Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signs public transit funding bill, creating Northern Illinois Transit Authority
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new public transit funding bill Tuesday.
It provides enough funding, he says, to avoid fare hikes, service cuts or layoffs at the CTA, Metra and Pace.
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The transit bill includes an estimated $1.2 billion in new annual operating funding for the three transit systems and action to increase safety on public transit.
The state is replacing the Regional Transportation Authority with the Northern Illinois Transit Authority.
RELATED: Illinois lawmakers pass public transit funding bill to address RTA budget gap
This will allow the state to establish a universal fare system and coordinate scheduling among the three agencies.
Riders have previously paid a variety of fares and had multiple apps or fare cards.
For the first time, the governor will have input on the board with five appointments.
“This new law is designed to modernize Illinois’ systems, from the far northern reaches of our state to east and west central Illinois, to southern Illinois. We are bolstering operations and upgrading trains and tracks and buses, and doing it in the most responsible way with no new statewide taxes,” Pritzker said.
SEE ALSO: CTA submits safety plan to FTA after threat of funding cuts
“The big board will have more power and set service standards, and that is a great improvement,” RTA Board Chairman Kirk Dillard said.
Transit leaders say this plan will optimize service, reliability, cleanliness, safety and coordination among the three agencies.
“They should have one app on their phone, or one card in their pocket and one schedule. Transit should be easy, safe, clean and timely,” Democratic Senate President Don Harmon said.
Besides having one app or fare card, NITA will have the authority to streamline and integrate service and capital plans among Metra, CTA and Pace so there is no repetition or overlap. For years, each transit agency operated in its own silo.
“We’re ensuring that the agencies are held accountable to certain levels of service, which include frequency, reliability, accessibility and so much more,” said Democratic state Sen. Ram Villivalam, a legislation co-sponsor.
In addition, the new legislation prioritizes safety be creating a law enforcement task force. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Chicago police and other organizations will work together to address crime hotspots on public transit.
The bill will be paid for by raising the region’s sales tax, increasing tollway fees and shifting some of the state’s gas tax revenue from road projects to transit.
The legislation goes into effect June 1.
Riders Tuesday morning said this is welcomed news.
“I think it’s great,” CTA rider Linas Sutkus said. “I ride it every day, and I like that the costs were reduced recently. They’ve kept them down. It’s good to keep it down, makes it safe. After all the stuff that’s happened recently with the lady getting set on fire, safety is a big issue.”
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