Metra needs money to keep running
So ridership keeps going up on Metra and more and more suburban commuters are opting for trains rather than cars in this era of high gas prices and increasing road congestion.
In fact, Metra reported Friday that ridership reached a historic high in June when 7.3 million rides were provided -- a 9 percent increase over last year.
Yet that news was tempered by the fact that Metra also reported Friday that 22 deteriorating bridges still need replacement -- despite the fact they've been on a waiting list for nearly two decades.
Metra says the bridges remain safe because of modifications that have been made over the years and because they are inspected four times a year. But in a summer where a road bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, that's not as comforting as maybe it once could have been.
Why the delay? Those bridges, which are on the UP-North Line, await $60 million that Metra can't afford and the state Legislature hasn't found a way to fund. It's just one more example of the infrastructure needs of the state that have been held hostage by the political shenanigans in Springfield that resulted in this year's overtime budget session.
"I'm getting tired of it," a testy Metra Director Phil Pagano said. Indeed he should tire of it. We have tired of it as well.
We have supported increasing the regional sales tax a quarter-cent that would bring in more than $300 million. Without that money, Metra, CTA and Pace have had to increase fares and cut services. And, in this case, delay needed repairs.
Metra board member Jack Schaffer, who represents the collar counties, was skeptical Friday the bill would get approval.
Maybe that's because of what else was thrown in the bill. Also on Friday, it was reported by Daily Herald transportation writer Joseph Ryan, that the legislation that provides the needed tax hike also increases the salary of the Regional Transportation Authority chairman -- who oversees the board that oversees Metra, Pace and the CTA. It would go up to $50,000 from $25,000.
No, the chairman doesn't make a lot of money for overseeing one of the nation's largest transit systems. But this isn't Jim Reilly's only job or source of income. And with approval of the funding bill uncertain, it's bad timing on his part and the Legislature's, to include an increase with this package.
We agree with state Rep. Sid Mathias, a Buffalo Grove Republican, who said the salary increase doesn't belong in this plan. "I don't want anything to interfere with this bill."
It should be removed before it does just that. And the tax increase should be approved so the increasing numbers of people riding Metra trains can get some assurance that those trains will arrive safely.