Board to do anything. If any part of the RTA region does not like what the RTA wants to do, they simply withhold (or threaten to withhold) their votes for the measure.

For example, if the RTA wants to create a single-card for all three systems, but the CTA doesn’t like it, then the Mayor’s 5 appointments all vote against it, and it doesn’t happen. The RTA’s purpose is to ensure regional cohesiveness, but that is impossible to ever happen if the CTA and Metra refuse to collaborate.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:44 pm
Daley continues to think outside of the box which, given this state’s dire conditions, is a strong factor. He’s offering policy proposals that are clear and bright — so far.

Comment by NW Illinois Democrat Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:45 pm
Just Me–

The state legislature has already mandated a single fare card for use on all three systems. By law, its supposed to be in place by January 2015. Pace and CTA already have theirs, and expect to have it out and in use before the year is over. Metra still hasn’t even said how they’re going to comply with the law, and the RTA hasn’t forced them.

Comment by Chicago taxpayer Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:49 pm
Daley’s the only one running with specifics, and not political pap, so far. He’s pleasantly surprised me — so far.

Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:50 pm
The best way to reform the RTA is have somebody appoint its members who DO NOT also appoint the service board’s members. Then the RTA won’t be afraid of the agencies it is supposed to be in charge of.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 1:50 pm
The RTA + three operating agency system was always a political compromise that made no management sense. As a management matter, there should be one metropolitan transit agency that provides service throughout the region, whether by commuter rail, L/subway, or bus. Each of the political fiefdoms was afraid that it wouldn’t get its share of the goodies if there was one board, so they have three. (More health care for patronage appointees! More contracts for everyone!)

Neither Daley nor Dillard is talking about a real solution.

Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 2:22 pm
The RTA is seen politically in the ‘burbs as a counter balance to the power of Chicago. Politically the ‘burbs can swing, and are seen as sometimes determining statewide and national elections. If there’s consolidation or rationalization of transportation, it will be politically driven toward the RTA level, not away from it.

As to whether the RTA actually works operationally, is another question.

Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 2:23 pm
The RTA is a joke. Daley is right about this. What do they do? Seriously… Anyone? They have a $33 million budget and for simply bureaucratic functions.

Oh, and Jordan Matyas and the RTA are going to provide more oversight? Give me a break. The fact that the RTA hired Jordan to justify their continued existence tells you all you need to know.

Comment by Rahm'sMiddleFinger Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 2:27 pm
Rahm’sMiddleFinger: word!

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 2:28 pm
Agree w/ Rahm’s Middle Finger. Well said!

Not a surprise that Dillard would try and protect the RTA. Wonder if he has tried to clout in some patronage workers over the years like Madigan?

Comment by Hmmm Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 2:39 pm
Dillard’s not a state senator if the guy who had his seat before him doesn’t step down to take over RTA. Interesting career circle.

Comment by shore Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 2:47 pm
I live and work in Chicago and do not own a car, so obviously I use the CTA a lot. I use Metra occasionally, and the only time I’ve been on a PACE bus had to do with jury duty.

There should just be one agency running all of the public transportation in northern IL. I don’t really care what you call it, but we really need to get rid of three of the four boards.

Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 2:54 pm
I agree with Keyrock:

=== Neither Daley nor Dillard is talking about a real solution. ===

Comment by Bill White Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 3:08 pm
I hate to say that Daley’s right, but Daley’s right. The entire RTA idea came from financial problems faced by the CTA & suburban commuter lines in the mid 70’s. When it was created, there was a history of independent operators for virtually all of the transit modes in the 6 collar area. It was also created at a time when transit centered on getting large numbers of people to downtown Chicago. The transit needs for NE Illinois have evolved since the RTA was created. The downtown Chicago centric feeder system is now obsolete. Mass transit for the entire region needs to be rethought. The cumbersome system currently in place makes change very difficult & bureaucratic. Replacing the RTA with a single transit unit that oversees all transit for the 6 county region makes sense, and will save millions of dollars.

Comment by AFSCME Steward Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 3:26 pm
I usually disagree with Dillard, but this time I think he’s right to be suspicious of a Chicago takeover of the region’s public transit using gas taxes that come mainly from the suburbs.

AFSCME: The key issue will be who controls the power on the new super agency you and Daley want. Will it be our friends from the City who allocate funds paid primarily by suburban commuters?

Comment by reformer Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 4:39 pm
Chicago Taxpayer: Despite what the law says, in order for the RTA Board to “force” Metra to do something, Metra has to give permission to the suburban members of the RTA Board to vote for it.

Comment by Just Me Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 4:51 pm
Reformer

The entire idea of transit I the 6 county area needs to be revamped. The transit system is largely geared to those heading into Chicago, especially downtown. The number of commuters needing suburb to suburb has dramatically increased. Unfortunately, the RTA has not responded to this change in a meaningful fashion. The competing, sometimes at a cut throat level, between the 3 transit agencies interferes with a real broad based & well thought out strategy. Each agency creates its own goals and long term plans. Frequently these plans are silo thinking in nature, taking into account only the perceived needs of the particular agency. In addition to the cluttered bureaucracy the RTA has become, it is also not cost effective in a time where government resources are dwindling.

What is needed is one board, that oversees the entire transit operation in NE Illinois. If this were formed correctly, taking into account the needs of all the customers in the region, services could be delivered more efficiently. Additionally, new transportation ideas could be discussed and implemented, without the in fighting that frequently interferes with progress. Less expensive transit systems could be developed, such as region wide bus rapid transit, light versus heavy rail in some corridors, transit hubs that connect commuters to a variety of options that serve Chicago-suburb & suburb-suburb needs.

“The key issue will be who controls the power on the new super agency you and Daley want. Will it be our friends from the City who allocate funds paid primarily by suburban commuters”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 25, 13 @ 10:07 pm
That last post was me

Comment by AFSCME Steward Friday, Jul 26, 13 @ 5:19 am