In a work by Streetsblog Chicago, Rick Harnish, executive director of the High Speed Rail Alliance, argues that the transport reform bill passed by the Illinois Legislature at the end of May could “set the stage for a potential revolution in US transport policy.”
As Harnish explains, “Its main focus is restructuring and stabilizing transport governance for Northeast Illinois agents like Metra, and stabilizing funds, but the bill includes a historic breakthrough.
Harnish lists several ways that the state of Illinois and the country can shift rail policies if the bill is passed. For one, the stronger Metra could become the “cornerstone” of the wider regional and national railways. Illinois could be another model of a “integrated network” approach that ensures that high-speed rails connect to other transit systems.
According to Harnish, Intercity Rail’s dedicated funding sources will “unlock doors to new rail routes and modern services connecting Illinois cities, setting precedents other states should follow.”
Idot is also developing a statewide bus plan that “will dramatically increase access and connectivity to rural and downstate communities.”
Source link
