Illinois offers comprehensive agreement for CTA, paratransit
Written by jrood
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said an agreement has been reached with the Chicago region's major transit agencies that will prevent fare increases for the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace paratransit services in 2010 and 2011. The agreement was made between the State of Illinois, the Regional Transportation Authority, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace.
"Access to affordable
and reliable public transportation is imperative for Chicago-area transit
riders," said Governor Quinn. "Today’s comprehensive agreement will
stabilize public transit and will hold the line against any CTA fare increases
for the next two years."
Under the agreement, the
RTA will issue bonds for capital projects in 2010 and 2011, allowing federal
dollars earmarked for capital projects to be shifted to CTA’s operational
budget that will help the agency deal with its financial shortfall.
The RTA will issue general
obligation bonds to provide the CTA with $83 million in each 2010 and in 2011
for capital projects. The Illinois Department of Transportation will enter into
a multi-year agreement with the RTA to cover the cost of debt service for the
first two years of the bonds. Any subsequent debt service assistance will be
evaluated on an annual basis. In return, the CTA has agreed to cancel proposed
fare hikes for 2010 and 2011.
In addition to freezing CTA
and paratransit fare increases for the next two years, the State is also in
conversations with CTA aimed at decreasing the number of anticipated service
reductions, ensuring that riders will continue to have reliable public
transportation options.
The State of Illinois will
continue to work collaboratively with the agencies to identify long-term
solutions.
