Lawmakers propose merger of CTA, Metra, and Pace

A new proposal introduced by Illinois Lawmakers could see the CTA, Metra, and Pace transit systems combined into a single transit agency. The legislative push follows mounting public outcry over the CTA’s failure to provide consistent and safe service, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The proposed combined transit organization would be called the Metropolitan Mobility Authority (MMA), according to WTTW Chicago. The MMA would replace the existing CTA, Metra, and Pace systems, as well as the Regional Transit Authority, the government agency that oversees the three systems.

Government research group the Civic Federation released a report on April 25, outlining the benefits of combining the three mass transit organizations ahead of an impending fiscal cliff in 2026. According to the report, the transit systems are facing a $730 million deficit beginning in 2026 as pandemic-era funds run out.

The Civic Federation notes that the $730 million deficit makes up 20% of the transit system’s required operating budget, attributing the massive funding shortage to lower ridership figures brought on by the pandemic.

According to the report, ridership across the transit systems has failed to return to pre-pandemic levels. Ridership is expected to reach 349 million in 2024, only 62% of the previous ridership figure of 562 million in 2019.

The Civic Federation’s report notes that additional funding would fail to address the full scope of the problems and that broad internal restructuring is necessary to ensure the future of public transit in the Chicago area.

“The current state of mass transit in Illinois impels a change to the governance structure that oversees the delivery of public transit services in the Chicago metropolitan region to improve service delivery and efficiency”, the Civic Federation noted in its report.

“The Civic Federation calls on Governor Pritzker, the Illinois General Assembly, the RTA, and the service boards to take this once-in-a-generation opportunity to fully restructure its major mass regional transit system.”

Officials from the Regional Transit Authority told Block Club Chicago that while the organization remains open to the idea of restructuring the transit systems to improve efficiency across the board, an increase in funding remains its greatest priority.

On April 19, Gov. Pritzker addressed the ongoing issues at a conference in Springfield, voicing his support for restructuring and calling for an “evolution of leadership” within the CTA.

According to WTTW, the proposal could be brought before state legislators as early as spring, or later this year.