(The following article by Mark J. Konkol was posted on the Chicago Sun-Times website on August 2.)
CHICAGO — Metra’s first two Electric Line trains with on-board toilets are set to pick up passengers starting in September, with 24 more cars to hit the tracks by early 2006.
But greater commuter relief — the $420 million contract for 160 restroom-equipped train cars for the South Suburban line — is about to get flushed.
Without the state bonding authority to pay the bill, Metra officials fear the train-car manufacturer will no longer honor the agreed price past September, a year beyond the original sale date.
And that could force Metra to start the bidding process again — potentially boosting the train car price tag and keeping a complete fleet of trains with toilets off the Electric Line for years.
The train car purchase was originally delayed when state leaders decided not to extend the expiring Strategic Capital Improvement Program bond program.
Metra twice extended the purchase contract with Sumitomo Corporation of America while waiting for new state funding that never came.
IDOT spokesman Mike Claffey said the SCIP bond program expired and there is no new revenue to bring it back to life.
Claffey said IDOT leaders expect the federal transportation appropriations bill — which passed Congress and is awaiting President Bush’s signature — will include some money for rail cars. And IDOT officials have promised state matching funds will be available to meet federal grants.
But unless new funding can be secured next month, it may be too late to save the current deal.
Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said the Electric Line cars remain the agency’s “top capital priority,” but its hands are tied without the state dollars.
“We cannot shuffle money for other capital programs [to cover the cost]. Other federal money is [already earmarked] for specific projects and matching state money,” she said.
Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce president Kevin McNulty said he was warned of the likely train car trouble months ago in a letter from Metra board chairman Jeff Ladd.