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The STNG Wire contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (CBS) ― Chances for a bailout are drying up as the clock counts down to steep fare hikes and service cuts on the CTA.

As CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports, some state lawmakers thought an increase in the sales tax might be the answer, but that plan has failed to lift off the launch pad.

As many as 100,000 commuters may lose their rides if the CTA implements huge cutbacks it's now planning for Sept. 16, not to mention cutbacks in the suburban Pace bus system.

But the only plan that's currently on the table to avert that dark day for mass transit is in big trouble in Springfield.

Supporters of Senate Bill 572 say raising the sales tax in Cook County and the five collar counties could solve the mass transit funding program.

"It has to pass, unless we're going to see chaos and traffic congestion such as you'd never believe," House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) told CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery.

But Gov. Rod Blagojevich has threatened to veto the sales tax if it passes, and majority Democrats need Republicans help to pass their plan. GOP leaders are refusing.

"Eighty-plus per cent of the people do not ride the RTA, but yet we're going to get this sales tax enacted upon them," Rep. Brent Hassert (R-Romeoville) said. "There's always a crisis. There's always a panic motivation. And I don't think it's not necessary yet."

But the CTA says it is necessary to do something, or else there will be no choice but to enact the "doomsday" plan that CTA riders have been dreading.

"If we don't make these cuts by September 16, we will simply not be in a position to meet payroll by the end of the year," CTA President Ron Huberman said.

Huberman said CTA cash riders can expect to see their normal $2 fares rise to $2.50 for buses and 'L' trains. During morning and evening rush hours on the 'L,' that fare will cost an extra 50 cents, making it $3 to ride.

But there will be 300 fewer buses on the street and 39 fewer routes come rush hour Monday morning Sept. 17, say CTA officials, if the General Assembly fails to act by then to provide new revenues for the system.

The House is set to vote on the transportation bill on Sept. 4, but supporters say they may postpone the vote if it becomes clear they do not have the votes needed to pass it.

If the cuts do go into effect, many riders say they will be hit hard.

"I don't drive and I have to take the CTA, so it's pretty devastating to me," said Lysette Colvin, "especially when your salary is going up and the cost of living is going up and everything, and I have to take the CTA. So I think it's pretty bad."

The original Doomsday Plan is not as drastic as the one originally announced, which would have shut down all service on the Yellow Line Skokie Swift 'L', and the Purple Line Express, which connects downtown Chicago with Evanston and Wilmette.

For the fare hikes likely to go into effect, CTA is trying in advance to ease the pain by waiving the $5 purchasing fee for the Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus debit cards from today until Oct. 31.

"Customers who use the electronic fare media save time and money through speedier boarding times and lower fares," CTA President Ron Huberman said in a news release issued Friday. "If CTA is forced to implement its contingency plan, customers using the Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus will see a smaller increase in fares versus those customers who use cash to ride on the CTA."

Those using the cards or disposable transit cards will only see a 25 cent fare increase during off-peak hours rather than a 50 cent increase.

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