Received an email from the CTA this evening. I guess all the tobacco money has dried up, and the Illinois state budget shortfall is real. Of course, by sending this email to everyone who has a CTA card (and an email), I assume the CTA administration is hoping to generate some outraged phone calls and letters to Springfield. Good luck on that: I received not a single response to my complaints about the recent anti-wine legislation. Not even a form letter or form email.
Due to insufficient state funding, the Chicago Transit Authority Board recently approved a contingency plan which includes changes to CTA service and fares. Without additional funding, this contingency plan will take effect on September 16, 2007. Customers who pay with cash or Transit Cards and use the CTA weekdays will pay higher fares at rail stations and on buses (depending on the time of day they ride). Fares will also increase for customers who use Chicago Card® and Chicago Card Plus®. Visit www.transitchicago.com to learn more about CTA's 2007 fare changes.
The press release is actually here, and says, in part:
The Chicago Transit Board today approved a budget-balancing plan that will reduce bus service by 8% and raise fares on September 16 if a state funding package for transit is not approved. The plan is a modified version of a contingency plan proposed in May. Chicago Transit Authority President Ron Huberman said that positive budget results from internal belt tightening measures, labor savings through arbitration, and increased fare revenue due to higher ridership will enable the agency to offer a modified plan that incorporates feedback from a series of public hearings and impacts fewer CTA customers.The CTA’s contingency plan combines labor savings and administrative cuts and efficiencies with a fare increase (Contingency Plan Fare Structure) (PDF), an 8% reduction in bus service (Proposed Service Reductions) (PDF), and the transfer of capital funds that had been intended for renovating buses and rail cars. These measures will bridge the gap in CTA’s 2007 budget that was created because the agency, under a directive from the Regional Transportation Authority, developed a 2007 budget that anticipated $110 million in additional state funding. As of today, the General Assembly has not approved a transit funding package, so the CTA must move ahead with its contingency plan. The CTA is required by law to have a balanced budget.
“We regret that we have to move ahead with these plans. CTA has done everything it has been asked to do to get our finances in order, including reaching a significant labor agreement where our employees have agreed to fix long-term problems with the pension and health-care system. We have taken multiple steps to reduce costs to avoid impacting our riders. But transit has a structural funding problem and management efficiencies alone won’t solve it. Without adequate funding from Springfield, we will be forced to reduce service and raise fares,” said Huberman.
“Today is a day that we hoped would never come,” said Board Chairman Carole Brown. “Although I remain optimistic that state lawmakers will provide increased transit funding, I am disappointed that we are forced today to put our employees and customers through the uncertainty of planning for service cuts and fare increases. And - here's the worst part - if Springfield doesn't act, we will be back at the end of September preparing another deeper round of cuts for 2008.”
More here, if you are interested.
