Local News

CTA Fare Hikes, Job Cuts Planned For 2009

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Public transit customers could be paying up to $2.25 a ride if a proposed fare increase is accepted. The Chicago Transit Authority released its 2009 budget recommendations Thursday. Citing the economic downturn, higher fuel prices and the unexpected cost of free and reduced fares mandated by the state, the agency is also planning to cut 632 jobs.

Fares will also be increased for CTA passes, for the first time since 1998, according to a release from the agency.

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports that bus ridership is the highest it's been since 1994 - and more people are taking the train than they have since 1967. But CTA President Ron Huberman says none of that matters. Other factors make this hike a necessity.

"Today is not doomsday," Huberman said. "It's a tough budget year."

And that's why - come January - Huberman says you'll pay at least 25 cents more every time you ride a CTA bus or train. It's one of the necessities, he says, to help get Chicago's Public Transit System out of a $42 million budget hole.

"This is it, in essence, unless the CTA board chooses to make a change. But we are not going back to Springfield for any legislative change," Huberman said.

Huberman blames the budget deficit on several things, including skyrocketing fuel and energy costs, lower than expected tax revenues and free rides for people, including seniors, something Governor Rod Blagojevich mandated last year. Huberman says free rides for seniors alone cost the CTA $26.5 million.

"It was irresponsible to provide something for free without any determination on people's ability to pay for it," said Laurence Msall, The Civic Federation.

Huberman says the agency isn't only raising fares to balance its budget. It will also eliminate 600 jobs. He says the good news, though, is there will be no cuts in service. Still, some riders say the fare hike is gonna hurt.

"It's gonna be rough, but I'm gonna find a way," a CTA customer said.

"That adds up over time, especially if you take it every day. It's gonna be hard on everybody," another CTA customer said.

But others say, overall, public transportation is still their best option.

"I think a quarter increase is still pretty much a bargain," a CTA customer said.

"They gotta do what they gotta do, it's still cheaper than gas," another CTA customer said.

The proposed 2009 budget is $1.324 billion - $115 million higher than in 2008.

The CTA's proposed 2009-2013 capital improvement program has a total budget of $3 billion, most of which will go toward eliminating slow zones, overhauling replacing the fleet and repairing the system, according to the release.

Reduced fares for students and the disabled will not be affected. There will be a public hearing on the proposed 2009 CTA budget on October 29th at CTA headquarters downtown.

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