RTA Seeks Expanded Authority over CTA, Metra, Pace as Solution to Transit ‘Fiscal Cliff’
A Middle-Road Approach to Avoid Service Cuts and Reductions
Some lawmakers want to consolidate the Chicago area’s four public transit agencies this year in exchange for more state money to steer the agencies away from an impending "fiscal cliff." In 2026, the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace face a combined $770 million yearly deficit and potentially a 40% reduction in bus and rail service.
RTA Chairman’s Proposal
Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Chairman Kirk Dillard is asking state lawmakers to grant the RTA substantially more authority to govern fares, service, and investments in major projects. According to the plan, which Dillard expects to lay out on Wednesday afternoon at the City Club of Chicago, the RTA would allow the CTA, Pace, and Metra to maintain control over their day-to-day operations.
Key Components of the Plan
- The RTA would gain control over the agencies’ budgets, requiring quarterly reports on service levels "to ensure it is meeting the standards that have been set."
- If the RTA finds an agency is not meeting standards, it would require improvement before granting funds.
- The RTA would raise fares by 10% to increase funding by $50 million. The RTA says it can save $50 million annually by cutting redundant administrative jobs.
- The RTA is still seeking an additional $1.5 billion in state money to increase service frequency to the point that customers would not have to check for arrival times before leaving the door.
Additional Proposals
- A single-fare system that would be centralized in one phone application.
- Vouchers for ride-hailing car services for the "last mile" of people’s trips in the event of service cancellation or delays.
- Expansion of Metra’s Access reduced-fare program for low-income riders to CTA and Pace.
Strengthening Public Safety
The RTA’s plan addresses public safety, a concern as transit crime rose during the pandemic, by increasing service frequency and partnering with local governments to heighten the presence of officers and social services on the system.
Coordination and Funding
A strengthened RTA could help win "scarce federal grant dollars," Dillard says, because its capital projects would be more coordinated and traverse geographic boundaries. The RTA’s proposal comes at a pivotal time for public transit, which has been struggling with lower ridership since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
The RTA’s proposal offers a middle-road approach to address the transit agencies’ fiscal challenges, allowing them to maintain control over their operations while providing a unified framework for funding and decision-making. With the fate of public transit hanging in the balance, the RTA’s proposal deserves careful consideration from lawmakers and the public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the RTA’s proposal?
A: The RTA’s proposal seeks to grant the agency more authority to govern fares, service, and investments in major projects, allowing it to provide a unified framework for funding and decision-making.
Q: What are the benefits of the RTA’s proposal?
A: The proposal would allow the RTA to raise fares by 10%, increase funding by $50 million, and save $50 million annually by cutting redundant administrative jobs. It would also allow the RTA to win "scarce federal grant dollars" by coordinating capital projects.
Q: What is the current fiscal situation of the CTA, Metra, and Pace?
A: The three agencies face a combined $770 million yearly deficit and potentially a 40% reduction in bus and rail service.
