Chicagoist: CTA/RTA Talk Doomsday 2: The Doomsdayening

enneyekay

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:33:03 -0600

Anyone complaining about a gas tax contributing towards public transit infrastructure needs to either fork over a refund for the insane amount of money state and federal subsidies have cut out of the real cost their automotive activies over the years, or they can shut up. Things are interdependent, the end.

ophmarketing

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:57:01 -0600

It's been brought up before, but I'd much rather see a London-style 'congestion tax' enacted here.

Stealth

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:53:49 -0600

As an occasional driver in Chicago, I have no problem with a slight tax on gas... as long as they don't get crazy with it. I guess I'm what you call a hybrid commuter: most times I ride the bus, occasionally I drive to work, sometimes I do both (special circumstances). So I guess I would be benefitting myself to pay a bit more. But I see incndnz's point. It's like the continual taxes that were added to the habits of smokers and drinkers. They were (and are) expected to fund so much.

Matthew Milam

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:47:38 -0600

I'm sorry but not everyone in Chicago is crazy about trying to drive in these streets. I've always felt driving a car bore too much expense on an individual, especially if that individual doesn't do that much driving. People may not be fond of the CTA and bus riding in general, but unforunately some of us need it. If the car drivers who've been driving in coffins most of their lives would understand that, we couldn't have this class issue of car drivers vs. bus riders. Everyone who is a car driver is a check away from being a bus rider. Perhaps they should understand that.

incndnz

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:45:20 -0600

Ok, fair enough, I get that "everyone" benefits from the CTA existing and operating, so, why shore up the CTA budget with taxes on something that not "everyone" purchases? That's more to my point.

matilda

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:04:00 -0600

Were the CTA to shut down, Karl, many of the low-level workers who support other jobs (cleaning, food service, health care) would have few ways to get to work, causing significant harm to the economy, also causing drivers to moan. Yes, I know many drivers have those jobs, and that many mass transit riders have higher-level jobs, but that's just one example of why people need to look beyond their tiny little selfish interests when it comes to policy. It is so tiring to hear the arguments about I-don't-use-it-so-why-must-I-pay. I don't use Social Security. Or most national parks (funded with more than user fees). Or ... well, people should get the point.

Karl Klockars

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:47:54 -0600

I know that the free rides have been discussed for elimination. I'm pretty sure it's on Pat Quinn's radar. That said, every time the discussion about taxes going to the RTA comes up people ask why drivers might have to subsidize it. Every rider on the El, CTA buses, PACE buses and Metra riders benefit the roadways in terms of less wear and tear on the roads, not to mention all those bus/train riders not clogging the freeways during rush hour. Were the CTA to shut down (which is a threat that gets bandied around every now and again), the increase in traffic would have drivers begging to pay for it to have it return. Public transportation benefits far more people than just those sitting on a train or a bus.

incndnz

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:35:23 -0600

You know, the other day when a gas tax was discussed, lots of people on here said "good, great, let the people who use the resource (i.e. drive) pay for the road/capital projects." I wonder how drivers will feel being singled out to subsidize a service they, by definition, don't depend on. (To explain, if you are a driver, you have another option, even if it's not the cheapest/best or particularly realistic one.) I wonder if they could tax something else instead? Like entertainment or something? As far as the environmental concerns go, I AM in favor of a gas tax, but part of the reason I pay for parking and drive to work is because I have such a general disgust of the CTA and the way it is run. Anyone have thoughts on rolling back the free rides for seniors?