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

CHICAGO – Buses and trains will be safer, more reliable, and more efficiently managed under a major transit reform package law passed by Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago.

“Much of our city relies on the Chicago Transit Authority to carry out their daily activities,” Harper said. “Those different lines are more than just colors on a map. For many Chicagoans, they are a hub that connects people to some of the most important parts of their lives, including doctor’s appointments, work, grocery shopping, and school. That is why we knew it was essential to develop a meaningful solution to make our transportation system more reliable than ever before.”

Across our state, public transit takes people to work, takes people home, and connects people, businesses, and communities more than 400 million times 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.

Harper 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 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.

Harper’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—whether 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.

House Bill 2111 was signed into law Tuesday.