Crain's Chicago (Greg Hinz)
As Gov. Pat Quinn's transit commission gets down to work, here's a suggestion that could save the area's public transportation operators millions of dollars a year: joint purchasing of everything from diesel fuel for buses to insurance benefits for workers. The idea doesn't start with me. It comes from Regional Transportation Authority Chairman John Gates. And while the RTA once again is being torn apart by one of its patented budget battles, Mr. Gates is absolutely on target with his procurement idea.In New York, the five MTA agencies all conduct their own procurements as well, for comparison.
Under current circumstances, the RTA's three operating units — Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace — often buy goods and services independently, even when they are buying exactly the same stuff.
Since my friend continues to chain smoke nonstop, she is probably an Alco.