Transportation
of rural areas, including the retention of basic service
in areas where needed and coordinating state and
federal funding programs, and 3) the expansion of
public transportation where necessary and logical.
The public transit capital program typically is divided
into two parts: one for Northeast Illinois and one for
Downstate Illinois. In Northeast Illinois, IDOT
provides capital funding
for the Regional
Transportation Authority
(RTA). The RTA
distributes this funding to
its three service boards:
the Chicago Transit
Authority (CTA), the Metra
commuter rail service and
the PACE suburban bus
system.
The RTA's capital program emphasizes modernizing
the existing system. Capital improvements have
generally included: purchase of rolling stock (i.e.,
rapid transit cars, locomotives, rail cars and buses);
reconstruction of track; and station improvements.
In Downstate Illinois, the transit capital program
includes rolling stock replacement and facility
construction. The program addresses mobility needs
with funding to support the operation of public
transportation in rural and downstate urban areas
and to purchase rolling stock for transit systems
serving persons with disabilities and the elderly. The
expansion of transit systems in Downstate Illinois
also helps serve additional or growing markets,
including the extension of the MetroLink light rail
transit system in St. Clair County.
Funding for public transit capital comes from state,
federal and local sources. The majority of state
support is funded with General Obligation bonds.
IDOT typically uses these Transportation B (Tran B)
bonds to leverage an 80 percent federal match. The
federal surface transportation funding act (currently
SAFETEA-LU) provides the formula and funds for the
Illinois public transit capital budget in 2010.
SAFETEA-LU is due to expire on Sept. 30, 2009. All
projections for fiscal year 2010 public transportation
funding are based on current funding formulas in
SAFETEA-LU. The federal transit capital program
consists of three categories: formula apportionments
for rail modernization, discretionary grants for new
starts, and discretionary grants for major bus capital
needs.
Federal rail modernization funds are used for
preservation and improvements on commuter rail and
CTA rapid transit lines in northeastern Illinois, as well
as for the MetroLink light rail line in the St. Louis
region. Funding for new mass transit projects across
the state will better meet the needs of employers and
workers by improving efficiency, reliability and
affordability. The proposed state capital program for
fiscal year 2010 includes a bonding component of
$1.5 billion for Mass Transportation, which is
expected to match $2.66 billion in federal funds and
create or maintain tens of thousands of jobs. The
transit bonding component will be funded by
increases in the motor vehicle title fees. This level of
funding will allow Illinois' mass transportation districts
to compete for grants to purchase buses and rail
cars; build train stations, bus garages and rail yards;
and reconstruct commuter rail bridges and elevated
rail structures.
The Division of Public
and Intermodal
Transportation
provides technical
assistance and
administers state and
federal funding to 50
public transit systems
throughout the state. FEDERAL RECOVERY
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) of 2009 contains funding for transit
programs.
Transit
• Nationally, $8.4 billion is available nationally for
public transportation systems. The vast majority
of Illinois’ share will be distributed directly to
transit service providers through existing
formulas and discretionary grants. This funding is
allocated between Transit Capital Assistance,
Fixed Guideway Infrastructure and Capital
Investment Grants (New Starts).
o Transit Capital Assistance. Illinois’ expected
share is $371 million ($350 million for
urbanized areas and $21 million for non-urbanized
areas).
o Fixed Guideway Infrastructure. A total of
$750 million for fixed guideway
modernization projects will be distributed via
formula. Illinois’ expected share is $96
million.
o Capital Investment Grants (New Starts). A
total of $750 million available for capital
investment grants under the New Starts
program. The Federal Transit Authority (FTA)
will competitively award these grants to
service providers.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Increased ridership in northeastern Illinois.
Overall, bus and rail ridership for northeastern
Illinois in 2009 increased by more than 6 percent
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