Affirmation of Support for Transit in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Authority, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace

The Regional Transportation Authority is leading a joint campaign with the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace to create a modern transit network for Northeastern Illinois. Our current transit network is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of our region for the 21st century. We are engaged in a strategic plan for modern transit and we seek input and participation from residents throughout the six-county region to create a plan for a better transit system that benefits everyone through reduced congestion on our roads.

Leading organizations throughout the region understand the crucial role that a transit network plays in our economic vitality. Local governments, hospitals, businesses, cultural facilities, schools of all sizes and other leading organizations are asked to lend their expertise and their input to the Moving Beyond Congestion project to help shape the future of the entire region.

Partners for Transit are asked to participate in one or more of the following ways:

1. As the Moving Beyond Congestion plan develops over the next 12 months, remain involved and engaged in the campaign’s activities.

a. Assign one high-level staff from the Partner’s organization as the point of contact with the RTA to remain involved with the ongoing process.

2. Market the strategic plan website to your organization’s members and key publics, as appropriate. Possible methods of marketing the website include:

a. Have a link from the organization’s home page to MovingBeyondCongestion.org

b. An ongoing email communication to the organization’s email list on activities happening regarding this planning process

c. A newsletter article and distribution of Moving Beyond Congestion plan materials.

3. Host at least one 45 minute community dialogue on the Moving Beyond Congestion plan before early November.

a. RTA or transit agency staff can conduct the dialogue or (preferably) train the Partner organization’s staff on how to conduct the dialogue.

The RTA on behalf of the CTA, Metra and Pace, agrees to:

1. Provide a specific staff person as a point of contact for your organization

2. Provide training to any Partner that wishes to hold a community presentation

3. Provide necessary materials to any Partner that wishes to hold a community dialogue on the Moving Beyond Congestion plan

4. Publicize all community dialogues on the strategic plan website and indicate which dialogues are open to the public

5. Ensure that Partners are kept abreast of the developments of the strategic plan

6. Collect all input, suggestions, data and studies that Partners possess or gather for the strategic plan