The Hubermoon is over. It ended a looooong time ago, folks.
The CTA’s budget woes over the past two years have been so overwhelming, even agency President Ron Huberman has been left grasping for answers.
This week, Huberman and his fellow transit officials proposed a CTA fare hike to balance this year’s budget. Under the proposal, some fares would jump as much as 50 cents, to $2.25 a ride, the Tribune reported. Chicago Card customers would pay $2.25 a ride on trains and $2 on buses, and the price of a 30-day price would rise to $90 from $75.
Yikes.
Although it’s still only a proposal, the plan is just the latest CTA development to frazzle riders’ nerves. Let’s relive them now, shall we?
* Sept. 15
The RTA, which oversees CTA, Metra and Pace, says CTA and Pace riders should expect “modest” fare increases to make up for $190 million in unanticipated 2009 budget pressures.
* Sept. 23
The CTA debuts new digital screens for video advertising on the sides of buses and in rail stations.
* Sept. 29
The CTA partners with a New York company to sell new CTA-branded T-shirts, mugs and other merchandise at ctagifts.com.
* Oct. 2
The head of the RTA assures the City Council Transportation Committee that a small boost in the transit subsidy that the state provided in January will provide stability “for years to come” — a surprisingly upbeat assessment.
* Thursday
The CTA proposes a fare hike effective Jan. 1. “We did the smallest fare increase we thought we could do,” Huberman said.
– – –
Battle of the bands
Deerhoof vs. Chickenfoot
Two animals, two body parts, two bands. San Francisco art-pop group Deerhoof released a new album on Tuesday, only to be upstaged by news that former members of Van Halen and the Red Hot Chili Peppers were combining to form a band tentatively called Chickenfoot. Sounds like RedEye has all the material it needs for a … mini-Faceoff!
In the news
Deerhoof: The Bay Area-based band released its ninth album, “Offend Maggie.” No comment from “Maggie” thus far.
Chickenfoot: Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony are teaming with Joe Satriani and Chad Smith of the Chili Peppers for Chickenfoot. Guitarist Satriani said the four spent a week and a half recording songs. Plans for an album are unclear.
Sound
Deerhoof: Described as “chiming art-pop” that veers in many different directions.
Chickenfoot: “The style is high-energy, kickass rock ‘n’ roll,” Satriani told Rolling Stone.
Band name
Deerhoof: A graceful image — or grotesque, depending on whether or not you assume the hoof is attached to something.
Chickenfoot: Just plain grotesque, dude.
WINNER: Deerhoof gets our seal of approval.
– – –
HEAT INDEX
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Trading stocks
Yes, it’s officially worse than “Surfin’ Bird.”
