The CTA got the word out during the weekend — more fervently than intended — that its doomsday scenario has been postponed until at least November.
But rather than gratitude, riders Sunday expressed skepticism of the agency’s management and said the dire warnings of inflated fares and slashed routes are growing tiresome.
Some said they understand the agency faces a budget shortfall, but they wondered if the CTA might be able to find savings within its own operations.
“It’s what they do with the money they have that concerns me,” said Grace Graham, 58, of Rogers Park as she waited to board the Red Line at Berwyn. “The government needs to step in and do an audit. If they are doing the right thing, they need more funding. If they’re not doing the right thing, they need to clean house.”
The CTA had said the shortfall could lead to 39 bus routes being cut starting Monday and fares climbing by up to $1. But the RTA board on Friday approved a cash advance on money the transit agencies were to receive in 2008.
The measure, proposed by Gov. Blagojevich, will stave off this week’s fare and service changes, but without new funding, the move would plunge the transit agencies into a deeper financial mess next year.
While riders say the agency has been effective getting out the message that it needs more money, even the slightest fare increase would sting, Graham said.
“It would be difficult for me. I have a lot of medical problems and expenses,” she said. “A lot of people without much money depend on the CTA.”
Dan Reynolds, 22, a DePaul University student who lives in Andersonville, said he couldn’t stomach the thought of having to pay $3 a ride. Signs on buses and trains explaining the shortfall have made him sympathetic to the CTA’s plight, but he said he would like more bang for his buck.
“Paying $3 to ride six stops would [bother] me,” he said. “I’ve been to San Francisco and the [Bay Area Rapid Transit], and it’s awesome. You can’t hear it, and it’s clean.”
The General Assembly, which has put off pleas from the RTA to come up with a comprehensive solution to fund mass transit, now has a month and a half to act or allow service cuts and fare increases at the CTA and Pace to begin.
In preparation for Monday morning’s rush period, CTA crews spent the weekend removing signs at bus stops and rail stations warning commuters about the fare hikes and elimination of 39 bus routes. Many of the signs, particularly on bus routes, remained on Sunday, however.
Officials and leaders of the bus drivers union also were alerting about 630 employees who received layoff notices two months ago that they should show up for work as usual Monday.
The CTA also had problems with its e-mail alert system during the weekend, as Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus customers got three e-mails from CTA President Ron Huberman.
“I know that you are frustrated about the potential service cuts and fare changes. So are we,” Huberman wrote. “That is why we are again asking you to join with us and tell our state leaders: ‘No more doomsdays. Fix mass transit.’ “
