Transit Agencies Present 2016 Proposed Budgets to RTA Finance Committee

[caption id="attachment_522" align="alignleft" width="3008"] Finance Meeting Metra Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Don Orseno (center) discusses Metra's 2016 budget during the RTA Special Finance Committee meeting. Seated with Orseno is Thomas Farmer, Chief Financial Officer and Lynnette Ciavarella, Senior Division Director, Strategic Capital Planning[/caption]

CTA, Metra and Pace presented their 2016 proposed operating budgets and capital programs to the RTA's Finance Committee today. Here are some of the highlights of what was presented:

CTA

CTA's 2016 budget is structurally balanced for the fifth year in a row.

In 2015, more than 1,000 buses were overhauled and 275 new buses were delivered, with an additional 150 expected next year.

Metra

Metra's $2.4 billion modernization program is a key part of the commuter railroad's capital program.

As part of its overall plans over the next ten years, Metra plans to purchase 367 new cars and rehab 455 more.

Pace

Pace plans to continue its extension of Wi-Fi throughout its suburban bus fleet.

Pace ADA Paratransit

In 2016, ADA Paratransit ridership is expected to grow by more than 5%.

RTA

Our agency budget was presented at an earlier meeting. However, it is scheduled to have an 8.5% decrease due to a reduction in our agency expenses for the 2016 budget. This allows us to allocate more funding to the Service Boards.

As an example of the work we do to benefit our riders, in 2015, we allocated funds for the installation of the automated real-time bus arrival information signs discussed in today's presentations. They are located at transfer locations throughout the City of Chicago.

Please feel free to join us for the RTA Board meeting on Thursday, December 17th when the RTA Board of Directors will officially vote on the regional transit budgets. Visit www.RTAChicago.org to learn more about board meetings or listen live as it happens!