From the Metropolitan Planning Council:
I’m writing to you with a request for action TODAY to improve our transit system. Your voice is critical in ensuring our region has the service it needs to maintain its vibrant economy, meet climate objectives, and advance equity.
As you may know, our regional transit system faces a financial cliff that threatens service cuts of up to 40%. Those service cuts would dramatically impact the service frequency, rider experience, and cost of transit for riders. While this reality is alarming, this financial crisis is an opportunity to reform and improve the system at large.
Over the last year, MPC has been leading a legislative effort with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC), a broad coalition of environmental advocates, community-based organizations, and civic organizations. MPC and our partners support passing the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (MMA). The MMA proposes the creation of a new regional transit agency that unifies the existing transit agencies in the Chicago region (RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace). We believe that the MMA will improve service coordination, enhance affordability, and increase confidence in the transit system, which will drive increased operations funding that will enable frequent, reliable service.
The MMA will be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee tomorrow, March 11 at 9am. Please take action TODAY to submit a witness slip in support of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act prior to the committee meeting. Follow the instructions below. It takes 2-3 minutes.
- Click this link
- Fill out your information
- In Section III, select “SB5” in the dropdown menu. Note that it’s listed twice, and you can slip in support of both listings, but it’s not necessary to do so.
- Mark yourself as a “proponent”
- In section IV, click “record of appearance only”
- Submit, and then ask 3 friends to do the same!
Our region’s transit system connects residents to schools, jobs, medical offices, grocery stores, parks, and cultural institutions. Today, we need you to take action to strengthen our transit system for the future.
With gratitude,
Dan Lurie
President & CEO
Metropolitan Planning Council
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What a surprise.
