Chicago Transit Leaders Oppose Merger Legislation, Pleading for More Funding

Ahead of a multi-million dollar fiscal cliff in 2026, CTA, Metra, and Pace pushed back on a potential merger at the first of several hearings to determine their futures in the wake of decreased ridership.

2 minute read

July 17, 2024, 7:00 AM PDT

By Cameron Lind


Chicago elevated train over busy city street surrounded by high-rise buildings

wonderlustpicstravel / Chicago train

At a recent hearing addressing dwindling funding and the looming end of COVID-19 pandemic relief funds, Nick Blumberg reported for WTTW News on what CTA, Metra, and Pace leaders said their approach would be to fight the $730 million fiscal cliff in their path. They pushed back on a $1.5 billion proposal from lawmakers to merge the three agencies, reasoning that more individual funding and reforms would have a greater positive impact.

All three heads of agencies–Melinda Metzger of Pace, Dorval Carter of CTA, and Jim Derwinski of Metra–acknowledged the cash deficit and proposed more individually directed funding and reforms in lieu of a merger. Blumberg reports that transit leaders said the merger “wouldn’t create the cost savings advocates hope for, would reduce the impact of local input and expertise, and wouldn’t do much to increase service levels.”

Adding to this sentiment, RTA board chair Kirk Dillard told lawmakers that, having been a part of similar debates in recent years, the kinds of reforms that transit agency leaders are proposing have created “one of the nation’s best transit systems.” In support of increased funding for all three agencies, he added that “funding cures most ills.”

In return, government leaders made it clear that there is little room for additional funding without significant changes to make the transit system not only reliable, but “accountable and transparent,” State Sen. and chair of the Senate Transportation Committee Ram Villivalam said in the hearing.

Reforms mentioned by Metzger, Carter, Derwinski, and Dillard that would garner that additional funding include shifting Metra schedules from a commuter rail model to a regional rail model, addressing repair backlogs to keep trains moving safely and smoothly, and a new daily pass that would allow riders to access CTA, Metra, and Pace.

Sen. Villivalum ended the hearing with the conclusion that the merger may move forward or lawmakers may explore other avenues of improving the Chicago area’s public transit system, depending on their consensus. More hearings will take place across the area through October.

Sunday, July 9, 2000 in WTTW

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City