Sep 10, 2007 5:09 pm US/Central
Express Bus Cuts Will Affect Longtime Commuters
by Vince Gerasole
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The CTA is warning massive service cuts and fare increases will kick in on Sunday unless Springfield finds more money for public transportation. All this week, CBS 2 will be reporting on how people will be affected.
With the countdown to cutbacks at six days, CBS 2's Vince Gerasole rode of the express buses set to disappear.
By the time early trains pull into Metra stations, the morning is already several hours old for their suburban commuters. But not all are walking a few blocks to offices in the Loop.
The CTA was out Monday morning, warning riders on express routes beyond the Loop to be prepared for their elimination.
The cuts include service linking Oglivie Transportation Center north to Streeterville.
"With winter coming, walking is not something I am looking forward to and cabbing is kind of expensive," said Glen Ellyn commuter Marian Ajamy.
Ajamy's current express ride takes 10 minutes. Alternate local service through the Loop can triple that. A brisk walk lasts 30 minutes. She's expecting to rise earlier to arrive at work on time.
"If I have to walk it, I will," she said. "Right now I get to work 15-20 minutes before my day starts. For me it's going to be more the hardship of the extra hours of the day."
John Forsyth from Lisle feels the pinch in his wallet too. He expects to hail an occasional $10 taxi.
"It kind of sucks cause I'm going to be spending more money and waking up earlier for work every day," he said.
Rising earlier isn't necessarily the answer for these commuters. The suggested alternate is a service that doesn't even begin until 8:30 a.m.
For those working along the river, water taxi service ($2 each way), is a seasonal alternative.
"This is going to be terrible," said "I am going to be walking."
Three of Stephanie Zvirinam's options to reach her Water Tower area office are on the hit list; she's a commuter who's depended on the CTA for 25 years.
"I am angry, I think there is a lot of mismanagement," said
They're the voices of frustration you hear on the CTA's road to tomorrow.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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