RTA could introduce universal pay system

SPRINGFIELD — Suburban users of public transportation could have easier transit connections in the future after the Illinois House approved a measure for Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority to implement a regional fare payment system by 2015.

The system would allow commuters to use either a credit card or prepaid RTA card to move from buses to trains by paying a transfer fee and fare.

Diane Palmer, director of communications for the Regional Transportation Authority, said other transit systems around the country have already implemented similar processes and it has been beneficial for commuters.

“There is a point where it is demand — we have to meet the demand of our customers,” Palmer said.

The proposal was approved by a 113-0 vote and now moves to the Senate.

The legislation would also require the transit agencies to have a bus and train tracker by July 1, 2012. The tracker would be a real-time web program that would allow commuters to see exactly where their train or bus was at every moment.

Metra could also add Wi-Fi by Jan. 1, 2012 if the agency is able to do so at no cost, while both Pace and CTA would study the potential for wireless Internet.

Rep. William Burns, a Chicago Democrat who sponsors the legislation, said he was able to get all the transit agencies on board with the plan by giving them until 2015 to update their technology.

“A lot of people take a bus to a Metra line and then get on another line,” Burns said. “So we want to make it easier for people, but also give Metra the time to get its technology up to speed and work with the other boards.”