Huberman's managerial track record is encouraging; Illinois General Assembly holds key to fixing what's truly ailing regional transit
With his highly
regarded skillfulness at managing staff and outside expertise, Ron Huberman,
newly appointed president of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), has great
potential to improve the experience for the CTA’s 1.5 million daily riders.
However, no matter how tight a ship Huberman runs, the CTA's ability to meet
current and future demand ultimately rests with the Illinois General Assembly:
with the CTA's costs outweighing revenues by a 3 to 1 ratio - and no relief in
sight - what the agency needs more than anything is a significant infusion of
capital and operating revenues to maintain and expand service.
Consider the
hard numbers: the CTA needs $110 million simply to operate the current system,
and some $5.8 billion for capital maintenance and expansion.
With 2009 less than two years away, the
clock is ticking to identify an additional $176 million annually to fund pension
obligations. Meanwhile, the system is straining to serve more and more riders
each year. And the CTA isn't alone: Metra and Pace face similar funding
shortfalls, even as all three agencies experience growing ridership.
Metropolitan
Chicago, a
region built on the back of a strong transportation system, is facing a
transportation crisis; one man alone cannot turn the tide. To be sure,
Huberman's managerial acumen has been well-tested, most recently as chief of
staff to Mayor Daley; and prior to that as head of the Chicago Office of
Emergency Management and Communications. As chief architect of the plan to
improve the city's 911 call center, Huberman - who has a dual master's degree in
business administration and social service administration - had the prudence to
bring in outside experts to inform the plan. A similar strategy may serve him
well at the CTA.
Huberman likely will draw upon
all of
his skills to restore public confidence in the CTA, as well as to respond
to the auditor general's recent recommendations, including developing a plan to
fund the CTA employee pension plan, reducing employee absenteeism, and better coordinating with
Metra, Pace and the RTA. Yet, without sufficient funding from the state to
meet capital and operating needs, he will be hamstrung. Improving the daily
experience for CTA riders is about reducing delays, improving technology, and
providing better information - all of which ultimately cost money.
The Metropolitan Planning Council encourages the
Illinois General Assembly to work with Huberman, as well as the leaders of
Metra, Pace, and the Regional Transportation Authority, to increase funding for
the benefit of all of the region's public transportation users. MPC has assessed
the governor’s proposed budget for funding public transportation,
as well as roads and other infrastructure projects, and has several experts on
staff available for comment. To reach one of them, contact Mandy Burrell
.