Transit Briefs: CTA/Metra/Pace/RTA, VIA Rail, WMATA

Illinois State Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) have introduced the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act that proposes combining RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace into a new Chicagoland entity and providing it with an annual boost of $1.5 billion, according to a WGN9 report on April 29. (CTA Photograph Courtesy of FTA)

Two Illinois state legislators propose merging the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra commuter rail and Pace suburban bus in Chicago. Also, VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA Rail) adds service between Ottawa and Toronto; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) improves faregate display-screen messaging.

RTA / CTA / Metra / Pace

Illinois State Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) have introduced the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act that proposes combining RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace into a new Chicagoland entity and providing it with a $1.5 billion annual boost, according to a WGN9 report on April 29.

The move “aims to streamline services and reduce the competition for funding,” as the agencies face a $730 million budget gap once COVID funding expires by 2026, and it follows last year’s Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning report that recommended the consolidation and other reforms, the media outlet said.

“Governance of the new body would be in the form of nearly 20 voting members, down from the nearly 50 split between the current agencies,” WGN9 reported. “Three members would be appointed by the governor. The mayor of Chicago and president of the Cook County Board would appoint five each. One member would be appointed by each of the county executives of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. A chair would be chosen from the members but would not be someone from the group.

“Another six non-voting members would join the board: the secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation, the chair of the Illinois Tollway, an organized labor representative chosen by the governor, the chair of the agency’s citizen advisory board and a representative each for the business and disabled communities, chosen by the board.”

VIA Rail

As of May 27, VIA Rail will introduce several new departures for passenger rail service between Ottawa and Toronto. The new Train 641 early-morning frequency will be launched Monday to Thursday between Ottawa and Toronto, with stops in Kingston, Belleville, Cobourg and Port Hope, for riders wishing to arrive in Toronto before 9 a.m. Train 644, currently offering three departures per week (Friday to Sunday) between Toronto and Ottawa, will be offered every day to provide more midday travel options and flexibility.

“In recent months, stakeholders and frequent passengers from Eastern Ontario have emphasized the significance of early-morning VIA Rail services for their communities, and we took great care to listen and act on this feedback,” said Mario Péloquin, President and CEO of VIA Rail.

VIA Rail reported that it will monitor the public response and implement adjustments as necessary, based on ridership and actual use.

WMATA

Fewer WMATA riders will need to “see a station manager” when they get an error message while trying to tap in or out of a Metrorail station faregate, WMATA reported April 29. The transit agency has begun installing upgraded software that provides new messages on the faregate display screen if riders’ SmarTrip® card is expired, invalid or deactivated. “Customers will then be able to address the issues quickly and independently by buying a new card through a mobile wallet—or at the fare vending machine—and transfer any value, if needed,” according to WMATA.

The agency said it is also fixing another issue that occurs when the fare system does not record the SmarTrip card tapping both on entry and exit during a customer trip, leading to a “See Station Manager” error. As part of improvement work, faregates will automatically open and charge either the regular fare or reduced fare if a rider is using one of WMATA’s reduced fare programs, according to the agency. The display screen will show the charge for the trip and the current SmarTrip balance.

“Currently, when a customer’s SmarTrip card triggers an error at the faregate, the station manager must intervene, check the fare card to determine the issue, and help the customer through the faregate,” WMATA reported. “This happens more than 4,000 times a day.”

These fare modernization efforts are part of WMATA’s six-year, $12.4 billion Capital Improvement Program.

“We are giving our customers more information so they can take independent action and have a more seamless journey,” WMATA Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Experience and Engagement Officer Sarah Meyer said. “Station managers will still be available to assist with customer questions on SmarTrip cards as well as provide guidance on fares, wayfinding, and address customer emergencies.”