Council: Funding without reforms, including a stronger RTA, would be a mistake
(Chicago) … Auditor General
William G. Holland’s performance audit of northeastern Illinois’ mass transit
agencies supports the Metropolitan Planning Council’s (MPC) position that more
funding is needed now for public transportation, but must be accompanied by
systemic reforms to increase the efficiency of, facilitate coordination between,
and improve planning by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, Pace, and
Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).
Funding
The auditor general’s review confirms what transit riders already know:
northeastern Illinois ’ transit system is in danger of crumbling under the dual
demands of increasing ridership and decreasing capital and operating funding.
Aging tracks, technology,
rail cars and buses are slowing down service. Ridership growth and inflation
have sharply increased operating expenses. Meanwhile, capital and operating
revenues continue to be insufficient to cover expenses. As a result, at a time
when northeastern
Illinois
should be improving and expanding
service to meet growing demand for public transit, agencies are struggling to
maintain the current system with inadequate resources.
“A strong public
transportation system is a cornerstone of a healthy regional economy. More
capital funding to repair and modernize our public transportation system, and
more operating funding to meet growing demand for transit service are needed
now,” said Michael McLaughlin, MPC’s new transportation director. “Reviewing the
current funding formula is one necessary step toward identifying additional
revenue to ensure metropolitan
Chicago
does not take a step backward in terms
of meeting the region’s transportation needs.”
Reforms
Increasing
public transportation funding without instituting systemic reforms would be a
mistake. While more funding is needed now for public transportation, to reap the
greatest benefit from any infusion in funding, the region’s transit providers
must have a long-term plan in place for how those dollars will be spent and for
quantifying the benefits. For instance, a long-term plan should coordinate with
regional development patterns to maximize efficiency and reverse the trend
toward an increasing dependence on cars and longer commutes.
“The
RTA must play a key role in shaping that plan,” McLaughlin added. “A
strengthened RTA should lead on planning for new and expanded infrastructure and
service, and should coordinate and guide the operating and financing activities
of CTA, Metra and Pace. In so doing, the RTA can find opportunities to improve
efficiency and effectiveness of the system as a whole.” For instance,
establishing a universal fare card would make it easier for transit users to
transfer seamlessly between CTA, Metra and Pace.
For comment from MPC on the report, transit funding, and
a potential state capital investment package, please contact Mandy Burrell,
communications associate, at 312-863-6018 (office), 773-640-1206 (cell), or mburrell@metroplanning.org; or Michael McLaughlin,
transportation director, at 312-863-6022 or mmclaughlin@metroplanning.org
.