If passed, the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act, filed with the Illinois House of Representatives last April, would merge the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter trains and Pace suburban buses into one entity.
Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins is all for the proposal. He met with proponents of the act last month to share how it could provide a chance to improve safety on public transportation – and change local perception about it.
“This is an opportunity to rebrand and to enhance our safety mechanisms,” said Hoskins, who added that he frequently hears from his constituents about how they don’t feel safe riding the CTA in and around Forest Park.
Hoskins mentioned the attempted murder that occurred at the Forest Park Blue Line station Jan. 29. And last Labor Day, four people were found shot and killed at the end of the Blue Line.
Today, the Regional Transportation Authority oversees finances and planning for CTA, Metra and Pace. If the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act is passed, it would create a new agency to oversee these groups. The act would get rid of current service boards and create separate operating divisions for the CTA, Metra and Pace, reorganizing similar present-day divisions to streamline operational inefficiencies and create a unified fare system.
Consolidating these public transit options could also lessen the RTA’s budget shortfall. As pandemic-era federal funding runs out, the RTA is expecting a $770 million deficit to lead to service cuts next year.
Addressing inefficiencies within the RTA would lead to changes in Forest Park, along with communities along the El and Metra train lines.
While Forest Park has an intergovernmental agreement with the CTA that allows village police to sign up to enforce the law on CTA property during off-duty hours, Hoskins said the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act could lead to a new, similar partnership. Or even a board that’s more focused on public safety at stations at the end of the train line, like Forest Park.
“As a town that has two train lines in it and has to secure those train lines, we hope that state and county leaders will think about the burden that places on a small town like Forest Park,” Hoskins said, “and provide resources so our firefighters and police officers have some support.”
Last month, Hoskins met with the Active Transportation Alliance and the Metropolitan Planning Council, advocates of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act. Hoskins said they discussed how to get individuals in government and groups to support the act.
“Change is hard in any industry,” but Hoskins said there are people advocating for the act in Springfield right now. He said there could be hearings on the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act during the current General Assembly.
“I see a new model as being able to provide a fresh perspective on how to make riders feel safe,” Hoskins said.
