CTA Tattler

Didn't this happen two years ago and all that happened was 2 years of "emergency" funding and they raised the rates a small amount.

And hasn't it been happening every two years for the past decade?

If you seriously think the state is going to pony up a long-lasting solution you are crazy.

In my opinion the smartest thing for the RTA to do is simply follow their schedule should they get "emergency" funding or not. Cut out all of that service and raise the rates as they proposed and lets see how long it takes for the state to react to the RTA's demands.

I am charmed/dismayed to see, that after all we've witnessed in the past year, you are "beginning to have doubts."

If CTA funding is tied to property taxes, and property taxes are 1) already being increased and 2) hurting due to the mortgage crisis, no way on Earth do those legislators want to pile on more taxes. They've already shown that. The only thing that will get their attention is if riders (i.e., VOTERS) start to make some serious noise.

man, with the #144, #145, #146, and #147 buses cut, i'd hate to see how crazy the already insanely packed #151 gets . . .

sarahab -

CTA funding is not currently tied directly to property tax. It's a dedicated portion of the regional sales tax. The bulk of the legislative proposed additional funding comes from increasing the sales tax. A small portion would also come in the form of a real estate transfer tax (paid one time upon the sale of property). To my knowledge there are no plans to tie CTA funding to the semi-annual property tax levy.

Yes, the 151 will be a joke, but how about the Red line? I was at the corner of Sheridan/Bryn Mawr last night for 15-20 minutes chatting with a neighbor. In that time period THREE Northbound 147 buses, the long ones, went by packed to the hilt with riders. This was 8pm on a Sunday night! The Red line will be completely filled to capacity by Wilson. Anyone thinking of trying to get on at Sheridan or Addison at the morning rush, better find another way to the Loop. People at Belmont might get lucky due to the large number of people transferring, but its going to be crazy overcrowded there too. Filled with former 145/146 riders. Considering the LSD express routes serve the largest area of high density in the city, heck anywhere outside Manhattan for that matter, it is scary. If everyone along the lake owned and drove cars, it would simply not work.

I'm all for an organized rally. This can't be the pathetic 200 people, mostly union and disabled people, that showed up for the rally with all the leaders a month ago outside the Thompson Center. It was VERY sad how few people showed up. Giving up one lunch hour wasn't the end of the world people. Anyways, my point is if time and money are going to be used to get a public rally organized, it needs to be at a time and place and HIGHLY publicized. The last one wasn't even in the papers or TV news until after the event happened. Aren't there some grassroots groups in Chicago that will assist in such things? I heard some sort of "neighborhood project" people that will help organize things. Is there any time of transit riders group left in Chicago?

The other option is just to get everyone to make at least weekly calls, fax, email directly to Blagojevich's office. I really think he is the #1 problem right now. Make it so that his office virtually shuts down for the next 3 weeks due to the tens of thousands of calls and email. It needs to be to the point its unbearable and makes it into the media. Overwhelming public outcry. I think its our last hope.

I am depressed to see my bus route will be eliminated in January - great, at the exact time where it will be a huge pain in my cold ass to walk to the train/home. What can we do? I'm very eager to take part in a rally or a march. It's ridiculous we need to fight for basic transit this way.

You know what could be a grea tool for motivation? Update the Trip Planner with January's cuts and put a little checkbox there for "Show me how to get to work if the Legislature doesn't fund the CTA."

Yes, I'd love to see a transit march. It would be great to see riders march home after work down some of the major bus routes, like Clark, Lincoln and Milwaukee. We could carry giant ghost bus banners, appropriate for Halloween.

A rally/march in front of G-Rod's House would be especially great.

Show up in his front yard and let him see how angry the voters of this city are.

Without us, he wouldn't have a job right now.

He's done, politically.

The very least he can do is ensure we can get to work.

I believe we should be writing to the IOC and asking that Chicago's 2016 Olympics application be denied unless the city and state fix the transit funding crisis. I am seriously considering starting an email campaign on Chicago Carless to do this. If any one else beats me to the punch, I will be totally on board.

Rallies are great, but who has the time? I don't have time to hike across the Loop to hang out for an hour or more for a rally in the middle of a business day.

I think we should contact every elected official - including our worthless aldermen who have been noticably silent in all this. My guess is they're laying low because the time has finally come to have meaningful dialog about reducing the number of aldermen we have. They're paid way too much, do too little, and are waste of resources and they know it. Those resources could be directed toward transit or mitigating the looming tax increases.

Mike and all others who keep raising the Olympics issue:

It does not matter.

A week or two ago in the Sun-Times, a reporter asked the head of the US Oly. Com. about whether the current mass transit crisis will affect Chicago's bid. The answer was a very clear no, as the Olympics can meet its relatively short-term transit needs by hiring a private transit company--think shuttle buses and the like.

Really, why would the Oympics care about, say, the Red Line commute to Rogers Park. And I doubt that most visitors flying into OHare will take the Blue Line in, not when atheletes and those here on the dime of corporations will be reimbursed for taxis.

So: Don't hold your breath that anything related to the Olympics will help with mass transit. It is a waste of time. You are better off writing more letters to elected officials and local business leaders.

I read a bit from Peter Ueberroth that said Chicago was at best in 4th or 5th place behind Paris, Rio, Prague, and Baku. Kinda scary that Azerbaijan's capital might be a better fit. 'Course I'm not sure Chicago could survive a visit from the Olympics. I'll be most happy if the IOC chooses some other victim.

I would participate in a rally. Point blank. If it's during a business day, I'll just tell my boss that taking off work that day will guarantee that I'll be able to actually get to work in the near future.

So is anything happening? If there's a march I'll surely spread the word.

Good points about the middle class effects of the cuts. You can add to that an uptick in drunk driving as folks find that the car is their only option after a night at parties, clubs, and fests. It's just too bad that Blogojevich, Madigan, and Jones can't be criminally charged for the deaths and injuries that will result.

Perhaps busy riders could use their commute as a rally.Another tactic would be to try to get Al Gore to shame local politicians into supporting public transit.

James, the only problem with your second suggestion is your use of "shame" and "local politicians" in the same sentence.

What about cuts on the CTA pension and benefits front? What about everyone at the CTA taking a cut?

What about taking some of $40 million in TIF money given to profitable corporations like the Board of Trade, AON and United Airlines and instead investing it in CTA infrastructure?

Let's share the pain and not blame it all on our Governor. I am not crazy about either but let's be fair and make sure that the CTA has cut all it can in its union contracts, pensions and benefits.

Everyone has to take a cut.

And Huberman should lead by example and take a cut as well.

Make the CTA board a pro-bono position with no pay. I think they make atleast $25k now.

You think the President of the CTA should be unpaid? Seriously? This isn't a voluntary seat on your local school board, it's his full-time job.

I retract my previous statement, I see you said "board" there.

I think the guv's here in Chicago on the weekend, which would give most of us the chance to go picket in front of his house without losing time from work. Ravenswood, isn't it?
I would picket Tom Cross & the others, but frankly, even with operating transit, I don't know if I could get to them.

Yup, I know where the gov lives. Right in Ravenswood and he is always there at night, flys home in a private jet from Springfield. That would be a miracle if several thousand people decended upon his quiet neighborhood chanting. I'd also have no problem sacrificing a vacation day for this cause too to do a march, but as I said its got to be REALLY BIG for it to even get attention. Lots of publicity so everyone that can shows up. Let people know this is going to kill property values and their job will probably end up moving to the suburbs. This issue probably has the most power of anything to begin the dismantling of this city. The key is that it get major media attention as "unprecedented public uproar."

I agree with the poster about the fact that CTA president is really difficult and should be paid well. BUt I'd like to see him take a cut to show by example that even the unions need to give something.

Also, the governor needs to be pressured as well.

What I don't think is good:

Blame all of the CTA's problems on others and not reform the CTA.

The CTA needs reform. The cutting hould begin there. Start with salaries the board pays. Does anyone know how much it is today? It was $25 a few years ago.

That's $25k.

The Julie Hamos transit bill is FILLED with madatory reforms for the CTA and RTA! If they would just pass the damn thing, there would be sweeping changes, more oversight by the RTA of pet projects, such as the Block 37 project, you name it. They also gain power to determine if there is duplication of service by Metra, Pace, CTA. And most of all it completely reforms the union's healthcare and pension plans. $11 million a month saved time 12. You do the math. Thats how much the CTA will save in 2008 IF the Julie Hamos transit bill passes. Over $100 million in reforms in that area alone is nothing to shake a stick at. There is a lot the CTA cannot reform by law such as union mandated things unless the general assembly passes the new legislation. We are being held hostage by the general assembly and the governor people! Its all up to them. Even if a miracle happens and they fix the mess in time, personally for me they have already done so much damage and caused so much undue stress to thousands, I will not forget in 3 years when I'm voting.

Here it is:

I guess it was defeated but may return if people call their representative.

Mass Transit Funding and Reform:

Senate Bill 572

Transit Operating Revenues and Expenditures – A Regional Solution to a Regional Problem

Revenues: Increased operating funds to address the current financial crisis and provide stable funding for the future

1/4 of 1% sales tax increase to be imposed by RTA in 6 northeastern IL counties ($280 million)
Up to 3/10 of 1% real estate transfer tax (RETT) to be imposed by Chicago Mayor and City Council ($100 million)
Continuation of state funding toward paratransit services for disabled riders – computed as an additional 5% match on all revenues, effective in FY08 ($54 million already in introduced budget)
25% traditional state-funded match on new revenues (phased in: -0- in FY08, 12½% in FY09, 25% by FY10)

Expenditures:

Closing the operating funding shortfalls for mainline service at Metra, Pace and CTA: Metra and Pace to receive 52% of new sales tax revenue generated in the region (respectively split 39% and 13%); CTA to receive 48%
CTA to receive all Chicago-imposed RETT for pension and retiree healthcare costs
Funding for $100 million ADA-mandated paratransit services for seniors and disabled provided by Pace
Funding for new $20 million Suburban Commuter Mobility Fund – flexible services provided by Pace
Funding for new $10 million RTA Transit Innovation, Coordination and Enhancement (ICE) Fund
Metra to receive new authorization for $1 billion of revenue bonds, as approved by the RTA Board

County Transportation Assistance:

In 5 collar counties: additional 1/4 of 1% sales tax increase, imposed by RTA, to be used at each county’s discretion for local road and other transportation projects ($120 million)

RTA Reforms – An Integrated and Accountable Regional Transit System

To achieve a coordinated, efficient and accountable regional transit system, and to implement the Auditor General’s recommendations, RTA has new responsibilities for regional planning, fiscal oversight, and fare and service coordination, including:

Adopting and updating strategic plans that outline service, fare and ridership goals, set performance measures and reporting standards, and establish criteria for evaluating proposed capital projects
Adopting consistent formats, financial practices and assumptions that Service Boards must use in preparing annual budgets, and including details of pension and benefit expenses
Authorizing RTA to withhold up to 25% of revenues until a Service Board budget is approved
Requiring RTA to conduct management, performance or financial audits at least once every five years
Requiring RTA, as an objective analyst, to do “alternatives analysis” for any newly-proposed transit expansion projects with construction costs of over $25 million where potentially more than one Service Board could be the provider of the proposed service
Requiring RTA to develop a coordinated regional sales, marketing, advertising and public information program for all transit in the region
Authorizing the RTA to settle disputes between Service Boards regarding fare coordination, transfers, service coordination, and duplication of service

RTA and Metra Governance Changes – Promoting Regional Representation and Consensus

RTA Board of Directors changed from 13 to 16 members:

5 from Chicago: all appointed by Chicago Mayor (currently 4 by Mayor plus CTA Board Chair)
5 from Cook County suburbs: 1 appointed by President of Cook County Board, 4 by suburban members of Cook County Board (currently 4 by suburban members of Cook County Board)
5 from collar counties: 1 each appointed by DuPage, Lake, Will County Board Chairs, 1 appointed jointly by DuPage, Lake, Will County Board Chairs, 1 jointly by McHenry/Kane County Board Chairs (currently 1 by DuPage County Board Chair; 2 others jointly by other 4 counties)
16th is RTA Board Chair selected by other members (from outside); supermajority requirement over most Board decisions changed from 9 to 12, promoting regional consensus

Metra Board of Directors changed from 7 to 11 members:

1 from Chicago, appointed by Chicago Mayor (as currently)
5 from Cook County suburbs: 1 appointed by President of Cook County Board, 4 appointed from suburban subregions, by Cook County Board suburban members in those subregions (currently 3 by suburban members of Cook County Board)
5 from collar counties: 1 appointed by each collar county chair
Metra Board Chair selected from among the members by a supermajority vote of 7

CTA and Pace Board of Directors are not changed

CTA Pension and Retiree Health Care Reforms – Long-Term Protections for Employees and CTA

To stabilize the CTA pension and retiree health care system, landmark reforms are adopted, endorsed by the RTA, CTA, unions, Mayor Daley and all business and civic groups, including:

Increasing contribution rates for both employees and the CTA
Changing benefits to reduce costs, e.g. increasing retirement age for full benefits from age 55 to 64
Authorizing a $1.45 billion pension obligation bond, shoring up the pension system ($1 billion) and seeding a new Retiree Healthcare Trust ($450 million)
Creating a self-sustaining Retiree Healthcare Trust, funded by bond proceeds, 3% payroll tax for all active employees, annuitants to bear up to 45% of costs
Adding an additional independent vote to each of the Retirement Plan and the Retiree Healthcare Trust
Adding fiscal oversight by the Auditor General regarding bond issuance, required annual contributions

Minority, Female and Citizen Participation – Transit Policies Reflecting the Entire Region

Requiring RTA and each Service Board to create a diversity program to promote diversity in employment and contracting
Requiring CTA to adopt minority/female procurement program for underwriting and financial services before issuing bonds
Requiring specific public meetings and hearings for RTA strategic plan, proposed budget, financial plan and 5-year capital program

Downstate Transit Operating Assistance – Supporting Transit Statewide

Increasing operating assistance for all downstate transit agencies and new rural program, at about $27 million in general revenue funds beginning in FY09 (additional $10 million immediately)
Creating new fund for competitive capital grants beginning in FY09 (about $11 million in general revenue funds)
Requiring minimum local match; allowing extension of transit service to contiguous counties
Requiring Illinois Department of Transportation to promulgate rules on eligible operating expenses

Its a miracle!!! Finally news that Daley's cherished Olympics might be dead if the transit system shuts down partially. Who would have known. A transportation conference for the Olympics just days before the doomsday. Thats going to make the State look horrible to the IOC if they don't pass the bill at the end of October. Good thing the Feds are saying no way to a federal bailout or transit funds if the State isn't willing to put up their share too. People from the RTA are scheduled to testify about what is being done or planned to increase transit and get ready for possible Olympics. There is NO WAY they can get up in front of the IOC just a few days before doomsday and not even mention the impeding crisis. Its going to make the general assembly, the Governor and the Mayor look very foolish to be even bidding. I think it was someone that didn't know what they were talking about when they said a broken/shut down transit system in years preceding the Olympics would have no impact on a bid city a few weeks ago. Please, Madrid's airport line, which is FAST, was timed to the second by IOC officials when they were bidding. This was compared to London's Heathrow express travel time. I'm completely sure it matters a whole lot. Considering the one Olympics that had a transit meltdown of sorts was in this country...in Atlanta...they are well aware of lack of transit in this county.

Now, if the media keeps publishing articles like this on the front page over the next 2-3 weeks, this might be just the push to get the ball rolling.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-olympics_16oct16,0,638210.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout

They Olympics don't need the CTA. Perhaps if it were the 2008 Olympics, and the CTA was already a part of the plan it would be different. But at this point in the game, the transportation plan for the Olympics hasn't even been started. And once they start it, the very, very minor role that the CTA would have played in it is easy enough to outsource elsewhere.

However, the CTA *is* essential to the economy of the city. Without the CTA, Chicago could quickly become a more densely populated version of Detroit. If the city, not just the CTA, is in shambles, then the Olympics are in danger.

To clarify, all this Olympics talk tied to the CTA Doomsday is just indirect, and irrelevant. It's just that kind of pre-occupation with irrelevant issues that has got us to this point.

To clarify further: Forget about the Olympics. It has NOTHING to do with the immediate issue at hand, and little to do with any long-term plans, either.

The issue is stable funding for the CTA -- and the RTA, for that matter -- is needed. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The most successful public transportation systems in the country rely (at least in part) on an employment tax.

An employment tax (not an income tax) is tied more directly to the needs of the system's operating expenses than any other kind of tax. The revenue goes up and down somewhat in sync with the needs of the system.

Unlike a sales tax, it's not regressive. That is, the poorest do not pay a larger portion of their income than the more well-off. Unlike a property tax, it's not tied to property values which fluxuate not in sync with the transportation needs of the region. And unlike farebox reveue, the costs of accounting for the revenue doesn't go up as revenue goes up. Also, unlike a fare increase, a major chunk of the possible revenue increase isn't eaten-up by lower demand.

And most importantly, once the funding is in place, the periodic trips to Springfield to get Johnny Hayseed, (R-Downstate), to understand that Chicago's economy is important to his John Deere-riding rednecks becomes a thing of the past.

Even if Doomsday is somehow averted (again) this time, relying on the ability of downstate legislators to understand how things work is not a viable plan.

I'm glad to see all the train station shuttles on the list of routes to be cut. Maybe the pandering suburban lawmakers will decide that they need to pander to their constituants who are going to be stuck in the monsterous traffic jams on all the freeways as people abandon the train.

Doomsday is going to cost the Chicago economy far more than what it would cost to save the day. I sincerely hope that something can be done before the carnage begins.

As for the people who won't have time for a rally, the time it would take to attend one rally now is nothing compared to all the extra time you'll have to waste each and every day after Doomsday. If you can't spare an hour or two now, how will you manage to spare an hour or two each day once Doomsday hits?

So screw the Olympics red herring. It's the WMD of this issue. Instead, wake-up to what is happening NOW, and what will happen to the city's economy, rather than some games planned for years in the future. Talking about the Olympics is nothing more than a distraction from the real issues. Don't fall into that trap again.

"To clarify, all this Olympics talk tied to the CTA Doomsday is just indirect, and irrelevant."

Not so:
Chicago Tribune Oct. 16:

Mass-transit crisis could complicate city's Olympic prospects.

See:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-olympics_16oct16,1,2672172.story?track=rss

I can't help but be annoyed with the CTA and not the legislators. I just wonder what could ever come out of more money for them when they are so incredibly, appallingly inefficient and every few months they go through these scare tactics to get a little more money, but never actually fix the problem. Why don't we have a city income tax like other cities? That money could pay the CTA. Why don't we not let people eat on there, then we wouldn't pay people to clean up after them? Why do we have some bus stops 30 feet away from each other? Why can't the trains ever come on time? Why can't the busses avoid bunching together?

I've ridden a number of European cities' (and Mexico City should be included here as well) public transit systems, underground subway trains, busses, trams and they are ALWAYS on time, there are even electronic signs that tell you when the next one is coming and NO one hauls ass from the top of the street when they hear the rumbling of a train, they don't even run when they're on the stairs because they can count on another one coming five minutes later.

I just know that even if this passes they'll be crying 6 months later about more money and keep getting more and more poorly managed the whole time. I almost wish they'd lose all money and have to start all over; that the city and the state would start from scratch with management that knows what they're doing and knows how to hire and train employees as well.

I would absolutely participate in a rally, provided I could get the time off. This is too important for me to just sit back and hope someone else fixes it.

"I almost wish they'd lose all money and have to start all over; that the city and the state would start from scratch with management that knows what they're doing and knows how to hire and train employees as well."

Be careful what you wish (or almost wish) for. I think we've seen the city and state in action enough to know that the last thing they'd do, if matters came to that pass, is start from scratch and do it right.

mhaller, again, you are marching in a parade of the misinformed. I suppose you'd probably like an independent audit of the CTA, right?

Technically, the Governor lives in Albany Park, actually the eastern rich enclave of Albany Park called "Ravenswood Manor."

It is not Ravenswood (it's west of the North Shore Channel). But no one in Ravenswood Manor thinks of themselves as from Albany Park.

Anyway, it's a few blocks off the Francisco Brown Line stop.

Mhaller:

1.They don't let people eat on the trains. Did you know that? If you are wondering why there is still eating when there is a rule against it is because people sometimes ignore rules. I don't know how else to state the obvious. It's not going to be prevented unless they have a staff member on every car (needless to say, that would cost quite a bit more than paying janitors to clean up and would be a huge waste of taxpayer money). This is just stating the obvious.

2. I don't know how long you have been taking the CTA but they have reduced the number of bus stops by quite a bit over the last several years. They are very rarely less than 2 fairly long blocks from each other and are usually seperated by three. I have no idea what you are talking about with 30 feet (the only place I have seen that comes close to that is the block just west of the Clark/Division Red line station where for some reason there is one stop in the middle and one at the end of the block but this is a rarity).

3. How exactly would you suggest they prevent bus bunching? It is going to happen no matter what. Many routes run very frequently and carry many passengers on busy streets. I'm really curious, since you seem to act like a know-it-all, how you would make "busses avoid bunching altogether". Are you a magician? There definetely are times when I see busses bunched and think that it should be prevented (such as three or four in a row on a route where they are not supposed to run very often), but to say that it can be avoided althogether is absurd.

4. Is your "why can't the trains run on-time" a serious question? Hmm, let me think about that. I don't know, maybe the fact that there are many slow zones and construction projects right now might have something to do with trains being late.

5. The CTA has said that they want a long-term solution and the bill that the house voted on a few months ago does that. Do you think they are lying when they say that would cause them to not have to keep asking for more money? Or were you unaware of that?

"Mass-transit crisis could complicate city's Olympic prospects."

You should read the story. The headline is misleading, and the operative word is "could". The people who are theorizing that it "could" have an effect aren't really offering any reasons why it would.

The Olympics don't need the CTA. They just need buses and bus drivers, and roads for those buses to take between places. Some *might* come from the CTA, but most are going to be buses (and drivers) imported by private contractors from all over the country.

When the Olympics were in LA did it matter that public transportation there is a joke? Of course not! The Olympics don't depend on the local transit authority for their transportation needs!

Relating the CTA crisis to the Olympics is a red herring that will take our attention away from the real problems of the CTA. If you keep focusing on the Olympics, what will happen is that at some point it'll become apparent that the CTA will be adiquately funded to meet the needs of the Olympics (which are minimal at best), and then people will start declaring that the CTA crisis is over.

But it won't be over!

If people keep relating the CTA crisis with the Olympics, the CTA problem will not be resolved. The CTA needs to be able to support the needs of the city, day in, and day out. Suplimenting access to the Olympics (which will build it's own temporary transit system from scratch regardless of what the CTA does) is not, and should not be the goal of providing funding for the CTA. They can already meet that goal, despite the theorizing of the people quoted for that article.

Again... If you want to work to resolve the CTA funding crisis, don't even mention the Olympics. The Olympics are a distraction from solving the problem. They are irrelevant to any discussions about CTA funding despite a couple of misguided, distracting articles in the newspaper. (Especially if you only read the headlines, and don't read the whole articles, or give any critical thought to what the story is really about.)

mhaller, I don't know where to begin.

First, a city income tax? That assumes that the CTA stops at the Chicago borders, but it does not. Who would pay for the CTA's suburban service? Since all of our transit systems are interconnected, who would pay for Metra? A regional solution really does make the most sense.

Bus bunching is going to happen. I've seen it in NYC. In any congested area, it's inevitable. I'm sure technology could reduce, but not eliminate it.

As for running for a train, everyone has done it. If there's a train in the station or close by, I always go for it. But even with all the construction, you never have to wait more than 5 or 6 minutes.

Look, I ride the damn thing everyday and have for 13 years. It's far from even mediocre, but I really do believe that Huberman and increased funding will take care of a lot of your peeves. You can compare it to Europe, but my friends there will tell you that their systems have their quirks too - and they pay far more than we do for them.

Yesterday I read all the news about Alderman Tom Tunney’s ticket for using his cell phone in the car and a giant bright light bulb went on above my head. That's it! Let’s use increased car related fees as the way to fund the regional transit systems (CTA, Metra, and Pace).

Let's increase the ridiculously low car registration fee (license plates) from $40 to something more reasonable like $100 with the difference going to transit. Let's increase the cost of a cell phone violation from $50 to $150, encourage the police to crack down, and then use the difference for transit. See? There are many fees that can be increased, such as drivers license renewal, parking violations, etc.

It makes sense having "cars" pay transit riders to keep off the streets and because they are fees and not (technically) taxes the increases are pretty safe for politicians to support.

...okay, now go ahead and shoot holes in my idea....and then we can send it to the legislature.

Patrick,

I like all of those ideas actually. However, they alone would not be a solution since the revenue streams some of them would generate would not be predictable or steady. That said, I say increase car related violation fines and give the CTA the difference.

At this point, the funding gap is so critical, it's tempting to accept any money regardless of the source.

An increase to car registration fees is good in the sense that it's a transportation related tax to support transportation. But you'll never get downstate legislators to impose such a fee on cars registered outside the RTA's territory, and the money raised would barely put a dent in operating costs.

Also, the revenue generated would be in inverse to the needs. That is, as the need for transit service (and operating revenues) increases, the number of registered vehicles won't have a coresponding increase.

Diverting fines and forfietures to a specific program doesn't sound like a good idea. If it's not already something that's not allowed, it ought to be. The court system shouldn't become responsible for generating revenue goals.

But then again, the need for the money has gotten so great, I'm sure that some of us could be get behind a tax on just Girl Scout Cookies if it saved our bus.