Illinois’ Transit Reform
A bill to improve the transportation systems has just been signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently. The HB 1324 bill was first passed by General Assembly on July 28, 2023. This legislation was led by Rep. Kam Bucker through the House of Representatives and Sen. Ram Villivalam through the Senate.
HB 1324 looks to cut down on public transportation emissions, also provide qualifying Illinois citizens with free or reduced fares, and call for transit agencies to give reports of their reduced fare programs. As well as push back the 50% fare box ratio date, originally implemented to improve pre-pandemic transit use.
Also, Amtrak is seeking federal funding to help modernize Chicago’s transit infrastructure. Through upgrading Chicago’s Union Station as well as creating more efficient routes into the station. The Chicago Hub Improvement Program has been launched by Pritzker this year and is a series of projects that will invest $1.1 billion into improvements. Some of these include:
- Union Station safety improvements.
- Cross-town Metra services linking — McCormick Place, Hyde Park, Beverly, and other communities to O’Hare.
- More reliable trains with more daily departures.
This was a necessary improvement due to Chicago Union Station providing direct services to 3775 cities and towns in 36 states. More than 15 million passengers board Amtrak and Metra trains at the station. Making the station an asset for the country’s transportation systems. These planned improvements can exponentially grow the efficiency of the station, with the Federal Railroad Administration having prospects of high-speed trains leaving every hour from Chicago Union Station.
Gov. Pritzker stated, “The Chicago Hub Improvement Program is an opportunity for new federal infrastructure funding to catalyze the rail system this region deserves.”
CTA RTA Reforms
The new Illinois transit bill looks to cut down emissions by requiring transportation agencies to purchase zero-emission buses by the year 2026. This, along with 29 million in grant funds in 2022 from the Federal Transit Administration towards the CTA, will work to lower local transit environmental effects.
In addition to environmental improvements, many qualifying citizens will receive free or reduced year-round fares. This includes free fare for domestic violence victims and any of their dependents through state agencies that partner with The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence.
As well as veterans, U.S. returning residents, and students involved in programs. For the local Chicago youth, PACE and the CTA are required to offer internship programs and opportunities. Including also providing Chicago youth involved in “One Summer Chicago” with reduced fares. “One Summer Chicago” is a local summer program that offers Chicago young adults from 16 to 24 employment opportunities.
Furthermore, to ensure the implementation of reduced and free fares, Illinois will require the agencies to give reports. Also helping agencies who have struggled to build transit use since the pandemic by pushing back the 50% farebox recovery ratio to 2025. A 50% farebox recovery ratio requires agencies to bring in enough revenue to cover 50% of regional daily transit expenses.
Union Station Reforms
The Union Station improvements include upgrading the platforms and the foyer for the passengers and reactivating tracks that were originally built for the Old Post Office. This will provide further capacity for Amtrak as well as Metra.
As well as an upgraded ventilation system. Union Station will also receive a new connection to the St. Charles Air Line bridge and a new track east of the bridge. Another element of the program is set to restore 16 miles of Amtrak-owned tracks in southwest Michigan, which is predicted to cut travel time between Chicago and Detroit by 30 minutes.
These projects and others similar have received support from many Illinois lawmakers. Due to the improvements in safety, efficiency, and financial surplus, they are anticipated to bring.
Written By AriAnna Rathers
Sources:
NBC Chicago: Illinois transit bill includes reduced fares, requires zero-emission buses
High-Speed Rail Alliance: Chicago Hub Improvement Program
Transit Chicago: Chicago Hub Improvement Program
Illinois Senate Democrats: Simmons celebrates signage of comprehensive public transit bill
Mass Transit: Illinois Gov. Pritzker launches Chicago Hub Improvement Program
Featured and Top Image: Courtesy of David Wilson’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image: Courtesy of Jim Bauer’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
