Comments for CTA budget in decent shape, but ridership starting to slip

CTA budget in decent shape, but ridership starting to slip

2009-08-25T11:00:00Z

Here's another in the continuing series where I read and summarize board reports so you don't have to.

At the halfway point through the year, the CTA is reporting that total revenue exceeds budget by about $6 million, while total expenses are about $30 million less than budgeted. That's after some belt-tightening, layoffs, and furloughs, among other cuts.

This post details some of those cuts. CTA President Richard Rodriguez also told the board that he saved $3 million by:

Deferring budgeted merit increases of abot 3% for non-union employees.
Taking away from upper management pay for the remaining standard holidays.
Forcing vice presidents and above to take three unpaid furlough days this year.

Ridership report. Overall ridership systemwide is up a scant 0.4% through July, compared to the same time frame last year. Bus ridership is down 3 millions rides this year, or about 1.6% down compared to last year. But rail rides increased about 3.7%, up 4.1 million.

Form the report:

"An analysis of July ridership shows that weekday rush period ridership is down on both bus and rail; however, weekday off-peak ridership has increased on the rail system. Weekend ridership on the rail system has also increased."

Comment from michael on 2009-08-25

2009-08-25T14:46:34Z

Could it be because less people have jobs to commute to? I did notice that weekend ridership is also still up. It seems that it's just rush hour that is down.

Comment from R.A. Stewart on 2009-08-25

2009-08-25T15:14:27Z

That's what I suspected too when I saw the figures. Fewer jobs overall, and it wouldn't surprise me if job losses in the city were heavier than in the suburbs.

Comment from Pestilence on 2009-08-25

2009-08-25T16:29:22Z

My explanation is fewer jobs downtown to cause the decreased weekday rush period ridership, and more people taking the train rather than a cab on the weekend because they are either out of a job or are cutting back and don't want to pay cab fare. Also, the parking meter situation is probably playing into that.

Comment from glg on 2009-08-25

2009-08-25T23:40:54Z

Not surprised to see rail up with the brown line mess coming to an end

Comment from MK on 2009-08-25

2009-08-26T03:28:32Z

"Could it be because less people have jobs to commute to?"

Ya think?!

Comment from MK on 2009-08-25

2009-08-26T03:33:16Z

There were a number of other things that also came to an end that undoubtadly had a bigger impact on ridership than the brown line three-tracking.

Comment from michael on 2009-08-26

2009-08-26T14:31:35Z

Actually, I don't think, I'm just guessing. As it isn't stated as a finding. Nor is it mentioned in the article. So yeah, I obviously DO think. I wrote it. Who put you on the horse?

Comment from MK on 2009-08-26

2009-08-26T18:34:30Z

Michael,

Maybe English isn't your first language and you are not aware of our common expressions(though that would be unusual with a name of Michael). But "ya think" is a sarcastic phrase used to make the point that the statement made was obvious.