Mayor Daley on Tuesday again chided the Chicago Transit Authority’s bureaucracy for the way it handled a proposed fare increase but credited the agency’s new chairman for the “give and take” that produced a plan designed to soften the blow for riders.
Daley also voiced what appeared to be tepid support for CTA President Frank Kruesi, who has taken the brunt of the
mayor’s criticism for allegedly trying to ram through increased fares without laying the proper groundwork.
The transit authority’s board on Monday approved a 2004 budget that calls for a 25 cent increase of the $1.50 base fare, but not a controversial ban on round-trip transfers that Kruesi had proposed. The spending plan also provides for free Chicago Cards, waiving a $5 fee for the “smart cards” for customers who register by March 31.
Carole Brown, who was named CTA chairman with Daley’s backing last month, saw to it that changes were made to the original budget proposal after considering input from riders, the mayor said.
Before that, “I think the process was flawed,” he said. “It’s all about the process, allowing people opportunities … to make their presentations, allowing the [CTA] board members to make their presentations.”
Asked if Kruesi learned a lesson, Daley replied, “I hope he did. I hope they all learned a lesson at the CTA.”
Is he satisfied with Kruesi, who oversees the CTA’s day-to-day operations?
“I think so,” Daley replied. “Yes.”
As the budget was approved on Monday, Kruesi warned that he could not rule out a fare increase in 2005 unless the economy improves or the General Assembly changes the formula for subsidies distributed to Chicago-area transit agencies.
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Compiled from RedEye news services and edited by Tran Ha (tha@tribune.com) and Drew Sottardi (dsottardi@tribune.com)
