Regional Transportation Authority

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will host four open houses starting April 28 for communities, counties, and transportation providers interested in the RTA’s Funding Programs.

 Open house attendees will gain a better understanding of the Funding Programs and projects that were previously funded and have an opportunity to discuss their project ideas with RTA staff.

“We are looking to the community to give us ideas of where we can enhance and improve our transit system,” said Leanne Redden, Senior Deputy Executive Director of Planning and Regional Programs. “We are looking for innovative projects that are generated at the local level and will improve transportation options for the northeast Illinois region.”

The RTA Funding Programs subsidize projects that will increase transit usage, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the region’s transit system, provide for better mobility for seniors and people with disabilities, or improve job access. 

The Call for Projects Open Houses will be held at the following locations:

In December 2009, the RTA Board approved funding for 10 planning projects and an additional 9 Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) / New Freedom (NF) Program projects were funded through a combination of federal and local funds. The projects are located throughout the six-county RTA service region which consists of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. Last year, the RTA allocated over $11 million in federal, state and local funding to support these innovative projects that will offer a plethora of transit options to applicants through transit-oriented development and local transit improvement plans, introduction of services and capital improvements.         

Visit the RTA Funding Programs webpage at www.rtachicago.com/programs for general background information and to download an application. The deadline to submit applications is June 10, 2010.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMS

All projects funded through the following programs are consistent with the legislative mandates.  The programs range from planning studies and initiatives to transit operating and capital projects.

Community Planning Program

The Community Planning Program is available to municipalities to create plans for local station area/transit-oriented development (TOD), local transit improvement, TOD guidelines, local coordinated paratransit plans and detailed implementation studies. More information regarding the Community Planning Program can be found at www.rtachicago.com/cp.

Subregional Planning Program

The Subregional Planning Program is available to counties, townships, councils of Mayors, the City of Chicago, and the CTA, Metra, and Pace.  Eligible planning projects include Subregional and market focused plans such as transit service restructuring studies or efforts focused on developing specific market opportunities; countywide or Subregional transit improvement studies, transit-oriented development studies and paratransit studies. More information regarding the Subregional Planning Program can be found at www.rtachicago.com/srp.

Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) / New Freedom (NF) Program

The JARC/NF program is available to local governments, transportation agencies, and the CTA, Metra and Pace for operating and capital projects derived from the RTA Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) that enhance mobility for seniors, people with disabilities, and low income populations, address reverse commute markets and/or provide access to jobs. More information regarding the JARC/NF Program can be found at www.rtachicago.com/jarcnf.

Innovation Coordination and Enhancement (ICE) Program

The ICE Program is a competitive funding program, established as part of the 2008 Mass Transit Reform Legislation. The program provides operating and capital assistance to enhance the coordination and integration of public transportation and to develop and implement innovations to improve the quality and delivery of public transportation. Projects funded through this program advance the vision and goals of the RTA Strategic Plan by providing reliable and convenient transit services and enhancing efficiencies through effective management, innovation and technology.  More information regarding the ICE Program can be found at www.rtachicago.com/ice.