Coalition members provide feedback on possible reforms to improve service and accountability for riders

More than 140 riders, agency staff, legislative staff, advocates, and other stakeholders met virtually on July 31 for the fifth quarterly Transit is the Answer Coalition meeting and discussed regional transit system updates, legislative developments, and proposed governance reform concepts.

System updates

After a welcome from RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden, the meeting began with a presentation from RTA Government Affairs Associate Kendra Johnson on system and legislative updates. She shared that the first half of 2024 brought significant ridership gains as CTA, Metra, and Pace are providing more than 1.2 million trips per weekday and adjusting their service to new travel patterns. And as ridership has increased, crime has decreased. In April, the system registered a 16 percent year over year decrease in crime.

Making paying for transit more seamless and affordable is one action item in Transit is the Answer, the RTA's regional transit strategic plan. Johnson reported that there are new fare passes and products to incentivize more regional mobility, like the recently announced Regional Day Pass, and that the RTA has expanded the region's reduced fare offerings with an income-based Access Pilot Program.

While the recent ridership growth is encouraging, it does not resolve the transit system's financial crisis. As a result of chronic underfunding and the growth of remote and hybrid work post-pandemic, starting in 2026 the system faces a projected budget gap equivalent to 20 percent of the region's operating budget, estimated at more than $730 million annually and growing. Increased funding is required to fill the gap and maintain service levels, while additional funds beyond the fiscal cliff can realize expanded and improved transit service.

"Right now, with federal relief funding filling the operations gap, the system is expanding service and seeing increased ridership, and in turn riders are experiencing all the benefits of these improvements," Johnson said. "Seizing upon this momentum will result in a system that works better for everyone. Delaying action risks setting the system back, making our region less equitable, economically competitive, and in a worse position to combat climate change."

Legislative developments

The RTA is working with state lawmakers, advocates, and the Service Boards to develop sustainable funding solutions that improve the system for all riders and maximize transit's impact on the region's economy, climate, and equity.

To highlight the value of transit and gather input on funding and reform ideas, Senate Transportation Committee Chair Sen. Ram Villivalam scheduled a series of six subject matter hearings to be held over the summer to continue the conversation about the future of public transit in the Chicago region.

The hearings come after legislation was introduced that proposes the consolidation of CTA, Metra, Pace, and RTA into a new transit authority, the Metropolitan Mobility Authority or MMA. The RTA does not support full consolidation because the agency does not believe it's the most effective way to improve service and accountability for riders. The RTA is also concerned that the MMA proposal does not advance the critical funding need that is paramount to conversations about the future of transit.

Proposed reforms

The Plan of Action for Regional Transit (PART) developed by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning or CMAP outlines two possible options for transit governance. One envisions consolidating the RTA and the Service Boards into one regional entity, and the other envisions a stronger regional authority with more influence and oversight on service, fare policy, and capital project prioritization. These are areas where the RTA's regional perspective and budgetary role could add value for riders and taxpayers.

The discussion at the meeting focused on what implementation of the stronger RTA option could look like. Peter Kersten, RTA's Program Manager, Strategic Plan Implementation, walked attendees through three reform concepts as primer for breakout discussions:

1. Regional Service Standards: Currently each Service Board sets policy standards specific to modes and the part of the region they serve. Riders travel on three separate systems, and the schedules don't always a align for transfers. A potential reform is for RTA to work with stakeholders to define Regional Service Standards for minimum levels of service for each mode of travel to ensure a basic level of access to transit for residents. This could also include additional accountability, requiring operating agencies to testify quarterly to the RTA Board on how they are meeting these standards and answer questions from the regional board. The RTA would not be planning service, and the Service Boards would retain control over routes and schedules. Rather, RTA would use a regional lens to evaluate the impact of various transit services and identify areas where improvements may be needed
   
   
2. Regional Fare Policy: Currently each Service Board sets fare levels and policy individually. In recent years there have been successes at increasing affordability and integration because of flexible one-time federal funds. RTA recently published a report on how to make our fare system more equitable. Sustainable state funding for operations and a regional fare policy can ensure that riders access simple, easy to understand fares and fare programs, while also ensuring the RTA remains a good steward of public resources. The RTA is well positioned to lead the development of this policy given our role overseeing the regional operating budget and ability to evaluate how various transit fare structures are working for riders across the region.
   
   
3. Capital Project Prioritization: Currently capital projects and programs are determined by the Service Boards. RTA plays an oversight role through the budget process and the capital program, but often regional perspective is inserted too late in the process. Increasingly, competitive federal funding opportunities require or at least favor a regional vision and coordination in projects to tackle climate change and deliver more connected communities. A strong regional agency setting the vision and taking the lead on key federal and state grant applications will ensure that benefits are maximized - be that climate action through greenhouse gas reductions, investment dollars coming to the region, or being good stewards of our existing infrastructure.

Feedback from coalition

After these presentations, attendees were sent to breakout groups to discuss each reform concept, ask questions, and provide feedback. To inform potential regional service standards, facilitators asked meeting attendees about the baseline level of service they expect in their communities and whether the system is currently meeting that goal. Feedback varied by location, with many acknowledging that city headways with dense populations should be more frequent than suburban headways. However, on-demand transit service in the suburbs is a popular concept, and attendees agreed that all three agencies aligning on schedules to make for seamless transfers and providing service that is reliable is key.

On the topic of regional fare policy, facilitators asked what attendees like about the system's current fare policy and what they think should be changed. Some said they appreciated being able to tap to pay on CTA and Pace and expressed that this option for Metra would make it easier to ride and would open the door for fare integration. Many advocated for fare capping to ensure that riders who pay per trip never pay more than the cost of a daily, weekly, or monthly pass. There was also general support for an expanded Access program, providing regional reduced fares to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for qualifying riders on CTA and Pace.

Regarding capital project prioritization, facilitators asked what types of transit capital projects should be prioritized over the next 10 years and how the RTA could help advance a regional vision into these projects. Attendees were interested in capital projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase accessibility. Most said bringing the current infrastructure to a state of good repair should take priority over expansion projects, but many noted the Red Line Extension is an important capital project that will have a major impact on equity and access to opportunity. They also highlighted bus rapid transit as an efficient way to increase access to fast, reliable public transportation in the city and suburbs.

Breakout sessions were followed by 30 minutes of networking and Q&A, where attendees asked general questions of or provided feedback to RTA staff.

Watch a recording of the full Coalition meeting online and join the Transit is the Answer Coalition to be part of the process and stay informed on progress.

Next steps

RTA staff will incorporate this feedback into ongoing conversations with legislators and stakeholders about what a stronger RTA could look like and which reforms are most effective at improving service and accountability for riders. Future meetings and events will feature opportunities for riders and stakeholders to get involved and advocate for sustainable funding and reform in advance of the fiscal cliff.

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