HR0798 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0798 LRB102 27024 ECR 38314 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, As gas prices continue to rise, long-term solutions are needed to address the increase in travel expenses many Chicagoans are facing; and

WHEREAS, Over 25 percent of households in Chicago do not have a car; therefore, creating a network of public transportation options for all Chicagoans is of the utmost importance to get them where they need to go; and

WHEREAS, Making transit more affordable, safe, and convenient is a smart way to reduce our demands on foreign oil, which fuels war and dictators; and

WHEREAS, Improving public transit will lead to cleaner air and reduced congestion; and

WHEREAS, In January 2021, Metra launched a pilot program that improves transit services while lowering costs and, up to now, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has refused to participate in this program; and

WHEREAS, If the CTA were a full partner with Metra, this pilot program could have an even greater impact by allowing transfers to and from Metra to CTA for free or at reduced rates and by better syncing bus schedules with Metra; and

WHEREAS, This pilot program could enhance ridership by installing pop-up bus priority lanes and reconfiguring the timing on stop lights to make the bus service more attractive and welcoming to more riders; this would address both racial equity and improvement to Chicago's economy; and

WHEREAS, The CTA could further improve public transportation by reducing fares along key corridors during these peak inflationary and high gas prices; and

WHEREAS, In Boston, the top 10 highest ridership routes during the pandemic were identified, and the city increased the number of buses on these routes, with fares being either made free or cut in half; and

WHEREAS, Long term, Chicago also needs to accelerate the adoption and deployment of electric buses; together, CTA and Pace must plan now for the conversion of their fleets to electric, so money is not wasted buying two separate systems to charge and maintain these new buses; through these changes, Chicago could possess the cleanest transit system in the country; and

WHEREAS, The current high gas price crisis should be a moment for us to reflect on how Chicago can prioritize alternatives to driving by reducing our reliance on oil and directly address flaws within the public transit system; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to join the Metra pilot program to aid in reducing transfer costs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the CTA to adopt reduced fares along corridors with the most essential workers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the CTA.