Advocates talking to transit riders across Chicagoland about transforming our transit system
Chicagoland – With just six weeks left for Illinois lawmakers to act on the transit fiscal cliff that will result in a massive 40% cut to all public transit trains and bus service, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition hosted a Transit Day of Action on Wednesday to inform transit riders across Chicagoland about the looming crisis and urge them to take action in support of a $1.5 billion investment in transit and significant reforms to the system. The action came just two days after the RTA launched a $750,000 ad blitz to urge the Illinois General Assembly to come up with $1.5 billion in funding for public transit. While transit and environmental advocates agree that $1.5 billion is critical to fully fund transit, advocates and everyday transit riders alike know that critical reforms are also necessary.
“We hit the streets for a Transit Day of Action to reach transit riders – they’re the Illinoisans who have the most at stake amidst the transit funding and governance crisis,” said Amy Rynell, Executive Director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “Service cuts of this projected magnitude will impact people across Chicagoland deeply who are already dealing with inequitable service, unreliable and infrequent trains and buses, and confusing fares and schedules. The Metropolitan Mobility Authority (MMA) Act is the only solution on the table today that includes $1.5 billion in funding and reforms that riders deserve. Illinoisans deserve a world-class transit experience, and the MMA delivers just that.”
The MMA (SB5/HB1833) transforms public transportation in the Chicago region to deliver a more efficient, user-friendly, and sustainable transit system for millions of riders. This groundbreaking legislation unifies the CTA, Pace, Metra, and the RTA to deliver substantial benefits to everyday commuters and occasional riders alike while saving up to $250 million in duplicated efforts. The MMA also replaces a hodge-podge of apps, fares, and schedules to create one seamless system and fare.
“Funding alone cannot transform our broken transit system. The MMA includes critical solutions to address rider needs and ensure agency structures are functional long into the future so that we’re not just plugging a funding hole and keeping up the status quo,” said Dany Robles, Legislative Director of the Illinois Environmental Council. “In order to avoid service cuts that would have devastating consequences for the millions of people who depend on transit and increase traffic that would exacerbate air and climate pollution in the region, the Illinois General Assembly must ensure that any transit legislation passed this spring includes both funding and reforms.”
Forty volunteers with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition canvassed key transit stations and bus stops across Chicagoland in support of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (SB5/HB1833) on Wednesday.
“Northeastern Illinois’ transit system is facing an existential crisis, but we’ve got a plan to ensure we save public transit for generations to come,” said Kyle Lucas, Transit Day of Action volunteer and Executive Director of Better Streets Chicago. “Everyday Illinoisans are rolling up their sleeves to take action across the region over the next six weeks to communicate with our legislators about how important transit is to our communities. The days of ghost buses, missed transfers, and traffic congestion can be behind us if the Illinois General Assembly passes the MMA this spring.”
info@ilcleanjobs.org