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Posts tagged "CTA budget"

Forbes article chronicles how Blagojevich "pillaged" the CTA

With our disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich now in federal prison, it’s instructive to review how he contributed to the CTA’s sad state of financial affairs. A recent column in Forbes reminds us of how Blagojevich demanded free transit rides for senior citizens before he would sign off on the sales tax increase to fund... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
April 16, 2012 at 7:17 pm
• 13 comments

Bipartisan group asks Republicans to reconsider "terrible" transportation bill

Amazingly, Democrats and Republicans are joining forces this week to oppose a terrible Republican transportation funding bills that seriously imperils federal money for CTA expansion and repair projects. U.S. Reps. Dan Lipinski, a conservative Chicago Democrat, and Bob Dold, a North Shore Republican,got together today to urge the GOP to return to the 30-year-old funding... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
February 13, 2012 at 7:42 pm
• 21 comments

CTA asks for rider opinions on various new fare scenario/increases in survey

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The CTA is gathering information via a rider survey about fare payment options it may have to put into place if ongoing negotiations with unions fail to fill the $80 million hole in this year’s budget. I received the survey last week. Below you see screen shots of various fare options on which the CTA... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
February 5, 2012 at 12:50 pm
• 8 comments
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Coming attractions: Redbox movie vending kiosks at CTA rail stations

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After topping off their Chicago Card at CTA vending machines, riders at some rail stations can rent a DVD movie at a Redbox kiosk. The first of two kiosks were installed recently at the Wellington Station on the Brown Line and UIC-Halsted station on the Blue Line. And nine more will be installed at the... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
December 20, 2011 at 6:33 am
• 4 comments

Cook County threatens to cut CTA funding by 66%

Citing financial woes, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle is threatening to cut county funding of the Chicago Transit Authority by about two-thirds, from $2 million a year to $675,000, according to a Sun-Times report. Preckwinkle suggested that the city of Chicago should increase its funding commitment. But methinks she’s barking up the wrong tree: “I... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
November 14, 2011 at 7:05 am
• 7 comments

CTA job cuts, changes in leave benefits set tone for expected union givebacks

The CTA appeared to be setting the stage – and the tone – for upcoming union negotiations in its Monday announcement of 200 jobs cut and reduction of some some vacation and sick pay benefits. About 200 total jobs have been eliminated since July, with two-thirds of the newest cuts coming from filled positions. Many... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
October 11, 2011 at 7:27 am
• 4 comments
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Pressure mounts to dump free rides for seniors

An RTA study released Thursday predicts that by 2030 free rides for seniors and the disabled will cost the CTA, Pace and Metra more than $1 billion. And a Republican lawmaker, State Rep. Suzie Bassi from Palatine, has promised to reintroduce a proposal to restrict free rides to low-income seniors. From the Daily Herald report... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
October 15, 2009 at 10:54 pm
• 15 comments

No extra transfer fee from bus to train

A couple of commenters here this week said it would cost more under the new budget to transfer from a bus to a train to make up for the proposed 50 cent difference in fare between buses (a proposed $2.50) and trains ($3). One person said it costs more now. Just for the record, that’s... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
October 14, 2009 at 7:09 pm
• 13 comments

Low public funding requires high system-generated revenue; thus, big fare hike

In a comment on yesterday’s post about the 2010 CTA budget, Ed rightly pointed out that it’s “very very significant” that the CTA’s recovery ratio — fare generated revenue –  for 2010 is almost 71%. By law the minimum recovery ratio is 50%, but “the significant reduction in public funding forces a recovery ratio for... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
October 12, 2009 at 7:11 pm
• 22 comments
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How the CTA bridged its $35 million budget gap without service cuts or fare hikes

Using a combination of savings on labor, maintenance, fuel and the proverbial “other expenses,” the CTA was able to avoid service cuts and more fare increases in filling another gaping budget hole — this one about $35 million deep. Earlier this year, the CTA took action on the first $155 million gap by both trimming... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
July 15, 2009 at 7:26 pm
• 10 comments