Oct 30, 2007 10:43 pm US/Central
CTA Riders Sound Off 5 Days Before 'Doomsday'
Lawmakers Offer No Sign Of Relief, But Transit Union Offers Cryptic Signs Of Hope For A Deal
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The CTA is counting down to cutbacks, but riders aren't going away quietly. As CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports, passengers had plenty to say just five days before the cutbacks are set to kick in.
With the specter of major service cuts and massive layoffs, still hanging over their heads, riders voiced frustration at another of the CTA budget hearings Tuesday night.
"The cutbacks would be a blight on our area," said the Lakeview Council president.
Without an end to the impasse in Springfield, more than half of all CTA bus routes will be gone by January 6, more than 600 workers will be laid off.
Tuesday morning, the Amalgamated Transit Union which represents bus drivers and transit workers, sent out a combative, mid-day news release title, "ATU To Fight Planned 'Doomsday Layoffs' and Service Cuts." It went on to say, "ATU President Darrell Jefferson plans to outline details of planned legal options and direct action strategies the local union may exercise against the CTA."
But as CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports, by the time their 1 p.m. news conference finally got going at nearly 3:30, union officials had backed way off because, they said, of promises from key legislative leaders.
"The legislature will take action and will be responsible and not allow one of the largest mass transit systems become paralyzed," Melvin Caldwell, ATU Local Union 241, said.
No details were offered either by the union or state politicians. For his part, Mayor Richard M. Daley expressed sympathy with the angry bus drivers, noting that they had recently ratified a new contract that provides no immediate pay raise and makes long-term concessions on the cost of health care and pensions.
"They've done their part. Sure they're upset. This is ridiculous. Now, this is the week that adults in Springfield have to do their job," Daley said.
A spokesman for House Speaker Mike Madigan says he's not aware of any breakthrough. It's clear that not everyone in the general assembly agrees with Daley's demands. What he wants for the CTA over the long-term amounts to hundreds of millions of new dollars every year for operating expenses, and for capital projects like the purchase of new trains and buses and for new lines as well.
With no evidence in Springfield that a deal was near, CTA President Ron Huberman had no choice Tuesday night but to listen to his customers' complaints and continue to prepare for the worst.
Huberman says the cuts can still be avoided if the legislature acts by Sunday.
"This is the week that the adults in Springfield have to do their job," Daley said.
A letter from Huberman to CTA riders Tuesday night warns of longer travel times come Monday and asks them to avoid the rush hour if possible. But it also tells them how to get in touch with state legislators to push for a solution to the funding crisis to avoid all that.
Click here to read the full letter.
On November 4, the CTA is set to eliminate 39 bus routes and raise fares 25 cents to a dollar depending on the time of day and mode of transport.
Pace will be forced to discontinue 10 weekday routes,10 Saturday routes, one Sunday route and 36 Metra feeder routes effective Sunday. All remaining Metra feeder routes will be cut effective Dec. 3.
CBS 2's Mike Flannery and Jay Levine contributed to this report.cbs2chicago.com's Most Popular Pages
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