HB3597 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 06493 RLJ 46576 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB3597

Introduced 2/24/2011, by Rep. William D. Burns

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

70 ILCS 3605/30	from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 330
70 ILCS 3605/55 new
70 ILCS 3615/2.35 new
70 ILCS 3615/2.37 new
70 ILCS 3615/3A.20 new
70 ILCS 3615/3B.20 new

Amends the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that, by January 1, 2012, the Regional Transportation Authority, in consultation with the Service Boards (Commuter Rail Division, Suburban Bus Division, and Chicago Transit Authority), must develop a policy for reducing the cost of transfers on all public transportation services provided by the Service Boards. Sets forth the requirements for the policy and the implementation of the policy by the Service Boards. Provides that, by January 1, 2015, the Authority must develop and make available for use by riders a universal fare card that may be used interchangeably on all bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, and paratransit services provided by the Service Boards. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning local government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Metropolitan Transit Authority Act is amended by changing Section 30 and by adding Section 55 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3605/30) (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 330)

Sec. 30. The Board shall make all rules and regulations governing the operation of the transportation system, shall determine all routings and change the same whenever it is deemed advisable by the Board, subject to the provisions of any ordinance granting rights to the Authority. Except as provided in Sections 2.35 and Section 4.11(b)(5) of the "Regional Transportation Authority Act", the Board shall fix rates, fares and charges for transportation, provided that they shall be at all times sufficient in the aggregate to provide revenues (a) for the payment of the interest on and principal of all bonds, certificates and other obligations payable from said revenues and to meet all other charges upon such revenues as provided by any trust agreement executed by the Authority in connection with the issuance of bonds or certificates under this Act, (b) for the payment of all operating costs including all charges which may be incurred pursuant to Sections 29 and 39 of this Act and all other costs and charges incidental to the operation of the transportation system, (c) for the payment of all costs and charges incurred pursuant to Sections 37 and 38 of this Act and any other costs and charges for acquisition, installation, construction or for replacement or reconstruction of equipment, structures or rights of way not financed through issuance of bonds or certificates under Section 12 of this Act, and (d) for any compensation required to be paid to any municipality for the use of streets, subways and other public ways. The Board may provide free transportation within any municipality in and by which they are employed for firemen and public health nurses, when in uniform, and policemen when in uniform or, when not in uniform, upon presentation of identification as policemen, and shall provide free transportation to sworn law enforcement personnel of the Cook County Sheriff's Department when in uniform or, when not in uniform, upon presentation of identification as sworn law enforcement personnel of the Cook County Sheriff's Department, and may provide free transportation for employees of the Authority when in uniform or upon presentation of identification as such employees, and may enter into agreements with the United States Post Office Department for the transportation of mail, and the payment of compensation to the Authority in lieu of fares for the transportation of letter carriers, when in uniform at all times.

The Board may also provide free transportation, or transportation at reduced fares, to all or designated classes of pupils in attendance at public schools of school districts within or partly within the territorial limits of the Authority, or in attendance at private schools offering grades of instruction comparable to those offered in public schools, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board, and, if otherwise authorized by law, the Board may contract with public school boards and representatives of private schools, for reimbursement of pupil transportation costs from public funds.

(Source: P.A. 83-886.)

(70 ILCS 3605/55 new)

Sec. 55. Transfers. By January 1, 2013, the Authority must implement the reduced-cost transfer policy adopted by the Regional Transportation Authority under Section 2.35 of the Regional Transportation Authority Act.

Section 10. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is amended by adding Sections 2.35, 2.37, 3A.20, and 3B.20 as follows:

(70 ILCS 3615/2.35 new)

Sec. 2.35. Reduced-cost transfers.

(a) By January 1, 2012, the Authority, in consultation with the Service Boards, must develop a policy for reducing the cost of transfers on all public transportation services provided by the Service Boards. The policy must allow riders to transfer from one public transportation service provided by a Service Board to another service provided by the same or a different Service Board within 2 hours for a combined fare that is no more than 60% of the sum of the individual cost of each ride. The reduced-cost transfer policy must also set forth the fare sharing agreements between the Service Boards and apply to monthly passes and single-ride tickets.

(b) By January 1, 2013, the reduced-cost transfer policy created under subsection (a) must be implemented by the Chicago Transit Authority and the Suburban Bus Board. The Commuter Rail Board must implement the reduced-cost transfer policy on at least the Metra Electric District Line by January 1, 2013 and all other rail lines by January 1, 2015.

(c) By January 1, 2015, the reduced-cost transfer policy must apply to the universal fare card developed by the Authority under Section 2.37.

(d) The Authority must adopt rules to implement the requirements set forth in this Section.

(70 ILCS 3615/2.37 new)

Sec. 2.37. Universal fare card. By January 1, 2015, the Authority must develop and make available for use by riders a universal fare card that may be used interchangeably on all bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, and paratransit services provided by the Service Boards. The Authority must adopt rules to implement the requirements set forth in this Section.

(70 ILCS 3615/3A.20 new)

Sec. 3A.20. Transfers. By January 1, 2013, the Suburban Bus Board must implement the reduced-cost transfer policy adopted by the Authority under Section 2.35.

(70 ILCS 3615/3B.20 new)

Sec. 3B.20. Transfers. By January 1, 2013, the Commuter Rail Board must implement the reduced-cost transfer policy adopted by the Authority under Section 2.35 on at least the Metra Electric District Line. The Commuter Rail Board must implement the policy on all other rail lines by January 1, 2015.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.