In northeast Illinois, the regional transit system now has $30 billion of unmet high-priority projects, and more than a decade has passed since the State of Illinois last funded a capital bill.
Cragin Spring
2 min to read
In northeast Illinois, the regional transit system now has $30 billion of unmet high-priority projects, and more than a decade has passed since the State of Illinois last funded a capital bill.
Cragin Spring
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, Pace, and Amtrak are joining with other mass transit districts across Illinois for a Get on Board Day event on April 25 at Chicago’s Union Station. Part of a month-long awareness campaign starting today, the event will bring transportation agencies and advocates from across the state together to emphasize the need for adequate, consistent, long-term funding of Illinois public transit systems.
The campaign will encourage riders to contact state representatives and senators to urge their support for a capital bill that should specifically address years of chronic underinvestment in public transportation. The effort includes advertisements on billboards, at transit locations and on vehicles, and online. The ads direct riders and residents to GetonBoardIL.org, where they can easily send emails and tweets to the appropriate elected officials.
“Years of inadequate funding have resulted in transit service that is slower, more crowded, and prone to breakdowns, all of which negatively impact riders and our economy,” said Leanne Redden, RTA executive director.
In northeast Illinois, the regional transit system now has $30 billion of unmet high-priority projects, and more than a decade has passed since the State of Illinois last funded a capital bill. The RTA’s Regional Transit Strategic Plan, Invest in Transit, sets clear priorities for public transportation across Chicago and the region, calling for annual investment of $2 to $3 billion over the next decade.
The Illinois campaign is part of National Get on Board Day, sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, which encourages people to support public transportation by showcasing its benefits to communities and the economy. Each weekday in the U.S., 34 million people board public transportation.
The special episode features an exclusive interview with Mark Miller, president of Constellation Software Inc. and executive chairman of the Volaris Group, who reflects on the podcast's early vision and the importance of creating a platform where transit leaders can share ideas and learn from one another.
The CAD facility enables NFI to complete full domestic production of heavy-duty transit vehicles, including zero-emission buses, in Winnipeg for the first time in 15 years.
The findings provide clear evidence that sustained Federal investment in public transit and passenger rail delivers significant returns for workers, communities, taxpayers, and the U.S. economy, APTA officials said.
On a recent episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the CSA Group, to explore a bold initiative aimed at addressing those challenges: the development of a National Code for Transit and Passenger Rail Systems in Canada.
Over the next four years during the Spanberger Administration, DRPT will use the plan to prioritize funding for human service transportation projects and programs that reduce barriers, expand access, and promote equitable mobility, said department officials.
A new advisory group of current and former city leaders will collaborate on funding strategies, technology deployment, and best practices to modernize U.S. public transit systems.
The LIT Navigate Mentorship Program was launched as a structured, low-cost opportunity for active LIT members, focused on intentional growth, workforce development, mentorship, networking, and education.
Approved as part of WMATA’s Strategic Transformation Plan, the expanded program introduces new pricing and participation options that make it easier for colleges and universities to join and for more students, such as part-time, community college, and graduate students, to benefit from accessible transportation.
