The Regional Transportation Authority, which includes the CTA, Pace and Metra, is facing a $770 million budget gap that could force the agencies to cut up to 40% of service if state lawmakers do not address the issue this spring. Here are three things to know about the budget gap and how it may affect people who rely on public transportation.
TRANSCRIPT:
0:06: Welcome to the Three C’s with the Columbia Chronicle, your go to source for the top 3 things every Columbia College student, faculty and staff member needs to know.
0:17: We’re here to bring you credible information about our campus and provide the clarity you need on the issues that matter most.
0:24: I’m your host, Sydney Richardson.
0:28: State lawmakers are struggling to address a more than $700 million budget gap in the Regional Transportation Authority, which includes the CTA, Pace and Metra.
0:40: If the gap isn’t addressed this spring, there could be significant cuts to service after federal COVID-19 grants run out next year.
0:50: Here are three things to know about the budget gap and how it may affect people who rely on public transportation.
0:58: If the Illinois General Assembly fails to implement a solution to the budget gap, about 1 in 5 Chicagoans could lose access to public transportation in 2026, according to the RTA.
1:10: If the state doesn’t intervene with funding, the budget gap will force the transportation agencies to cut up to 40% of service in the Chicago land area.
1:20: The CTA would be forced to shut down at least 4 of its 8 train lines and nearly 60% of bus routes.
1:28: The frequency of the remaining lines would also be significantly reduced.
1:33: Suburban Pace bus service would be eliminated on the weekends and reduced during the weekdays.
1:38: Metra would eliminate commuter train service in the early mornings and late nights and reduce service during the weekdays and on weekends.
1:49: Additionally, cuts to service could also be disastrous to the state and local economy.
1:54: The RTA says around 3000 transit workers could be laid off.
1:59: Traffic congestion and job loss due to the lack of public transportation could cost the region $2.6 billion each year in GDP.
2:08: Reduced ridership would also result in lost revenue, leading to further budget problems in the coming years.
2:18: There are some possible immediate solutions to the budget gap, but they would be challenging to implement.
2:23: One would be to shift some of the federal funding for highways towards public transportation systems.
2:29: Reallocating money from the state budget is another option.
2:33: Lawmakers have been focused on long-term solutions that do not necessarily help the immediate issue.
2:39: Lawmakers are considering taxing individuals on the number of miles driven rather than the amount of gas used.
2:46: Another long-term solution could be a progressive income tax, which has been a goal in Governor JB Pritzker’s administration.
2:54: A progressive tax would raise taxes for individuals with higher incomes, rather than the current flat rate.
3:02: Listen to our other stories at ColumbiaChronicle.com and sign up for our newsletter at ColumbiaChronicle.com/newsletter.
3:11: Be sure to also check out Chronversations for weekly campus highlights.
3:15: I’m Sydney Richardson.
3:17: Thanks for listening.
Copy edited by Matt Brady
