uh oh, CTA wants to raise fares (school, buses)

[Swandaddy]

Though I would obviously prefer they don't raise fares, what I really want out of the CTA is appropriate funding and management of capital equipment and infastructure! If raising fares actually meant trains that run on time and a system without slow zones, then I'd be fine with that.

[Avengerfire]

Pace wants to raise fares as well.

Pace suburban buses to raise fares 25 cents (http://www.wgntv.com/landing/?Pace-suburban-buses--to-raise-fares-25-c=1&blockID=91588&feedID=1536 - broken link)

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

I don't like to see an increase, obviously, and I think the free-rides-for-seniors thing is stupid and was a total stunt by Gov. Helmet (as do several seniors I know...), but if you look at the price of the monthly pass, it hasn't changed in 10 years... when it went DOWN 13 bucks in 1998. (From $88 to $75)

Press release from Dec 1998 here: CTA | Chicago Transit Authority - CTA Press Releases (http://www.transitchicago.com/news/archpress.wu?action=displayarticledetail&articleid =116809 - broken link)

I really don't think 90 bucks is out of line, considering rising fuel costs alone. (Then again, as a resident of a donor state, I wouldn't cry too hard about seeing some of our federal tax bucks going to the CTA, but now's hardly the time to whine about that...)

yes, from 1995 to 98, the 30 days were $88, and when that's adjusted for inflation, the $90 today would be less than the $88 in 1998.

see i learned something this morning.

i also learned that the new board member appointed by our lovely governor likes to spew the same crap that Blago does, and Huberman got slightly snarky with her. i.e. she sort of said "why can't we wait for a fare increase? the legislation was created so there wouldn't be any! (ever, i guess she assumed)" and he retaliated with "i said into the cameras that there wouldn't be one in '08, i never said anything about '09!" then she said something about how "well you weren't expecting the real estate xfer tax to be so low, maybe things will get better by next year, why can't a fare increase wait???!!!! *cute little look into the cameras in the back of the room*" and he shot back with "well we weren't anticipating the free rides either!" and she said "well, it was in the legislation!" and he said something about the free rides not being there until the last minute, and the same time i muttered under my breath how they weren't there to begin with, and the guy sitting next to me looked at me like i was crazy.

most amusing part of my day, sadly.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by Swandaddy

Though I would obviously prefer they don't raise fares, what I really want out of the CTA is appropriate funding and management of capital equipment and infastructure! If raising fares actually meant trains that run on time and a system without slow zones, then I'd be fine with that.

talk to our legislature about passing a capital bill, since there hasn't been a new one for a decade...

[Avengerfire]

I am curious why they need to raise fares when they are getting increased funds from growing ridership over the last few years as well as money from the sales and real estate transfer taxes for operating expenses. Maybe someone should look into that.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I am curious why they need to raise fares when they are getting increased funds from growing ridership over the last few years as well as money from the sales and real estate transfer taxes for operating expenses. Maybe someone should look into that.

sales tax is about even with what they projected for the '08 budget. the real estate transfer tax is down to about half of what was projected in january, they projected something like $42 million, and what really came in is $22 million, so that is part of the deficit for next year.

[Jesse69]

You don't need CTA when you got a good road bike commuter bike with panniers. I took a 37 mile city bike ride and that took me from North Ave & Western down Elston to DEVON down Devon to the Lakefront down LSD to Downtown back to Wicker Park!

A good road bike can let you cruise 18 to 20 mph if you're in shape!

[Avengerfire]

Omg.

[outsider1]

Nobody would die if they kept the temperature at 75F inside their vehicles in the summer, instead of ridiculous 67F. A whole lot fuel and electricity would be saved.

[lz05790]

Originally Posted by Jesse69

You don't need CTA when you got a good road bike commuter bike with panniers. I took a 37 mile city bike ride and that took me from North Ave & Western down Elston to DEVON down Devon to the Lakefront down LSD to Downtown back to Wicker Park!

A good road bike can let you cruise 18 to 20 mph if you're in shape!

Biking is not for everyone, especially in the city. I'm pretty sure people are aware of the option.