Commended for not threatening service cuts next year, CTA officials also were criticized Thursday for not fixing basic problems like broken light bulbs in subway stations before seeking a 25 cent cash fare increase for 2006.
The comments were made during a public hearing on the agency’s proposed 2006 operating budget at the CTA’s new headquarters on Lake Street.
The proposed $1 billion operating budget calls for hiking cash fares to $2 and eliminating cash transfers, starting in January. The increase would not affect people using unlimited ride passes or a Chicago Card.
Several in the audience, which was smaller than last year’s, when CTA officials threatened massive service cuts to fix its fiscal problems, questioned the fare increase proposal.
The CTA needs to improve service–whether it’s better communication with passengers or putting larger buses on crowded routes–before charging cash-paying riders more, they said.
“Before you get more money, spend the money you have more wisely,” said Kevin Black, 43, of Wrigleyville.
Others expressed concern that low-income riders will be hit the hardest by the proposed fare hike. “They should not be raising fares,” said Adele Barksdale, 52, who lives on the Southwest Side. “Many people cannot afford to get around as it is.”
But CTA officials said the proposal would not increase the price of passes, like a one-day pass that offers unlimited rides for $5. In addition, the CTA is proposing waiving the $5 fee for the Chicago Card and the Chicago Card Plus from Dec. 1 to April 1 and is taking steps to make it easier to obtain and reload the stored valued cards.
CTA President Frank Kruesi cited skyrocketing fuel costs when he announced the proposed fare increase earlier this month.
Aside from raising revenue, CTA officials hope the proposed fare increase will encourage more people to use the Chicago Cards, which save the CTA money in processing costs and speeds up boarding.
Not everyone criticized the plan. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall called it a “reasonable and responsible way to raise revenue.”
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Edited by Patrick Olsen (polsen@tribune.com) and alBerto Trevino (atrevino@tribune.com)
