Transit cuts, fare hikes could hit Schaumburg
A series of service cuts and fare hikes await public transportation riders in the Schaumburg area.
The village's transportation committee is recommending changes to the Schaumburg Woodfield Trolley, Lunchtime Shoppers Shuttle, taxi rides for the seniors and disabled and the Dial-a-Ride program.
"It's no secret the economy is in rough shape," said village senior transportation planner Richard Bascomb. "We had to take action."
However, a bus route once at risk of extinction appears safe. Officials support renewing an agreement for Pace to fund half the cost of operating Route 554, which has an annual ridership of about 32,000. The rest comes from Schaumburg's partnership with Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Elgin and newcomer Hanover Park.
The bus would be rerouted from Schaumburg Road between Barrington and Irving Park roads, instead running south along Barrington to the Hanover Park Metra station. It would then continue along Lake Street, Park Boulevard and Irving Park before rejoining the original route at Irving Park and Schaumburg roads near Elgin.
Among other proposed changes:
• Beginning next year, reduce the number of Schaumburg Woodfield Trolleys in service Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Extended holiday service has already been eliminated. If both changes carry over, the village could save about $500,000 over the next two-plus years.
• Eliminate the trolley stops at Sears' upper level at Woodfield and at the circular drive entrance at Roosevelt University. Riders could still flag down the trolley on Roosevelt Boulevard or McConnor Parkway. The stops make up less than 3 percent of riders.
• Limit participation in the senior and disabled taxi service to low-income riders. There's been an unexpected surge in usage following the RTA's Seniors and Disabled Ride Free programs.
• Eliminate Martingale Road service on the Lunchtime Shoppers Shuttle and double one-way fares to 50 cents. The shuttle, popular with office workers, gave 42,000 rides in 2007, but the Martingale Road route has provided just about 500 rides this year. The change would save the village more than $350,000 through 2013.
• Increase Dial-A-Ride fares from $1.60 to $2 for full fares and 80 cents to $1 for reduced fares. Despite an estimated savings of $476,000 through 2013, the committee voted against the village manager's recommendation to eliminate Saturday service all together. They cited the many riders who depend on the route to get to work. Saturdays provide about 10 percent of the program's 80,000 rides.
• Finally, the board will consider contributing $20,000 toward a transit study. The RTA already approved an $80,000 grant. One idea committee members want examined is placing ads on Pace buses and trolleys.