U.S. agency's opinion sought in Metra cuts

May 08, 2005

State Sen. Kwame Raoul said Friday he will seek the Federal Transit Administration's opinion on whether there needs to be a civil rights analysis of Metra's decision to delay buying 160 restroom-equipped commuter cars for its Electric line.

Raoul (D-Chicago), whose district is served by the line, made the statement after meeting with Metra officials, who explained why the board cut $117 million from its 2005 budget, delaying the purchase of train cars. The board made the move in January after the state failed to replace a bonding program.

Metra officials said the civil rights analysis is unnecessary because even with the cut, the Electric line, which serves many predominantly African-American communities on the South Side and in the south suburbs, gets the same amount of funding as other routes.

Friday's meeting was the second time Metra officials discussed the issue with Raoul. The senator asked for further explanation after his staff researched transit issues and noticed that Metra had cut money from its Electric line district but had not touched other routes.

Metra deferred the purchase of the Electric line cars because they were next on the list of rolling stock to be replaced.