Agenda moves to other business. There is no additional business. Meeting adjourns at 11:43 am.

Chris Ramos, an organizier from Access Living, says the RTA has misled the public and disability community concerning cuts to RAP/TAP program. Says this is not a serious understanding of human dignity and is difficult to accept emotional comments from RTA board.

A Pace employee shares testimony around his work and his own dependence on transit. Shares concern around staff cuts. Asks for collaboration with Springfield to ensure transit.

Orlando Rojas, a conductor for Metra, gives testimony of the impact and security of his job on himself and others. Shares concern about staff cuts and asks for collaboration with Springfield to find a solution to the fiscal cliff.
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Lena Guerrero Reynolds from the Environment Law and Policy Center asks that RTA not downplay the severity of the situation. Emphasizes importance of transit in environmental impact. Emphasizes importance of acknowledging the issue in the long term before it spirals further.

Paula Worthington from the Civic Federation begins public comment. Mentions letter sent to RTA calling for improved transparency to better understand fiscal cliff and revenue. Acknowledges improvements mades towards this. Calls for better public facing information, especially on improvements

Director Ross asks what the following process is. Vaishnav says each service board budget will come out some time next week. the process of the budget will kick off. Calls the following process extremely dynamic. Dillard highlights the transparency of the ad-hoc meeting including internet reporting.

Director JD Ross emphasizes that they are an efficient and effective transit system. Carey gives kudos to RTA staff for being able to adapt to new information, but the goal is always to put off service cuts as long as they can. Also emphasizes need to keep TAP/RAP going even w/o state funding

RTA member acknowledges that the normal cadence of budget work was shifted to bring more accuracy to the process. How the gap has occurred is will documented but the most urgent issue is to stave off service impacts.

Director Tom Kotarac emphasizes that the impact and consequences of the fiscal cliff are already being felt. Calls for more transparency and asks how that can be done. RTA members recognize a need to refine numbers and simplify information on the complex issue.

Director Lewis and Vaishnav discuss impact of public transit on visitors coming in to Chicago, and say analysis looked at all riders. Lewis follows up to ask about a report concerning federal dollars on safety. Leerhsen says that a letter from the U.S. Director of Transportation will be shared today

Metra representative adds that they are more limited due to being a rail system. Dillard adds that RTA staff talks to their service counterpart 5-6 times a day. Collaboration across the board is emphasized.

Director John Yonan asks about collaborative efforts among the systems. Leerhsen answers that there is collaboration around planned station closure and ensuring service around Obama center. Will make sure that service cuts make sense with service in their respective areas. Metzger and Metra affirms.

A follow up question on the security budget of CTA and the non law enforcement pilot.

Dillard responds that TAP/RAP is only reimbursed 4% of their funding on a state level despite being federally mandated. Emphasizes need for legislature to realize importance of this paratransit service.

TAP/RAP is to the community.

would be cut between CTA and Metra. Mondero asks a follow up concerning TAP/RAP. Pace answers that the action plan has limited the program to 30 rides per month, with a revenue increase. Another member shares ridership numbers for TAP/RAP, showing significant increase. Emphasizes how important (cont

RTA Director Dennis Mondero asks about staffing cuts to Metra. Metra responds that it would be a last measure and more savings will come from how to use what they have more efficiently. There would be no service cuts to Metra in 2026. Mondero calculates that there may be over 2,000 employees (cont.)