Letters to the Editors - Cook County
Transit must be funded this year
Suburban residents are right to demand their fair share from any new transit funding approved by the General Assembly. New funds dedicated to the region's transit network must be allocated in a fair and equitable manner and, moving forward, we must ensure that the region shares equally in the benefits and burdens of new transit revenues.
The funding and reform proposal being developed by the Regional Transit Authority implements important changes in how the agency operates, and ensures funds are not shifted from one part of the region to another. It is a comprehensive, long-term proposal to improve our shared transit network.
Increasing suburb-to-suburb travel options and reverse commute routes are essential to the region's economy. Identifying funds for current transit operations, as well as finding capital funds to expand service, like building Metra's STAR line, are critical. Failing to find these funds this year would impose severe consequences throughout northeastern Illinois.
Pace has already announced the elimination of 23 bus routes, all weekend and night service and all Metra feeder routes, among other steps. Metra will defer $60 million in needed capital and maintenance to fund operations in 2007, and will be forced to cut service and raise fares in 2008.
Failing to fund the RTA strategic plan will result in over 165,000 tons of new pollution each year, over $1.5 billion in higher transportation costs for the entire region., and nearly 100 million more hours stuck in traffic for everyone. You will be negatively affected by inadequate transit funding whether or not you use it.
The RTA, Metra, Pace and the CTA have been hard at work developing a proposal to raise revenue, distribute it fairly, and improve our regional transit network. Their work deserves our support and input. Suburban communities have been involved for over a year, communicating our priorities and working to build support for these needed investments.
We urge Gov. Blagojevich and the legislative leaders to approve a transit funding program this year. Our economy, our environment and our quality of life depend on it.
Al Larson
Village President
Schaumburg
State must invest in transportation
Like cash-strapped parents faced with finding new income sources or trimming household spending to pay college tuition for their children, our state lawmakers face tough choices over footing the bill for Illinois' future transportation needs.
The needs are many. Congestion is on the rise. The Federal Highway Administration expects vehicle miles of travel to increase by another 42 percent between 2003 and 2020, while new highway lanes will only increase by 3 percent. The costs for maintaining this transportation system are far outstripping revenue, and Illinois' roads and bridges are in desperate need of repair.
We're on a collision course. In Illinois we have the potent combination of a growing population, strong economy, increased congestion, overdue transportation system maintenance, but a reluctance to boost transportation investment dollars.
As the nation's oldest and largest organization dedicated to the motoring public, we urge our state government to invest in Illinois' roads, bridges, transit systems, railways and airports.
Transportation is the backbone of our economy; it's now up to our state government to ensure we have the system needed to maintain economic viability and our lifestyle.
Brad Roeber
Regional President
AAA Chicago
Aurora