Illinois’ public transportation system is facing a dire financial crisis. Without immediate action, “L” trains, Metra trains and Pace buses could disappear. With 309 million rides annually on the CTA alone, the impact of service cuts would be catastrophic for commuters and the region’s economy.
This issue is not just numbers; it’s about real people. Consider the essential worker who must catch a bus for their early shift, the student who needs the train to get to college or the retiree who uses public transportation to reach their doctor. On the business side, companies also depend on a solid transit system to connect with customers and employees. A safe and reliable system also provides benefits to those who enjoy the best of what Chicagoland offers, such as its iconic museums, dining, sporting events, shopping and festivals. If we do nothing, the effects will be severe.
There will be cuts to services, station shutdowns and increased fares, affecting low-income communities and people of color the hardest. This will widen existing inequalities, hurt businesses, slow down our economy and put our region at a disadvantage.
Thankfully, there is a path forward. The United We Move Illinois legislation, led by state Sen. Ram Villivalam and House Assistant Majority Leader Marcus C. Evans Jr., offers a bold vision for our transit future. Rather than slapping together a temporary fix, this plan addresses the deeper issues causing our transit struggles and builds a stronger and fairer system.
United We Move Illinois focuses on safety for both passengers and essential transit workers. Through public polling over recent years, we know that riders want to see a greater law enforcement presence along the various systems. The bill proposes a dedicated police force for the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to maintain a strong security presence across all transit services, making everyone feel more secure.
Also, a new transit ambassador program would be implemented to train personnel to help riders with questions and concerns, creating a friendlier travel experience. The plan aims to simplify rides with a universal fare system, which means no more juggling different tickets or apps. This approach would make travel between transit systems much more manageable, saving time and reducing stress, which is helpful for both daily commuters and out-of-town travelers from cities across Illinois and surrounding states. It also embraces technology such as mobile ticketing and real-time information to improve the overall experience for riders. To ensure the transit system is managed well, the legislation seeks to raise the qualifications for those overseeing the CTA, Metra and Pace. This would bring in experts in transportation and planning, ensuring that the needs of the public and workers are considered in decisions.
United We Move Illinois addresses the critical funding issue. It aims to create a fair and steady funding system to avoid steep fare increases that could burden families and dissuade people from using public transport. There would also be a pilot program exploring new ways to fund our transit system to ensure its future stability. Recognizing the importance of transit workers, the plan ensures their voices are heard by guaranteeing their representation on transit boards.
This collaborative approach would help make the transit environment better for everyone.
The situation is urgent. If we don’t confront this funding crisis, communities will face service cuts, station closures and job losses, damaging our quality of life and entire economy, including tourism, business and more across the entire state.
We must take action now. Let’s urge our leaders to support United We Move Illinois and invest in our transit system’s future.
We cannot sit back and watch our transit system fall apart. We must advocate for a future where public transportation is safe, reliable, affordable and accessible. A future where our communities flourish, our economy thrives and our environment is cared for.
Together, we will fight for and win a better future for Illinois.
Keith Hill is president of the Amalgamated Transit Union’s Local 241. Pennie McCoach is president and business agent of the union’s Local 308. Bob Guy is state director of the SMART-TD Illinois Legislative Board. Brian Shanahan is the railroad coordinator for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
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