Welcome! I created this blog to answer some of the questions people have been asking about the CTA's funding situation. We on the board have asked many of these same questions, and we want to help get the word out. So please feel free to send comments or questions to CTAboard@transitchicago.com, and check back regularly for answers and updates to our efforts to increase transit funding. -- Carole
This New York Times editorial from today’s paper is certainly relevant to the transit funding discussion that’s been happening on this blog and elsewhere. I’d like to hear your thoughts on it.
posted by Carole Brown | 11/13/2007 10:47:00 AM
9 Comments:
I think that editorial is just as applicable to Chicago. One of the comments I keep hearing is if drivers are paying higher gas prices then why shouldn't transit riders pay higher fares? Well, trains at least have a natural competitive advantage by not running on gas -- punishing people for making efficient transportation choices just to make drivers feel better about high gas prices doesn't make a lot of sense. We really need to work on educating drivers that their transportation choices are just as subsidized, and they should be thankful that instead of trying to grab more subsidies by short-changing transit riders.
Speaking of funding, the customer service agent at Thorndale this morning (6:45 AM ish) was letting people on without paying - at least the guy she let on thanked her for that.
Omg! I hope you got the badge number of the agenet and immediately reported the incident to the CTA! I've reported bus drivers for pretending not to see people sneak IN through the back door of the bus! The automated annoucement is very true, when someone doesn't pay, we all do.
Speaking of back doors. I know this is one of those things the CTA has probably given up on, but why not have drivers occasionally ask people to exit through the rear doors? There are times when this would speed things up dramatically, and an occasional reminder from a human being is far more likely to have an effect on people's behavior than the automated announcement that comes on at random times (and usually when the bus is moving).
bustracker bump
"Bustracker bump"
Translation?
Transit workers mulling job action over funding crisis
By Lorene Yue
Nov. 15, 2007
(Crain’s) — Transit workers are considering a bold labor move, such as a strike, that would send a dramatic message to state lawmakers who have been unable to help solve a funding crisis.
While labor leaders hesitantly used the term “strike,” they said at a Thursday-morning press conference at RTA offices that an inability to fix the current financial crisis left them little choice but consider a move that would shut down public transportation throughout the Chicago area. No strike vote has been taken or set.
“We have no intention of causing detriment to riders, (but) we’re at wit’s end,” said Rick Harris, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308, which represents rail employees. “Maybe we have to show exactly what a ‘Doomsday' looks like.”
Mr. Harris said that scenario would be streets and rails devoid of buses and trains.
“We don’t want to use the word strike, but it will be some kind of job action,” he said.
Labor leaders were reacting Thursday to the looming Dec. 31 expiration date to approve a five-year plan to reform the RTA’s pension and retirement program. Both the RTA and its labor unions have signed off on the deal; they are just waiting for state legislation to be passed to adopt the plan as part of the RTA’s broader funding plan.
“We got a pension that is rapidly deteriorating,” Mr. Harris said. “Our pensioners will be out of health care (coverage) in three months (without a new funding plan).”
RTA, Chicago and Illinois leaders have been attempting to find a way to plug a funding shortfall in the RTA’s budget. The RTA oversees Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority. Transportation representatives have said that without a solution, public transportation would be cut drastically and thousands of workers would lose their jobs.
“The system is in crisis,” said Jim Reilly, RTA’s chairman. “That isn’t rhetoric. It is reality, certified reality.”
The RTA has warned of layoffs of 2,400 employees on Jan. 20 if a funding fix isn’t found. To comply with the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, the transportation organization would have to file notices of potential layoffs by Tuesday.
Mr. Reilly said he was “encouraged” that a solution could be reached soon in spite of a meeting Wednesday among state leaders that Mr. Reilly called a “sideshow.”
“I do believe leaders and the governor are making progress in this,” Mr. Reilly said.
Anon 2:26:
Translation = Everyone wants to know when their route will get Bus Tracker.
Can't we leave New York out of this? While the CTA faces a similar problem, funding sources and supporting organizations have different philosophies and certainly the systems requiring support are different in their financial needs. And our long term goals as a city are not the same!
The MTA released a statement yesterday describing their updated fare and toll proposal; maintaining the cash prices of a single ticket at $2, while increasing the price of 7-Day and 30-Day passes, and offering a new 14-day pass to riders.
If we copy their homework, we do a disservice to low-income riders who depend on a low rate for the monthly fare here in Chicagoland.
I am for the Times' argument that the state and the city have too long ignored the NEED for public transportation in metropolitan areas. Chicago politicians should be thinking ahead to the 2009 bid for the Olympics. If we can't show that we are able to provide well-serviced, cost-effective and sustainable public transportation, the case for Madrid and Tokyo just gets that much stronger.
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