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PROPOSED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT (TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS)
Department: Transportation and Highways
Other Part(ies): The Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority (Metra)
Request: Approval of the Proposed Intergovernmental Agreement
Goods or Services: Fair Transit
Location: South Cook County (Metra Electric and Rock Island Lines)
Section: 21-SCFTP-00-TD
Centerline Mileage: N/A
County Board District: 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Agreement Number(s): N/A
Agreement Period: 1/4/2021 - 1/4/2024
Fiscal Impact: $30,000,000.00
Accounts: Motor Fuel Tax: 11300.1500.29150.521536
Summary: The Department of Transportation and Highways respectfully requests approval of the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement between the County and Metra. Beginning in January 2021, Cook County and the region's transit agencies will launch a three-year pilot project to improve transit service for the residents of south suburban Cook and the south side of Chicago. The pilot will begin with a 50% fare reduction on the Metra Electric and Rock Island commuter rail lines and service improvements on the Pace 352 bus route. Implementation of more seamless fare transfers between transit operators is expected later in the three-year pilot. The County and transit operators will monitor the performance of the pilot continuously, adjusting the pilot as needed to best suit transit riders. Comprehensive outreach and marketing activities will be conducted throughout the Pilot to both educate interested and existing riders and receive feedback on the efficacy of the Pilot. Cook County will underwrite the costs for each participating agency. In Metra’s case the County will pay to Metra the difference between the full price of the tickets sold minus the reduced price collected from the sale of those tickets. The County will also pay to Metra the initial costs of implementing the pilot, the Title VI costs, and any approved additional costs related to the Pilot. This project fulfills the Department’s priorities as outlined in the Long Range Transportation plan by improving transit accessibility, affordability, and service and promoting equitable investments in transportation.
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