Sep 11, 2007 11:48 pm US/Central
Source: Governor Will Help CTA Dodge Doomsday
by Mike Parker
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
A new plan may be in the works to bail out the cash-strapped Chicago Transit Authority, and it comes from the governor's office.
As CBS 2's Mike Parker reports, when rumors began flying Tuesday evening that Gov. Rod Blagojevich was planning to make a bombshell announcement on CTA funding, one of the state lawmakers who's been wrestling with this issue said she wouldn't be surprised if Blagojevich rides in as the hero. It appears she was right.
The CTA has been saying it needs $110 million in state funding to eliminate fare increases and service cuts slated to take effect September 16.
Now it appears that deadline will be extended. A source in the governor's office says that within the next few days, Blagojevich will "offer financial assistance to stave off the CTA's so-called doomsday scenario."
It's unclear precisely where the money will come from, but CTA riders CBS 2 talked with Tuesday night were jubilant.
"Terrific, terrific. Something had to be done," said CTA rider Jennifer Samuels.
"We see the signs posted and we've been talking all week," said rider Sonja Taylor. "There's several of us who live north, at about Belmont and Irving Park. They were cutting out the 136. How were we gonna get to work?"
Under the doomsday plan CTA fares would increase as much as a $1 and 39 bus routes would be eliminated.
Earlier Tuesday, CTA chief Ron Huberman said he still hopes for a permanent solution – the full $110 million.
"Certainly a partial solution would buy some time but what we're seeking from Springfield and what we've always sought is not another one-time fix," Huberman said.
But, don't be surprised if Huberman changes his tune and makes grateful noises at Wednesday's RTA meeting.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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