Sep 10, 2007 12:40 pm US/Central
Less Than A Week Until CTA's 'Doomsday'
CBS 2's Joanie Lum and Kristyn Hartman contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Commuters get ready for havoc. A week from Sunday, the CTA says it will put it's doomsday plan into action, since it didn't get any money from the state.
But the CTA is still trying to push state lawmakers for more funding.
Riders on 39 bus routes will hear a warning that the CTA's doomsday plan is coming. In one week, the CTA will cut service and raise fares. The cash fare during peak hours will be $2.50 for a bus, $3 for the rail; and more than 600 CTA employees will be laid off.
CTA officials say CTA funding has not kept up with inflation and their $110 million budget deficit will only get bigger if the state doesn't boost funding.
"I cannot express enough how much we regret having to move ahead with these cuts. These cuts and fare increases will hurt everyone – our riders, those drivers who will see greater congestion and our employees," said CTA President Ron Huberman.
"Our riders are mad," said CTA Chairman Carole Brown. "We continually ask riders to contact state representatives and senators, our governor and tell them how important public transportation is to them."
"I know the CTA is not getting enough money," said CTA rider Arina Ivanova. "The government should be concerned and helping them out."
"They need a budget to not have to raise fares," said CTA rider Charles Jones. "That's going to hit people hard."
"You know, it's hard for the average person like myself to be able to keep up with, I guess, the inflation that's going on in the City of Chicago," said Edjuan Payne.
Raising fares costs money, $2 million to reprogram fare boxes and rail system machines.
If lawmakers come up with funding, CTA officials could rescind the doomsday plan, reverse the fares, restore service and call back laid off employees. And they predict that process could cost an additional $2-$3 million.
The Senate is scheduled to consider mass transit funding in a special session on Sept. 17, the day after the CTA raises dares and cuts services.
CBS 2 has a week of special coverage on how the new fares and schedules will effect riders. Watch "Countdown To Cutbacks" starting Monday at 6 p.m.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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