We're not safe yet from fare hike or service cuts
The Sun-Times reports today that the PACE system is licking its chops to get a 20% cut of the $54 million that the legislature made available to subsidize paratransit services in the region. The CTA figured it would get the whole pie. However ....
"We were present in Springfield when the bill was being put together and as we understand it, the money was given to the RTA to distribute for the needs of paratransit in the region," Pace spokesman Michael Bolton said."
The CTA begs to differ.
"CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney said CTA boss Frank Kruesi believes the money was "intended to prevent service cuts and fare increases this year." Board chairwoman Carole Brown has said several lawmakers made it clear during legislative deliberations that the state came up with $54 million solely for the CTA."
The saga continues. Stay tuned.
Is this ever going to be resolved?
Posted by: FlowFeel | June 21, 2005 at 10:23 PM
Frankly, I'm not surprised that Pace wants some of the money. After all, they just got handed the responsibility for paratransit services. Sure they had a balanced budget going into session, but that was without the additional services.
The article I saw today had someone lambasting Pace for not asking for more money while in Springfield. I want to know if Pace had any advance warning of the shift in responsibilities to have accurately projected what the remainder of their FY 2005 needs would be. If they were blindsided with the changes to para, how could they have anticipated the additional need that related to its management?
If Pace doesn't get some sort of compensation for taking on para, then I have to seriously wonder about the RTA's commitment to the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
(and by the way I ride Metra and CTA much more than I ride Pace)
Posted by: Jenn | June 22, 2005 at 09:46 AM
Yes. PACE needs the money to install solid gold steering wheels for their empty state-of-the-art high-tech busses.
I would like to see out much they get out of the fareboxes on a typical day. I'll bet it's about $350. They haven't raised their fares since 1989 or so because their frickin' awash in $$$ as it is.
Posted by: e_five | June 22, 2005 at 09:48 AM
Sorry, they're awash in $$$.
Posted by: e_five | June 22, 2005 at 09:52 AM
Did I hear this news correctly on the radio yesterday afternoon. The RTA came out and said the $54mil is not going entirely to the CTA cause if they wanted it to go to the CTA, they would have given it to them directly. Or is this old news..... So I guess the cuts and fare hikes are still on for July?
Posted by: cmama | June 22, 2005 at 09:56 AM
Not knowing the intricasies of Chicagoland transit, I may be asking a dumb question: Was it even possible for the state to give it directly to CTA, or did they *have* to give it to RTA because of the funding hierarchy, expecting RTA to then give it to CTA?
Just when I'd gotten complacent about my work commute again.
Posted by: Robin | June 22, 2005 at 10:45 AM
Well, I just asked Carole. Maybe she'll answer in a week or two.
Posted by: Cheryl | June 22, 2005 at 05:30 PM