If your Metra, Pace or CTA trip could be improved, a golden opportunity awaits.
Riders can voice concerns and offer suggestions in Naperville Friday when state senators hold a hearing on the future of public transit.
The Senate’s Transportation Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Friday at Naperville City Hall.
It’s the third in a series of Transportation Committee forums across the region this summer. The topic is “the state of transit and how it supports community quality of life.”
The meeting comes with a $730 million transit funding shortfall anticipated in 2026 when COVID-19 federal funding runs out. Ridership tanked during the pandemic and has not fully recovered.
Also looming is proposed legislation in the General Assembly to merge Metra, Pace, the CTA and Regional Transportation Authority.
State leaders want riders to share their opinions during the hearing.
“Our No. 1 priority is we need to make the case for public transit to the general public,” Transportation Committee Chair and state Sen. Ram Villivalam told the Daily Herald previously. “We need to make sure that we’re building a transit system for the year 2050 and not just plugging a hole.”
“We want to hear from folks as to their thoughts on both the current structure and also the new structure that was proposed. We want everyone to have a voice,” the Chicago Democrat said.
The legislation seeks to dissolve the boards of Metra, Pace, the CTA and RTA, and create a 19-member Metropolitan Mobility Authority board.
Proponents say the change would create efficiencies and improve service with products such as a universal fare. However, some suburban leaders have cautioned about losing representation with a mega-agency.
Meanwhile, bridging the revenue gap is another quagmire with potential solutions ranging from increasing gas taxes or tolls to raising fares.
The hearing will be held at 400 S. Eagle St. Naperville.
Additional forums will be Aug. 28 and Sept. 18 at other locations.