Metra on Oct. 6 announced it has posted a variety of new information on its website, www.metrarail.com, enhancing the agency’s transparency and accountability for its customers and the region’s taxpayers.
New information on the site includes Metra employee compensation information, a summary of contracts awarded each month and a listing of the agency’s expenditures updated monthly.
The new information being provided on Metra’s website will also be part of a website known as the Greater Chicago Mass Transit Transparency and Accountability Portal. A new state law requires all RTA transit agencies to post such information on the portal beginning Jan. 1, 2016.
In addition, Metra has begun posting all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests online, as well as posting information that lists how much each firm bid in response to an invitation for bid (IFB) for a formal contract solicitation at the time of the official public bid opening. All of the Metra’s current collective bargaining agreements are also posted online.
“Metra is seeking to bolster the public’s trust in our agency and one way we can do that is to be as open and transparent as possible and show we are committed to being accountable to the customers we serve,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno.
“The Metra Board of Directors strongly believes in increased sunshine and transparency,” said Metra Board Chairman Martin Oberman. “Our goal is to make it simple to get information about Metra so that our customers and other stakeholders can learn about what’s happening at our agency.”
Previously, Metra has posted other information on its website to improve transparency, including the agency’s annual procurement plan, on-time performance reports, Board meeting minutes and information about the Office of Executive Inspector General.