a call to establish the
Metropolitan Mobility Authority
The Metropolitan Mobility Authority will replace four government agencies - RTA, CTA, Pace and Metra. These agencies have competed for funds, duplicated services and ignored decades-old requirements for integrated fares - with a unified body to oversee all bus, rail, and paratransit operations in Northeast Illinois.
Resources
What's at stake?
As ridership rebounds from pandemic lows, service is not meeting the needs of riders or employer well enough. The entire system is not sustainably funded, with a growing chasm in operations funding. If action isn't taken, then riders will experience catastrophic service cuts. Roadway traffic will worsen. Put simply, everyone will find it much harder to get around.
What's the solution?
Illinois can create the transit system residents want and will use. Our proposed bill establishes a new fund for $1.5 billion in annual transit operations support to stabilize public transit while transforming transit systems to yield statewide benefits. The legislation establishes a new, fully integrated Metropolitan Mobility Authority to deliver coordinated, regional transit service throughout Northeastern Illinois.
What's the value?
The Metropolitan Mobility Authority will replace four government agencies - RTA, CTA, Pace and Metra - which have competed for funds, duplicated services and ignored decades-old requirements for integrated fares - with a unified body to oversee all bus, rail, and paratransit operations in Northeast Illinois. This new Authority will put customers first and be accountable for safe, reliable, clean and comfortable transit. This Authority will require the directors overseeing the transit system to ride transit. And, it will add new representation from labor unions, people with disabilities, and the business community.
The Metropolitan Mobility Authority will provide:
Exceptional service
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Fund the system and modernize governance to support expanded, fast, frequent, reliable transit services that connect important destinations.
Safe and comfortable rides
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Implement policies, like transit ambassadors, that make transit safe, secure, & clean.
Unified regional vision
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Streamline operations and reduce overlapping and competing transit service with seamless route transfers throughout the 6 counties of Northeast Illinois.
Integrated and affordable fares
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Integrate one fare system across all Chicagoland transit providers; provide affordable fares and passes for low-income riders.
Desirable destinations within reach
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Incentivize transit-supportive development to foster vibrant, healthy communities with housing and amenities accessible via transit.