Melissa Silverberg Meyer

Communications Manager at @RTA_Chicago. Formerly @dailyherald, @ONTO2050, @illinois_alma. Lover of dogs, national parks, transit, and french fries.

[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

🔔 Wondering why our regional transit fiscal cliff number has changed and where we stand just one week ahead of veto session? 👇 Read our fact sheet for projections on 2026 and 2027 now: https://t.co/mx04CKDxYF

[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

In the coming weeks the RTA will work with the Service Boards on a regional budget that by law must only include funding we are confident the system will receive in 2026.

-- RTA Spokesperson Tina Fassett Smith

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[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

to identify the funding needed to avoid devastating cuts and disruption for everyone in Northeast Illinois. Balancing regional interests is challenging, but we are ready to continue our work to achieve consensus and deliver a solution.

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[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

We are grateful for the months of work of the General Assembly toward both funding and reform for the region’s transit system. It’s clear that many in both the House and Senate support transit, and our intention is to build on that shared support

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[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

Following is analysis based on best available revenue estimates

[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

"Multiple revenue streams in the bill are deposited into a new transit-supportive development incentive fund and others are dedicated to capital needs, leaving less than half of the new funding available for operations."

[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

"While the bill also requires the regional entity to take on additional costs for new initiatives like a police force without dedicated funding, which could further limit available funding, our focus today is closing the budget gap to avoid service cuts in 2026.”

[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

Statement from Chairman Kirk Dillard
“We are grateful the Senate is focused on the fiscal cliff, however, as proposed, the new revenue included in yesterday’s Senate bill fails to address the region’s $771M operating budget gap and would result in significant service cuts in 2026

[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

Over the past month, more than 15,000 letters have been sent to Illinois legislators through the Save Transit Now campaign, urging them to act before the spring legislative session ends. 🧵https://t.co/niUUIGA85F

[Hayden @the_transit_guy]

You think the pope has a favorite L line?

[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

📢 1,500 letters have been sent to Illinois legislators asking for additional transit funding and a stronger RTA that will bring more frequent and reliable public transportation for all.

Have you sent yours? Do it now with one easy click at https://t.co/8NbXiXI1Et! 📲🚇

[Crain's Chicago Business @CrainsChicago]

Transit agencies launch ad blitz asking riders for back-up in Springfield https://t.co/VIIi9jX8bg

[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

📢 Today, the RTA launches a campaign to raise awareness and gather support for closing the regional transit funding gap. We are advocating for $1.5B in additional funding backed by a stronger RTA to ensure our system can not only survive but thrive. https://t.co/w8SKkDrPzf

[Block Club Chicago @BlockClubCHI]

The CTA is promising "10 minutes or sooner" buses on major city routes starting this month. https://t.co/En4etsD5kB

[RTA Chicago @RTA_Chicago]

Thanks in part to Access and other RTA Reduced Fare programs, ridership on the transit system has continued to rise. However, with the looming fiscal cliff, transit stands at a critical pivot point where additional investment is needed to preserve these programs.

[Melissa Silverberg Meyer @m_silvermeyer]

Nobody works harder than @hannahmeisel.

[Jerry Nowicki @NowickiPress]

Some back-of-the-napkin math shows @hannahmeisel wrote ~90,000 words -about 50 stories- on the Madigan trial since October for @CapitolNewsIL

We've retooled our Madigan Trial in Review page to feature her work chronologically in 1 place. Give it a look:
https://t.co/mBrWgmqnFq

[Hayden @the_transit_guy]

Pete Buttigieg will go down as the best DOT Secretary in the last 50 years, and I suspect he will be of my lifetime.

[Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune]

Overseeing the efforts would be a stronger RTA that would coordinate fares, service and construction projects among city and suburban bus and train agencies, RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard said. Paying for it would involve $1.5 billion for Chicago-area transit. https://t.co/zoM680JZLX

[WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw]

The RTA pitches a “historic restructuring” that aims to satisfy calls for governance change and improve rider experience, amid concerns over an estimated $750 million budget gap for Chicagoland transit.

https://t.co/wMjLs9SEX8

[Kirk Dillard @KDillardRTA]

It’s time for Chicago's regional transit system to take its place among the world’s best by investing in better service systemwide! https://t.co/s2RaZSGfC0