Quinn Approves Universal Fare Card for RTA, Metra and Pace

A universal fare card system for Regional Transporation Authority, Metra and PACE transportation systems was signed into legislation by Gov. Pat Quinn Thursday, according to the Daily Herald.

The bill will "allow riders to use credit or debit cards or prepaid cards on all transit systems effective Jan. 1, 2015."

"This is 21st century transit reform," Quinn said during the signing ceremony, according to The Chicago Tribune.

“Now it's the law and everyone will work toward that date,” RTA deputy executive director of communications Diane Palmer told the Herald. “This is obviously a key priority for the RTA.”

Additionally, the law calls for Metra to create a train tracking system that is similar to the Chicago Transit Authorities' Bus and Train Tracker programs, and for every train to have have defibrillators. The bill also requests that Metra, if it can do so at no charge to the agency itself, provide free Wi-Fi for travelers while the RTA has been requested to study the costs of implementing an Internet system on its buses and trains.

Read the full story from the Chicago Daily Herald here and The Chicago Tribune here.