Chicago-area transit agencies face a daunting budget gap if lawmakers fail to agree on a funding bill by the end of the current legislative session.
A last-minute amendment to an Illinois state bill transformed a proposal to legalize the ‘Idaho stop’ into an 804-page transit omnibus bill, reports Austin Busch for Streetsblog Chicago.
“The new SB2111 introduces the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) as a replacement for the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), and makes several notable changes to the status quo,” Busch explains. The changes include a lower farebox recovery ratio, a new cross-jurisdictional law enforcement task force and safety-specific staff, a Transit Integration Policy Development Committee aimed at integrating transit and highway planning, requirements to add sidewalks to transit stops during roadway projects, and more.
The bill also includes language that supports transit-oriented development (TOD), requires fare capping, and introduces service standards and performance measures for funding distribution. “Additionally, the proposed bill completely refashions how the board of the regional oversight agency is composed as well as each of the three transit agency boards.”
If the legislature doesn’t pass a transit bill by the end of the current session on May 31, transit agencies will have to plan their 2026 budget without assurance of additional funding.
FULL STORY: It’s the final countdown: A new transit bill materialized this morning
Chicago Commute Times Could Double Without New Transit Funding
A dire warning from regional transit leaders paints a bleak scenario for traffic if agencies are forced to cut service.
Chicago Transit: $770M Shortfall, 40% Service Cuts Loom
Despite dire warnings from transit officials, the Illinois General Assembly ended its legislative session without a solution.
Judge Extends NYC Congestion Pricing Through at Least June 9
A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s effort to kill the program, which remains in limbo as a lawsuit filed by the MTA moves forward.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
Supreme Court Ruling in Pipeline Case Guts Federal Environmental Law
The decision limits the scope of a federal law that mandates extensive environmental impact reviews of energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
Texas State Bills to Defund Dallas Transit Die
DART would have seen a 30% service cut, $230M annual losses had the bills survived.
Bikeshare for the Win: Team Pedals to London Cricket Match, Beats Rivals Stuck in Traffic
While their opponents sat in gridlock, England's national cricket team hopped Lime bikes, riding to a 3-0 victory.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)