How to achieve greater regional authority in Chicago area transit

As the fiscal cliff approaches and legislative discussions about funding and reform continue, one thing many agree on is the need for the regional authority to deliver a coordinated, efficient, and accountable transit system. A better funded and reformed system is one where the regional oversight agency can hold the region’s Service Boards accountable to deliver frequent, reliable service and incentivize cooperation and coordination across agencies, enhancing the existing network and unlocking more regional connections. An accountable system allows for local input on how best to serve the diverse communities of the six-county region.

Rider surveys consistently show that the frequency, reliability, and availability of service are their top priorities. A regional agency that is empowered to evaluate service quality throughout the year can use discretionary funding to ensure operating agencies deliver on planned improvements and expansion.

Ongoing oversight and accountability

Today, the RTA controls only a small portion of discretionary funding. The State’s chronic underfunding of transit operations has led to nearly all operating funds being distributed to the Service Boards via formula to maintain baseline levels of service. Any effort to strengthen regional authority must pair sustainable operating funding with reforms that provide the regional agency with more control over a larger pot of discretionary funding. The regional agency can then use these discretionary funds to hold operators accountable and incentivize coordination.

RTA’s Transforming Transit legislative proposal would empower the RTA to set service standards that operators must meet to receive additional operating funding. A strengthened RTA could evaluate service quality throughout the year and require operators to address rider issues as they are happening. If a gap exists in the transit network or an operator is not delivering planned service, the RTA could step in and redirect resources to ensure rider needs are being met.

Under a strengthened RTA, the executive director could bring issues to the RTA Board throughout the year related to service quality, fare policy, and capital planning – this oversight is not limited to the budget process at the end of the year as it is now.

The RTA’s current authority is largely limited to the approval of three statutorily required documents on set timelines: the five-year regional strategic plan, annual regional transit operating budget, and five-year transit capital program. If an operator is not delivering promised service or a gap in the transit network is identified in the middle of the year, service issues like this may persist until they can be dealt with as part of the annual budget process. Even then, the RTA Board could only vote to reject the budget in its entirety, putting the following year’s service at risk. Riders would benefit from a more agile regional agency that can address service issues as they arise.

Take action for a stronger regional transit system

Visit SaveTransitNow.org to show your support for a stronger regional transit system and sign a letter to your lawmakers urging them to support sustainable funding and reform.