Event Recap: Saving Public Transit in Chicagoland
This webinar explored the state of public transit in Northeast Illinois and focused on the upcoming funding cliff, its potential impacts on service and reliability, and the solutions to fix the system in Springfield’s next legislative session. State Senator Ram Villivalam, MPC’s Audrey Wennink, and Kevin Brubaker, Deputy Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center on what we can do to build a robust, safe, and reliable transit system throughout Northeast Illinois.
Key Takeaways
Climate Impacts
Public transit plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector. By supporting dense, walkable communities, it helps decrease reliance on cars and lowers overall emissions. On average, taking the CTA produces 60% less carbon pollution than driving a personal vehicle.
Equity Benefits
High quality transit service that is reliable, frequent, and operates throughout the day is key to supporting communities where many residents rely on transit. More than one quarter of Chicago households have no cars. Many households throughout the region have one car that is shared by multiple people.
Funding & Service Needs
With a looming financial crisis, advocates are pushing for both increased funding and governance reforms to improve service for riders. An estimated $1.5 billion in additional annual operating funding is needed to enhance service frequency, making transit more reliable and competitive.
Governance Matters
The fragmented oversight of Chicagoland’s transit agencies has created inefficiencies and coordination issues. Four independent reports, including the PART Report (2023), recommend major governance changes.
Metropolitan Mobility Act (MMA)
Proposed legislation aims to unify transit agencies, improve board appointment processes, integrate fares and service planning, and ensure a rider-first approach.
Discussion Highlights
Why is Governance Reform Essential?
Currently, CTA, Metra, and Pace operate under separate governance structures without a unified strategic planning process. Senator Villivalam emphasized that no other major metro region has such a fragmented system, which reduces accountability and affects the service delivered. Audrey Wennink noted that transit governance has remained largely unchanged since 1983, despite significant shifts in regional mobility needs.
The Role of Funding & Equity
While CTA has the highest ridership, equitable funding distribution is crucial for supporting suburban and paratransit services. Audrey stressed that future funding should be allocated based on service needs—such as population density and income levels—rather than fixed formulas that don’t reflect current realities.
Safety & Rider Experience
Concerns over safety were a key topic, with both speakers acknowledging the need for visible personnel and a systemwide approach. The MMA proposes implementing transit ambassadors to improve the rider experience. Senator Villivalam also highlighted that while crime data shows improvement, public perception remains a challenge. A regional approach, incorporating social services, could address these issues more effectively.
Q&A Session
Why does Chicagoland have such a fragmented transit system?
Audrey Wennink: The current governance model is a historical relic. The state stepped in to save bankrupt private transit providers, which led to the formation of separate agencies. However, regional mobility needs have changed significantly, and the system has not evolved to reflect that.
Senator Villivalam: The governance structure was created in 1983 under different circumstances. Today, CTA serves 35 suburbs, Metra has 80 stations within Chicago, and Pace provides paratransit across the entire region. On paper, the agencies appear integrated, but in reality, we lack a unified fare system, procurement process, and service coordination. The goal now is to create a seamless experience for riders.
If the RTA already has the authority to lead change, why hasn’t it happened?
Senator Villivalam: The RTA has the legal authority, but change has not materialized due to overlapping responsibilities and competing priorities among agencies. Funding reform is also tied to governance reform—legislators will not approve new funding without clear structural improvements.
CTA argues that the real issue is funding, not governance. Is that accurate?
Audrey Wennink: Funding is certainly critical, but governance affects how funding is distributed and how decisions are made. All agencies want a larger share of resources, but if we focus only on existing formulas, we won’t solve the underlying issues. A regional service plan should guide funding decisions based on where transit is needed most, rather than outdated political formulas.
How do we address growing safety concerns on transit?
Audrey Wennink: Safety is a top priority, and the MMA includes transit ambassadors as a required component of system improvements. Increasing ridership also naturally improves safety, and shorter wait times mean fewer riders are alone on platforms or buses.
Senator Villivalam: We must acknowledge people’s concerns, even though crime trends are improving. Agencies have already spent $100 million on various safety initiatives, but the impact has been limited. A centralized, regional approach—incorporating social services—could be more effective, particularly in addressing homelessness and nonviolent incidents.
What lessons did you take from your recent fact-finding trip to Munich and Berlin?
Senator Villivalam: One of the most striking takeaways in Germany was how well-integrated the entire system was. Riders didn’t have to think about which agency operated which service—it all functioned as one seamless network.
Audrey Wennink: The governance model also stood out. Instead of transit agencies competing against each other, the collaborative structure is designed to help transit compete with cars. This approach leads to better service coordination and a more user-friendly experience. While major improvements take time, the policy choices we make today can lay the foundation for a better transit system in the future.