Andrade-Backed Transit Reform Law Aims to Make Buses and Trains Safer, Efficient, and Reliable

CHICAGO – A major package of public transit reforms championed by state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, was signed into law earlier today, laying the foundation for an equitable, safe and reliable regional transit system that elevates the rider experience.

“Everyone across our Northwest Side community depends on reliable, affordable public transportation to live their lives, but critical routes like the Blue Line and Irving Park 80 bus were in danger of service cuts and eliminations,” Andrade said. “Our reforms make sure that the system hardworking people pay into truly serves them and puts the rider experience first. Not only do these reforms lay the groundwork for a people-oriented transit network, but it allows us to dream even bigger and continue to improve equity, keep people safe and get them where they need to go faster and more efficiently.”

Across our state, public transit takes people to and from work, connecting 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 losses have left transit struggling with unreliable service, delayed trains, canceled routes and a looming fiscal cliff that’s threatening to derail it all.

Andrade worked to save and improve transit by passing Senate Bill 2111, a transformational package of reforms that brings Pace, CTA and Metra together into one modern, efficient system. The creation of the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) is a major step toward a transit system that gets people where they need to go affordably, protects taxpayers, and offers a better experience for riders and workers.

Andrade’s reforms mean:

• More efficient administration: NITA will operate with new internal and independent auditors to crack down on waste, fraud and abuse in transit. It will be required to maintain a reserve fund to prevent future bailouts.
• Reliable, modern service: NITA will bring uniformity to fares and schedules to better meet the needs of riders—both on buses or trains, whether in the city or the suburbs.
• A safer experience for riders and workers: A multijurisdictional law enforcement team will step up enforcement right away. NITA will deploy ambassadors across the system to assist people experiencing mental health crises, and a permanent office of safety will lead long-term planning to keep riders and workers safe.

Senate Bill 2111 was signed into law earlier today.