CTA Threatens Imminent Doomsday, Crappy Lives for Passengers
By Andrew Peerless in News on Mar 10, 2005 4:05PM
Chicagoist feels like we've been reporting on the CTA's budgetary woes for... well, forever. And now, as the agency continues to lumber forward with no guarantee of increased transportation funding from the state, officials are purportedly beginning the selection process from five doomsday scenarious that, in essence, will make life suck royally for all who depend on its service.
These scenarios, as outlined in a lengthy CTA report, essentially outline five different ways the CTA can cut costs sufficently to fill its growing, $55 million budget gap. In a nutshell, they involve pleasantries such as service cuts, fare increases and termination of CTA employees.
Let's look at them, one by one, after the jump.
The first CTA scenario, the "Route Elimination Scenario," would keep all fares uniform and rely on service cuts alone to keep costs down. Sixty-five bus routes would be eliminated completely through this plan, hand-picked for quick death due to low ridership and rock-bottom productivity. Unfortunately, the eliminated routes would primarily affect South Side patrons, forcing some area residents to trek up to four miles to the nearest bus stop. Northsiders shouldn't immediately favor this plan, though: reduced operating hours on most remaining routes and significantly reduced train service would also be implemented across the board.
The joy continues with the "Long Wait Time Scenario," which would retain all existing routes, but essentially double wait times between buses and trains. And we all know what that means: overcrowded vehicles, bus stops and platforms, and general unhappiness all around. Oh, and just for good measure, throw in cancellation of overnight L service, and nix rush hour Purple Line express trains.
Can you take any more? Check your bank account balance as you ponder the "Fares Only Scenario," which leaves all routes and service schedules intact, but spikes fares to "Am I suddenly in London?" levels. Through this plan, bus fares could go as high as $2.15, with train fares skyrocketing to $3.40 (23 and 90 percent increases, respectively). Again, $3.40... that's almost as much as Starbucks charges for that new chocolate drink thingey. This plan also means that Chicagoist's favorite monthly service pass would leap from $75 to over $100, and transfer fares would jump to $0.50. Sigh.....
Two more to go! Meet the "Gridlock and Fare Scenario," a middle-of-the-road compromise that includes service reductions (only thirty bus route eliminations) and fare increases estimated at $0.25. Oh, and overnight el service would go the way of the dodo bird, as well.
Finally, we have the alliteration-heavy "Modified Sunday Schedule Scenario," which is by far the most fun of the scenario names to say. This plan would essentially replicate the CTA's Sunday schedules for the entire week, which means a hearty au revior to 54 bus routes (mostly express), as well as Purple Line and nighttime L service. Riders would likely endure increased waiting times and reduced service hours, as well, which is no surprise to anyone that's waited for a bus on Sunday.
So, there you have it. Chicagoist does feel like a majority of the cuts would unfairly target the South Side, but CTA attorneys are presently analyzing all the scenarios to avoid violations of Title VI protections, which cover public transportation as it pertains to minority and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. In any case, the CTA agrees that all the options are, "bad, very bad."
CTA officials have until next month's board meeting to select a plan. As always, Chicagoist will keep you updated.
Image courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society