The Chicago Transit Authority is set to increase fares, eliminate bus routes and lay off more than 600 employees Sunday, unless last-minute government measures prevent CTA’s “Doomsday” scenario.
Further cuts, including eliminating all CTA bus services in Evanston, are planned for Jan. 6 unless state lawmakers find a remedy to eliminate multimillion-dollar budget deficits.
On Sunday, bus and train fares will increase by between 25 cents and $1. Cash bus fares will rise from $2 to $2.50. Cash rail fares will rise to $2.50 during off-peak hours and $3 between 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Prices for unlimited ride passes will also go up.
While waiting at the Davis Street El station Thursday, Michelle Fischer, a junior at DeVry University, said she possibly would have to drop a couple of classes next semester because of the price change.
“It’s weird to me,” Fischer said. “They built a new central office, but they don’t have enough money for buses.”
A total of 39 bus routes will be cut throughout the Chicago area Sunday. Though alternate routes are provided on the CTA’s Web site, the routes lengthen most riders’ trips.
Ruth Blocker said she will be significantly affected by the bus cuts. The buses her 13- and 16-year-old children take to school are among the ones slated to be cut Sunday, and Blocker said she is worried about finding another route that is both safe and expedient.
“The bus they’re cutting is on a main street,” Blocker said. “Oh my goodness. This is absolutely ludicrous.”
CTA officials said the organization needs the extra funding to accommodate a growing need for transit due to an increase in jobs, population, and the costs of fuel and security. According to its Web site, the CTA is underfunded in comparison to other major U.S. transit systems, such as those in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
“We are here as (sic) state lawmakers have failed to act on a problem that has been growing steadily worse year after year,” wrote CTA President Ron Huberman in a press release dated last Sunday. “Eliminating 39 bus routes, raising fares and laying off 600 employees next Sunday will cause great hardship for our customers, motorists, businesses and CTA employees. The CTA does not want to move ahead with these cuts, but without state action we are simply out of options.”
“Doomsday” was postponed in September when Huberman accepted a $24 million advance from Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich to bail out the agency and prevent cuts until November.
“I believe they’re going to get the money eventually because it doesn’t affect only the public,” said Darryl Cole, a CTA employee who said he would not be laid off under current plans. “It affects the employees too, and it can affect me in the long run.”
The CTA recommends on its Web site that frequent travelers purchase unlimited passes to save money. Riders should also arrive at stations and bus stops earlier because they are expected to be more crowded.
“The federal government needs to step up and chip in,” said Brian Anderson, an office clerk in the Chicago area. “These people need help. There’s no sense in them having to go through this.”
Reach Heidi Kim at [email protected].
