Aldermen have again been pressing CTA to return conductors to the trains in light of emergency situations, despite the high cost.
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New UC/CTA routes and their maps: http://www.yourcta.com/maps/bus/bus.html

CTA board meets 2nd Wednesdays at 10 am. 547 W. Lake, 2nd Floor. You must contact them in advance if you wish to speak.

Breaking news: IT'S 'NO DOOMSDAY' FOR CTA/RTA/Metra AND SENIORS WILL RIDE FOR FREE AS SOON AS aPRIL AS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSES THE GOV.-AMMENDED TRANSIT FUNDING BILL ON JANUARY 17.The law includes 530 million in property and sales tax increases. Fiscal responsibility, more CTA oversite were included. Seniosr with the rightg cards can ride fee later this year; disabled penalized. There was a separate 10% Metra increase in February 2008. Transit home.

And the other shoe...Many billions of dollars behind in capital needs. Daley's major step:

Daley announces $227 million start on repairs, upgrade in February 2008- demands results by fall 2009, and a state Capital Plan.

From Chicago Tribune Red Eye article, February 15, 2008

Mayor Daley issued a challenge Thursday to the CTA: on-time buses, cleaner and quieter trains, attractive shops in rail stations, and fare machines that accept credit cards. Daley demanded that he start seeing quick results as he announced $227 million project to improve the safety, reliability and comfort of CTA trains and buses.

Although the mayor didn't mention Chicago's Summer Olympic bid, most of the improvements would be completed before October 2009 when the International Olympic Committee is set to name the host city for the 2006 games.

The planned new CTA investment focuses on its most pressing problems, as well as on introducing amenities that would benefit everyday customers as well as visitors from abroad. The top priorities include eliminating "slow zones" on the rail system, overhauling outdated bus and train fleets to reduce equipment breakdown, installing more security cameras and using global-positioning system technology to inform readers about delays.

CTA officials did not consult with the RTA before releasing the latest blueprint for improvements Thursday. The RTA essentially has veto authority over individual transit projects under newly passed state legislation. But RTA officials say they appreciate the mayor's involvement and understand his motivation. "It's going to take a while to turn around the deterioration that has occurred at the CTA," said RTA Executive Director Steve Schlickman.

Daley on Thursday called on the CTA to redouble its commitment to operate a quality system and not relax in the wake of recent passage of new state funding for transit operations. The immediate goal is "improving the customer experience," said Daley at CTA headquarters. "Ours is a 1920s system. It's costly and inefficient."

Rehabbing the emergency exits in the Red Line and Blue Line subway and installing new larger canopies on elevated train platforms, both by December, are among the goals City Hall set for the CTA.

Without a state capital spending budget to help pay for infrastructure, CTA officials said they have no choice except to issue bonds to finance th $227 million project in part. They hope the bonds would be paid off with anticipated future federal transit funding. But a state capital program must be approved no later than early 2009 to safeguard tens of millings of dollars in federal funds earmarked for the CTA, Metra and Pace. That would require the legislature and Gov. Blagojevich to set aside their differences over how to pay for structural improvements statewide. "The state needs to act," Daley said.

Crisis March 2008 over move of #171 stop at University 57th St- Ald. Hairston calls public meeting for April 9, 6:30 pm, Hutch Commons, 5706 S. University.

Hurdles face Frank Kruesi's replacement, Ron Huberman. Resolution of funding, other woes will affect area progress, ability to cope with Olympics. Doomsday is back on the table but less than feared.

CTA in early August found an additional $20 million in cuts, so it can soften the blow of increased fares and reduced service September 16 2007 . There was still hope, but no signal from the legislature as of August 9 that changes or increases in funding would enable CTA to rescind the changes it has voted into effect. Service cuts would be 8 rather than 13 percent. But still 100,ooo rides would be cut as 700 employees are cut off and inter alia 314 bus runs would have service reductions, perhaps making rush hour a snarl. The cuts are $7.5 million, as are the fare increases, while layoffs and a $57 million transfer from capital would complete the revenue gap. But many of the savings are one-time only and pensions are being reformed. So, without structural change, the shortfall will be much greater next year. CTA expects a drop on 100,000 riders as fallout from the cuts.

Service would be suspended on 39 routes (vs. 60) (out of 154) and still includes 19 expresses.
What's reprieved? 13 express routes (not known if that includes the No 2 Hyde Park); Yellow/Skokie; Purple express maybe or day to day, with Evanston Express now adding a stop at Sheridan to ease Red Line pressure in light of reduced service; some late night OWL, expresses, specials to Metra lines. Area route losses would include 28X (impacting the #6), 3X, 4X, part 55(A).

Fares will go up not as much as $ $3.25 but .50 to $2.50 regular, rail non-peak the same but rail $1 to $3.00 rush hour- with lesser increases to card holder (14%), special fares (11-20%), but reduced fares would not increase. The $5 fee for the Chicago Card would be suspended into October but the card still goes up to $2 per ride. .

CTA--and the other agencies? are going for a real restructuring act rather than another band-aid. August 11 Speaker Madigan had said he will take a couple days off then meet with Rep Hamos (bill sponsor), according to the Tribune, "to build the bipartisan support to pass the transit bill in the House." Passage or override of a gubernatorial veto require 3/5 majority.

Here is what Moving Beyond Congestion supports August 10, 2007:

Senate Bill 572 will stop imminent fare hikes, service cuts, and
deferred maintenance for CTA, Metra and Pace

Below, please find links to a summary of the transit funding and reform
proposal transit funding and reform proposal currently pending in the
Illinois House of Representatives and a strong endorsement of the plan
from the Daily Herald.

SB 572 Amendment 3 Fact Sheet

Daily Herald - Transit Funding Endorsement August 10, 2007

Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 572 is a fair, equitable and reasonable
operating funding proposal that balances the transportation needs of
the entire region. We urge you to follow the link below to contact
your legislator and ask them to support SB 572.

http://capwiz.com/rc/utr/1/GSKXHNCYJZ/MDZMHNDASH/1352719301

_______________________

Frank Kruesi's departure as president of CTA, anticipated by many, may or may not remove a perceived lightning rod but leaves many headaches for his successor, Ron Huberman, until now Mayor Daley's Chief of Staff. Kruesi, a transportation professional as well as politician, brought many innovations and a hard headed approach among positives. How will Mr. Huberman will funding and funding changes from the legislature, gain more collaboration with the suburbs and downstate (perhaps in exchange for more accountability and transparency), and refocus on the nuts and bolts needed now and for the South Side future with or without the Olympics? Right now, CTA alone faces c $5.8 billion in capital needs, an operating budget c$110 million in th red, and for a new funding level if even current needs and service are to be maintained, according to RTA. Huberman, 35, promises both belt tightening and "new and innovative ways to deliver service more efficiently. Everything is on the table. Several administrative positions involving $22 million was cut by Mr. Huberman.

Now a real crisis for all the service agencies looms Sept. 16. And Moving beyond congesting and other RTA proposals seem to be getting little play in the legislature. Rep. Hamos says action must be taken- needed for immediate needs is the $54 M for paratransit extended plus $172 M (CTA's annual shortfall is 110 million). We can't keep redirecting capital money, experts say--capital needs are $2 billion annually. Suggested options range from increases in the regional sales tax (quarter percent?), or a tax on services, or new casinos.

Local eliminations that could well occur include #1 Indiana Hyde Park (to clinics such as Michael Reese and Anchor) and the popular #2 Hyde Park Express which circles the neighborhood's perimeter.

Sun-Times "Going Public" columnist Kyra Kyles points to out of date funding as a key cause of CTA's trouble, but also says talk to us--the communities very early and often and on th grounds, show that they listen beyond surveys, board meetings et all--maybe with a "secret rider" program, and to concentrate fixing what they have. In other words, work with riders. HydePark Transit Task force would certainly second all of that. Repeated concerns riders told Kyles: cleanliness, running buses frequently and arriving reliably, control on the platforms esp. when school lets out.

CTA did very belatedly reach a tentative agreement with their unions ( 3 percent or more for 5 years but heavy giveback on health and pension) once it was clear they have to prove to the state that they are being fiscally responsible. The pact depends on their getting not $130 million but $200 million from Springfield (which is again passing a continuing resolution on the budget for one month.)

Doomsday is back on the table for CTA, Metra and PACE.

At the June 13, 2007 public hearing little hope was offered on the $226 million projected RTA shortfall as of July 1. CTA was offering a combination from 4 options for its $110 million share, should the legislature not come through. These options mix fare increases, service cuts, and wiping out capital expenditures. The board's preferred plan would raise fares $1.25 during rush hours and 25 cents during off-peak, raise the monthly pass to c. $122 a month and there would be various service cuts amounting to 15 percent. This would cover 36 percent of the shortfall, with 58 percent from capital and 6 percent from administration.

Many public interest groups are rooting for the measure reported by the Illinois House Transit Committee, which includes a quarter cent sales tax hike for the 3 service boards and more oversight.

CTA directions, news, meetings

RTA has formed "Transit Partners" for it's new "Moving Beyond Congestion" program, the public is invited. But just as the RTA, CTA et al went to the legislature for a basic $10 billion to prevent system degradation 1) a state audit greatly faulted the services on efficiency, leadership, and priorities and 2) the governor decided he wants to fix health, education and pensions first while the city has to gather funds as a last resort backing for the Olympics (which may or may not bring upgrades to transit).

CTA train ridership was up dramatically in 2005, but bus usage slipped some for a net gain. The latter is disturbing and reasons should be surveyed and shared with communities. Also, with train use sure to be disrupted by Brown Line reconstruction, the CTA's funding woes are sure to be compounded.

Slowdowns on trains continue to increase due to inability to keep up with repair needs and flat funding. Yet watchdogs, including a state audit, point to absenteeism, high salaries, bloated bureaucracy, inefficiencies including in procurement, poor priorities including on expansion and getting the last federal dollar and other problems as compounding the woes.

In December 2006 CTA extended for another 6 months the trial period for Pink Line, Blue Line cuts , etc. There are coalitions(Citizens for Transit Justice) fighting to go back to the old way. They have a petition drive. These changes affect many in our area, including those needing to access the west side medical center, juvenile justice, an UIC--so tell CTA your take and suggestions.

Service starts earlier and ends latter on area routes on weekends, especially #14.

The class action suit on lack of availability of the new transit cards in early 2006 has been settled without prejudice. Riders with claims must bring documentation of extra money spent and efforts to buy the cards to Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin LLC 120 S. LaSalle St. Suite #1800, Chicago, IL 60603. For more info visit transitchicago.com.



We awaited with trepidation the 2007 CTA budget, but it apparently did not include a fare increase or service cutbacks--yet it could as there is still ad$115 m gap RTA has not agreed to fill. Already they've spent more on fuel than budgeted ($48m) for all 2006. Fuel costs were said to have triggered last January's 25 cent increase. For 2006, a projected $90m deficit was reduced by $14 from RTA, $27m from paratransit assumption by PACE. The fare increase was supposed to generate $17m leaving $31m in a budget a bit over $1 billion. (CTA estimates its capital needs at about $11 billion presumably including the Circle Line needed for the Olympics but probably not the also-needed Green Line upgrades.) Top

If you note changes (+ or -) in bunching etc. please send comments to hpkcc@aol.com and we will forward, also to Sue Purrington of the 5th Ward Office- spurrington@cityofchicago.org. CTA has put more buses on the #6 and #26 routes and the #6 now starts earlier, at 4:45 am on Saturday. The #15 generally starts at 3:45 am according to Ald. Hairston. Alert on the CTA rapid transit lines. The Sun-Times said in mid-September that there is an unprecedented number of slow zones on all el lines.

CTA has purchased 200 more low-emision busses for $74.4 million to replace aging buses. 276 of these New Flyer low buses are already in service and are said to give 60 percent fewer emissions. And they have the back door that you touch (not always successfully) to have open. But some neighbors complain about buses continually parked and running in the neighborhood.

Complete Street: The regional planning agency's Soles and Spokes division sent out notice of the following City of Chicago notification of policy on total accommodation on the public way:

The City of Chicago released a landmark Complete Streets Policy Oct. 10, mandating for the first time that all transportation users must be accommodated in all transportation projects. According to a multi-agency document issued by the city, the policy is expected to be implemented in a variety of ways advocated by Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and its Healthy Streets Campaign. The policy calls for pedestrian improvements like bulb-out curb extensions for crosswalks, countdown crossing signals, median refuges, and re-timing signals to minimize pedestrian delay and conflicts. To read more, visit
www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=1024_0_16_0_C.

Think ChicagoCard and ChicagoCard Plus. Visit ChicagoCard page.

CTA has averted a strike in 2006 -or rather had it averted by an arbitrator who will rule in summer what will replace the spit-shift rostering method of route staffing. Meanwhile pension costs continue to mount. CTA insists the whole transit pot in the region needs to be increased.

CTA is adding more articulated buses on the lakefront express routes affected by Dan Ryan closures and now provides #192 service downtown from the U of C Hospitals Goldblatt entrance. For other changes being considered see UC/CTA Routes page.

Visit Farehike home and CTA Funding. CTA found it necessary in January 2006 to institute a quarter fare hike and loss of transfers to those using cash rather than cards and virtually double fares for supposedly-subsidized paratransit.

U of C let out its Hospitals-downtown train station shuttle to CTA in February 2006. It is now route #192, rush hour one way from and to Goldblatt entrance, 860 E. 59th St. Now a #174 to 55th Green nd Red Line stations to start fall 2006 as 5 year contract is renewed. Details about these and other changes in the UC Routes page.

CTA had cut planned purchase of buses, rail car overhauls and train signal improvements. Nevertheless, more buses and rail cars are being purchased and coming on line. Backlog and future capital need is estimated at 8 billion.

CTA is getting new satellite guidance for its bus fleet. Many buses are now set up for alternative fuels.

CTA reports ridership up more much in 2005 and 2006.

Congress did increase aid in 2005 for Illinois Mass Transit by 28% (vs national average 45%) but the lack of significant increase for Illinois combined with the end of IllinoisFIRST funds ($260m a year) means a drop in RTA capital allotment this year from $900m to under $500m. If RTA can't scrape together another $125m match to garner a federal $500m, the capital allotment will fall under $100m in 2006. Top

Transit Justice Coalition holds meetings on train slow zones, Pink Line problems, lack of maintenance crews.

The Little Village Environmental Justice Organization has been surveying riders about slowdowns on the Cermak/Douglas Pink and Blue Lines since the beginning of summer. Our latest survey shows that since the Pink Line began, 46% of trips were reported to be longer by an average of 20 minutes. 13% of riders reported their trips take the same amount of time. 33% reported a shorter trip. 8% of the trips were made by undecided riders. Over 70% of people surveyed want the 54/Cermak Blue Line back without a cut in frequency.

Now the CTA has revealed that in addition to the lack of Blue Line trains connecting Cermak to O'Hare, in addition to the slowdowns caused by extra Pink Line trains on the Loop, nearly every rail line on the system is experiencing slow zones due to construction, train traffic, and poorly maintained track. In fact, 18% of the linear track (almost 1 in 5 sections) is under slow zones and there is no way to get it all moving again before the end of the year. Why? Instead of doing necessary maintenance on existing track, the CTA is diverting operating funds to questionable projects like the Pink Line. (see below for links to news articles on this)

With CTA budget hearings around the corner, we may again be facing Doomsday service cuts and fare hikes.
This is NOT AN OPTION for Chicago's workers, students, and families. We need to keep EVERYONE in this city moving.

We invite all CTA riders and community groups to the first Transit Justice Coalition meeting, if you feel you have a complaint with the CTA, want to get back the Cermak/Douglas Blue Line and/or have an idea about cheaper, safer, more efficient public transit for all.
Transit Justice Coalition Meeting

When: 6:30pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Where: Little Village Community Church

2300 S. Millard, Chicago

(accessible from 54/Cermak Central Park Station)

Earlier this summer, CTA President Frank Kruesi justified the $38 million of taxpayer money spent so far on the Pink Line by claiming it would save riders 5, 10, or even 15 minutes. According to the new survey, the average CTA trip is about four and a half minutes longer since the Pink Line began, but those with longer rides have felt the change much more sharply. Now slow downs are paralyzing the entire city, and things are only likely to get worse as winter weather approaches!

If the CTA rearranged spending priorities, they could keep the existing train system running. For example, with the $5 million spent on Pink Line operations, the CTA could hire 3 additional 18 person crews to work on eliminating the system wide slow zones.

We thank all of you who took the time to complete our survey. Now we need to get the word out to the media.
It’s time the CTA Board and President Frank Kruesi act like they care by giving us, their clients, what we want - regardless of our race, income, national origin, or the neighborhood we come from. We need to restore the 54/Cermak Blue Line to pre-June 25 service levels during all hours of the day, and cut back the Pink Line to relieve potentially dangerous train congestion from the Loop.

Route changes and new routes, buses

CTA's 2003 bus reconfiguration, adjusted through 2005, increased ridership and service area, but some think weakened the east-west connections. Service seems to have largely adjusted to needs in Hyde Park, although some still complain of bunching and thinning (especially southbound in the evening) or would like more daytime service to the west Loop, especially if it could run directly to/from the UC campus. To learn the story of the changes and the partial success with community input--including our workshops, start from the Bus Routes Changes homepage and also visit the Transit Task Force pages.

In August 2005 the #15 Jeffery Local bus route went back to Lake Park between 51st and 56th Streets rather than E and S Hyde Park Blvd. and 57th Drive. This has been sought by both local aldermen and the Hyde Park Transit Task Force as well as shoppers/businesses and residents on Lake Park. Moving the route to Lake Park was backed overwhelmingly at a Sept. 2004 hearing. CTA's own studies agreed. It is probably the only one of the the 3 changes the TTF sought that will be enacted. Notice as usual was top-down and tardy.

All buses and routes are now ADA accessible. converted free to Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus through July 31 only. New buses continue to come on line. www.transitchicago.com or 888 968-7282.

In June 2006 CTA announced it is buying brand new small buses to navigate neighborhoods such as Hyde Park with narrow streets. Here they will be used on the UC routes-- see there. In addition to the new 192 downtown express, other remote routes may be changed or added.

Bunching got considerably worse in July and August 2006 on the #6, 14, and sometimes 28. Supervisors are out in force at ward office insistence. Progress and action reports are expected soon. It seems to involve long term and newer drivers as well. Related to Ryan project traffic?? Top

CTA board and other meetings, contacts

CTA Board meets second Wednesdays, 1o am, 547 W. Lake. These are brief, largely pro forma, and non participatory-or have been until now. Only 15 minutes is allowed for comment period at Board meetings. You must sign up in advance by calling Gregory Longhini, 312 321-0394. CTA lets any one person talk only once in six months. So sign up so they won't say nobody cares. An alternative is to pick up/view on their website the press briefs and submit written comments.

The separate committees include Human Resources, Strategic Planning, Capital Construction Oversight, and the Finance, Audit & Budget Committee. For an exact schedule of committee meetings call 312-664-7200 x15026.

Chicago Transit Authority. or www.transitchicago.com. Route and schedule information.
 CTAhelp@transitchicago.com, www.yourcta.com/news/ctaandpress/ (where you can also find press releases),
1 888 YOU-RCTA

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Amenities

CTA's newer kinds of buses seem to be spread more evenly through the system, are ADA accessible, hug closer to the ground for loading and unloading, have enunciators (that are often out of sync with stops ahead and that many think are too loud--the speaker passengers waiting for buses), have good air conditioning.

The city's contracted bus shelters help when there are not too many waiting to board and have CTA maps. Maybe there could be more information about connections or what's at the stops. Some spots that should have the shelters still do not--and there seems to be no schedule for getting them. There have been complaints about advertising inappropriate to children by school and park entrances.

Index of all site pages on CTA

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A service of Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference Transit Task Force/ Transportation and Parking Committee and the HPKCC website, www.hydepark.org. (email) Help support our work: Join the Conference! Join and work with the Task Force- contact chairman James Withrow.

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