Daley: transit body is ‘bureaucratic Frankenstein’

Former White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley is calling for a shake up of public transit in the Chicago metropolitan area after allegations of improper political influence over the Metra rail agency.

Daley is taking aim at the Regional Transportation Authority, which has financial oversight of northeastern Illinois’ three transit agencies, including Metra.

He says Thursday that the RTA has become a “bureaucratic Frankenstein,” achieving little for the $33 million it spends each year.

He says much of the RTA’s duties duplicate efforts of other federal and state agencies and that it should be eliminated. He says the savings could hold down fares and reverse service cuts.

Daley is exploring whether to challenge Gov. Pat Quinn in the Democratic primary next spring.

Quinn also wants to reform transit oversight.