Transit is the Answer
to many of the region’s challenges but is threatened by lack of sufficient operating and capital funding after years of disinvestment and a pandemic. Our region’s current transit funding structure is also overly reliant on fares. Together this leaves our transit agencies to face an existential crisis that neither fare hikes nor service cuts can solve while preserving a useful and equitable system.
We need your help to win sustainable funding for transit and build a better system for everyone who relies on it.
The Agenda for Advocacy and Action in this plan lays out a path to position the system for long-term success by seeking new funding, making improvements for riders, and supporting communities working to increase transit access.
We recognize we can’t do this alone. Many of the advocacy and action items in this plan are not under the control of RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace. Leadership from a diverse group of elected officials and community leaders is needed to achieve meaningful change.
More than 100 riders, elected officials, advocates, and other stakeholders met virtually with the RTA on May 9 for the first quarterly Transit is the Answer Coalition meeting, receiving an update on strategic plan implementation and focusing on expanding the regional reduced fare and ride free program to people with low incomes. For 90 minutes, attendees learned from RTA staff on the agency’s current fare programs and possible ways to expand them and offered their recommendations for a path forward.
Read more in a recap of the first and second coalition meetings on the RTA Connections blog.
The Transit is the Answer Coalition will next meet in December 2023. Learn more and register now through Eventbrite.
Join our coalition
If you or your organization would like to sign on to be part of the Transit is the Answer coalition to support and advocate for transit's future in northeast Illinois, please fill out the form below.
