Grasse-Backed Transit Reform Law Aims to Make Buses and Trains Safe, Efficient and Reliable

CHICAGO – Buses and trains will be safer, more reliable and better managed under a major transit reform package passed by state Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights.

“Whether you’re a Metra commuter or you rely on PACE’s RAP and TAP programs to meet your daily needs, this landmark measure ensures that your ride is reliable and safe,” Grasse said. “This legislation also makes it easier for housing developers to build housing at more affordable prices near transit lines, making an Illinois we can all afford.”

Across our state, public transit takes people to and from work and connects people, businesses and communities on more than 400 million rides every year. But that system has faced major challenges; fragmented governance, uneven investment and post-COVID ridership slumps have left transit struggling with unreliable service and a looming fiscal cliff that’s threatening to derail it all.

Grasse worked to save and improve transit by passing Senate Bill 2111, a transformational package of reforms that brings Pace, Metra and the CTA together into one modern, regional system. The new Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) is a major step toward a transit system that strengthens the region’s mobility while protecting taxpayers and offering an affordable, world-class experience for riders and workers.

Grasse’s reforms mean:

• More equal & efficient administration: NITA's new governance structure will give suburban and rural communities a fairer share of representation in Northern Illinois transportation. It will operate with new internal and independent auditors and.will be required to maintain a reserve fund to prevent future bailouts.
• Reliable, modern service: NITA will bring uniformity to fares and scheduling to better meet the needs of riders—whether on buses or trains, in the city and the suburbs.
• A safer experience for riders and workers: A multi-jurisdictional law enforcement team will step up enforcement right away. NITA will deploy ambassadors across the system to assist people experiencing mental health crises. A permanent office of safety will lead long-term planning to keep riders and workers safe.

The legislation also creates the People Over Parking Act, which eliminates minimum parking requirements for new developments near transit hubs and corridors. By removing these restrictions near transit, developers are granted more flexibility in designing projects at lower costs to residents.

Senate Bill 2111 was signed into law Tuesday.