Transit riders decry potential cuts to CTA, Metra, Pace at RTA board meeting

CHICAGO (WGN) — A majority of commenters at Thursday’s meeting of the Regional Transportation Authority board expressed frustration by potential service cuts outlined in a “doomsday” scenario report released last week.

The RTA, which coordinates the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace, is facing a $770 million fiscal cliff next year when federal COVID relief funds run out. The transit agencies want Springfield to give them a $1.5 billion investment.

“I and every Chicago professional I know rely on the CTA and Metra to commute across the city several times a day,” a submitted comment read by the board’s secretary said. “The cuts of service, including bus lines, will be detrimental to our city and our citizens.”

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In its report, the RTA warned of deep cuts if the state does not act, including the closure or service reduction to more than 50 CTA stations, cuts to early morning and late evening service on most Metra lines, and the end of suburban Pace bus service on weekends. One in five city workers could lose access to transit, nearly 3,000 transit jobs would be lost, and traffic congestion would increase, the agency said.

Transit riders who spoke or submitted comments argued they need more service options, not fewer.

“Not funding Pace or CTA or Metra would be a detrimental issue to not only my quality of life, but to others in my community who rely on Pace to get to places on a regular basis,” a man named Steven said.

RTA officials said they have a plan to find $100 million between costs saving measures and new revenue, but added that the state needs to come through with funding before the end of the legislative session in May.