In Chicago, new RTA leader calls for more public-private partnerships

John Gates Jr., a successful businessman named August 19 as the new chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority in the Chicago area, acknowledges he has a steep learning curve ahead of him about buses and trains, but he intends to use his financial expertise to bring more private-sector involvement into mass transit, the Chicago Tribune reports.

With a stint in the administration
of former Gov. James Thompson and the support of Mayor Richard Daley, Gates
said he hopes to overcome city-suburb factionalism and political partisanship
to run the RTA with the best interests of the region at heart.

"The whole thing has
got to work together or it’s not going to work at all," Gates said.

Gates, 57, was appointed by
the RTA board to replace Jim Reilly, who resigned in May to take over at the
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, or McPier. Gates had served as
McPier chairman.

Gates is chairman and CEO
of PortaeCo, an investment firm. Previously, Gates co-founded CenterPoint
Properties Trust and served there 22 years. CenterPoint developed three massive
intermodal freight facilities in Will and Ogle counties.

Gates says he is a great
believer in public-private partnerships. With taxpayer funds from Springfield
and Washington, D.C., becoming scarce, Gates urges tapping private-sector
capital and expertise.

"Capital is looking
for a home, and I think metropolitan Chicago would make a good one," Gates
said.

He pointed to Daley’s plan to
lure private investors to operate express trains between downtown Chicago and
O’Hare International Airport.

Historically, competition
between the CTA, Metra and Pace for funds and projects has been fierce. Gates
conceded he’ll face "hard choices."

RTA Executive Director
Steve Schlickman vacates the post in October, and Gates said finding a
replacement will be a top priority.

Having a professional
transportation background may not necessarily be the top qualification, Gates
said. He pointed to other skills such as leadership, management and financial
expertise.

"Obviously,
understanding how the system works and how politics work in Illinois … are huge
assets for any candidate," Gates said.