Chicago: Task force: Create superagency for transit

(Chicago Tribune) In what would be the biggest reshaping of the Chicago region’s bus and train system in 30 years, a Public Transit Task Force is recommending abolishing the Regional Transportation Authority and the boards of the CTA, Metra and Pace in favor of a new superagency in charge of policy and funding.

The Gov. Pat Quinn-appointed panel concluded Monday that the current leadership structure -- with four separate transit boards and 47 directors -- has “structural, cultural and historical impediments (which have) led to stalemates and dormancy (and) inhibited collaboration” between the city and suburban transit agencies.

The 15-member task force, after seven months of work, concluded that the region needs a new framework for public transit to replace the governance system that has been in effect since 1983, regardless of the deeply divisive political implications that may be stirred up.

“We need to be bold and actionable,” said George Ranney Jr., the task force’s co-chairman. “Some of the politics will inevitably occur later. Let’s not try to outsmart the legislature or do its job for it.” ....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-chicago-transit-20140317,0,3006718.story