Letter to the Editor

Residents throughout northeastern Illinois have an opportunity next week to learn about an issue that affects the daily lives of millions of people. If you are one of the many people who use public transit in our region covering Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake McHenry or Will counties, you know that the CTA, Metra and Pace get you where you need to go. If you don't use public transit, you know that the services of trains and buses mean fewer cars causing congestion on our highways and other roads. In the bigger picture, public transit helps our region's economy grow and thrive.

Earlier this month, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), in partnership with the CTA, Metra, and Pace issued a preliminary strategic plan that calls for significant investments to maintain , enhance and expand transit service to address congestion and support economic growth. These investments will make the system of public transit cleaner, safer, on-time and more frequent and comprehensive. The plan also includes new projects specific to communities within the six-county area.

By definition, public transit is an investment in serving the public--residents, businesses and communities in our region. In the weeks ahead, RTA is committed to sharing information, securing input from the public, and refining our plan based on what we learn from users and non-users alike.

Please join us at the public meeting in your area next week. For a detailed schedule, go to www.MovingBeyondCongestion.org, or call 312-913-3200. All of us at the RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace look forward to your help.

Steve Schlickman, Executive Director
Regional Transportation Authority