Chicago Transit Fare Increases Put On Hold As Transit Funding Package Passes
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has reversed its plans to raise fares on Chicago's public transportation system, including buses and trains run by the CTA, Metra, and Pace. The RTA had insisted that each of these agencies include a 10% fare increase in their budgets for next year, but lawmakers have passed a historic transit funding package that prohibits fare hikes for the first year after the new law goes into effect on June 1.
The bill was signed by Governor JB Pritzker, who plans to sign it immediately. The transit funding package includes a $1.5 billion spending plan, which has been hailed as a major victory for transit advocates in Illinois.
The RTA had argued that fare hikes were necessary to address "inflationary cost growth," but lawmakers have pushed back against this argument. State Senator Ram Villivalam and state Representative Eva-Dina Delgado have both called on the RTA to leave fares alone until the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) is in place.
The CTA had been planning a 25-cent fare increase, while Metra and Pace were set to raise their fares by 10% to 15%. The delay means that transit riders will not see any fare hikes next year, at least not yet. However, it also leaves the door open for potential future increases.
The RTA has announced that it plans to hold a special board meeting on Thursday to discuss the transit funding package and its implications for public transportation in Chicago. For now, however, riders can expect no service cuts or fare hikes pending RTA Board action.
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has reversed its plans to raise fares on Chicago's public transportation system, including buses and trains run by the CTA, Metra, and Pace. The RTA had insisted that each of these agencies include a 10% fare increase in their budgets for next year, but lawmakers have passed a historic transit funding package that prohibits fare hikes for the first year after the new law goes into effect on June 1.
The bill was signed by Governor JB Pritzker, who plans to sign it immediately. The transit funding package includes a $1.5 billion spending plan, which has been hailed as a major victory for transit advocates in Illinois.
The RTA had argued that fare hikes were necessary to address "inflationary cost growth," but lawmakers have pushed back against this argument. State Senator Ram Villivalam and state Representative Eva-Dina Delgado have both called on the RTA to leave fares alone until the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) is in place.
The CTA had been planning a 25-cent fare increase, while Metra and Pace were set to raise their fares by 10% to 15%. The delay means that transit riders will not see any fare hikes next year, at least not yet. However, it also leaves the door open for potential future increases.
The RTA has announced that it plans to hold a special board meeting on Thursday to discuss the transit funding package and its implications for public transportation in Chicago. For now, however, riders can expect no service cuts or fare hikes pending RTA Board action.
just read about the change in chicago's transit fares... i think it's awesome that lawmakers stepped in to save people some cash 
. you know how important public transportation is, especially for low-income families & commuters 
. no need to stress about fare hikes next year... but also gotta wonder if they'll revisit this decision later 
. hope the new transit funding package will make a real difference in getting more ppl on board (literally 
) with sustainable transport options 
This is a great example of how collective effort and advocacy can lead to positive change! The fact that lawmakers and politicians are willing to put aside their differences and work together towards a common goal, like improving public transportation, shows that even the smallest voices can make a big impact 
. It's also a reminder that we should always prioritize the needs of our communities over profits and personal interests 
. And let's not forget, this is just the beginning - the real work starts now to ensure that the newly formed NITA lives up to its promise 
.
I'm literally freaking out rn! No fare hike for next year?! That's amazing news for all my friends who rely on the CTA and Metra to get around Chicago... I mean, I know some people were worried about the cost growth, but i think it's better to just give everyone a break for now 
The fact that the new transit funding package is such a major win for transit advocates in IL is like, totally awesome 
Can't wait to see what other good stuff comes out of this... and btw, has anyone else thought about how this might affect the number of people who can afford public transportation? 
just when i thought things couldn't get better... chicago's got some sense! 
the way they just punted on that fare increase is a breath of fresh air. all that money could've been used for actual improvements to public transportation instead of just raising fares. now we can look forward to seeing some real investment in infrastructure 
I'M SO GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE TRANSIT FUNDING PACKAGE PASSED!!! IT'S A HUGE WIN FOR CHICAGOAN'S WHO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION DAILY! 
A 10% FARE INCREASE WOULD'VE BEEN A STRUGGLE FOR MANY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE ON A BUDGET. I THINK IT'S AMAZING THAT LAWMAKERS STOOD UP TO THE RTA AND SAVED US FROM THOSE HIKES FOR NOW! 
, now let's hope they keep that momentum going 
No fare hike for us in ChiTown! 
. Let's hope this new law brings in some positive changes for our city's transit system 
on the other hand, we can't have our public transport totally broke either, that's like asking ppl to drive everywhere which is just not sustainable 
.
! I was really worried about those massive fare hikes on our buses & trains... it's so great that lawmakers finally stood up for transit riders and blocked the increases 
. This means we can start seeing some real changes happen soon. No service cuts or fare hikes at least for now 
it's kinda confusing to navigate. btw, thats a pretty sweet $1.5 billion package tho 
. 1.5 billion is a lotta cash, hope they make the most of it 