Hazel Crest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- State Rep. Al Riley (D-Olympia Fields) issued the following statement in response to the announced resignation of Metra’s CEO, Alex Clifford:
“Recently, the Executive Director of Metra resigned from his position. Situations like this are not always easy; for the Metra board, the staff, and others. But, a transition will take place. I would hope that in the days and weeks that follow as a new CEO is being sought, that Metra re-examines their charge to the riding public; that is to provide safe and efficient transportation to the taxpayers of the Chicago metropolitan area. This also includes insuring equity and in the provision of services, contracts and resource allocation.”
“There should not be any preference given to one region of the metropolitan area over another. A reasonable person or organization should ever have the perception of inequitable treatment. All riders should feel that they have a stake in the goals of Metra and should have opportunities to voice their opinions and concerns. Having an open system that is responsive to riders is vital for the success of Metra, and any of the service boards. After all, in the south suburban region alone, roughly $60 million per year of taxes are paid to the Regional Transportation Authority. It is not beyond the realm of reasonableness that units of governments and their constituents cannot expect to see their share of transit services from all the service boards being provided to this region.”
“I will do whatever I can to support the efforts of Metra. At the same time, I will continue to be diligent in insuring that Metra is a transparent, honest, open agency, responsive to the needs of all. The taxpayers of not only the Southland region, but the entire metropolitan area expect and deserve no less.”
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