NITA members discuss possibly of unified fares for Chicago public transportation at first meeting

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A new governing body that state leaders say will transform public transportation in the Chicago region held its first meeting on Thursday.

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The meeting marked the official transition from the Regional Transportation Authority to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, also known as NITA.

NITA replaces the RTA, which oversaw Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace for decades.

Supporters say the new agency will have broader authority to integrate the region's transit systems and improve coordination among them.

"This cannot just be a new acronym on top of old problems. What this is, is a complete reset. When you look at the legislation, it empowers this board to do things that the last board couldn't really do," said state Rep. Kam Buckner, a Chicago Democrat who helped craft the legislation creating NITA.

The organization's first meeting included several key votes by the 20-member board.

READ MORE | New Northern Illinois Transit Authority board prepares for first meeting as riders seek improvements

Members named former Chicago Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee as interim executive director and elected former RTA board member Tom Kotarac as NITA chair.

"If we get it right, we can build a system that our children and grandchildren will inherit and be very proud of," Kotarac said.

Among the agency's responsibilities is implementing provisions of the transit legislation that require greater integration among Metra, CTA and Pace.

The law sets a timeline for unifying fares so riders pay only once when using multiple transit systems. It also calls for coordinating schedules among the three agencies.

Buckner said the previous structure often left transit agencies operating independently of one another.

"When you get off the Red Line, you can be able to get on a on a Pace bus and then get on the Metra if you need to, in a way that is smart and that is logical and that makes," Buckner said.

The creation of NITA came after Chicago-area transit agencies faced significant financial challenges last year.

"We were planning with our colleagues in the service boards 5,000 layoffs and planning what's the least worst outcome of 40% production in service," Kotarac said.

The $1.5 billion transit bill that created NITA drew criticism from Illinois Republicans, who described it as a bailout for CTA, Metra and Pace that relies on tax and toll increases.

Democrats, however, argue the legislation will transform transportation statewide and help preserve public bus service in downstate rural counties.

Transit advocates said they intend to closely monitor the new agency's performance.

"What I promise you is we will hold you accountable that is just not a threat its promise because Chicago sees when transit is not accountable and there are no more status with quo anymore," said Kyle Lucas, executive director of Better Streets Chicago.

Safety remains a major concern for transit riders. Under the legislation, the NITA board must vote next June on whether to create a transit police force.