RTA budget passes along with cuts, fare increases

The Regional Transportation Authority's budget crossed the finish line Thursday, albeit a little battered and bloodied.

The agencies the RTA has oversight of - CTA, Pace and Metra - were short of funds this year because of a decline in sales tax, the main source of cash for transit in addition to fares.

So, the budget reflects anticipated layoffs at the CTA, bus route eliminations and reductions at Pace and fare increases at Metra, all of which would be effective next year.

Other strategies to make ends meet include borrowing money and using capital dollars for operations. In addition, the agencies are looking at hiring freezes and pay restrictions.

The budget allocates about $1.2 billion for operating expenses to the CTA, $603 million for Metra, $184 million to Pace and $116 million for paratransit, the pickup service for disabled riders that Pace operates.

The RTA will receive $34 million.

Also Thursday, Illinois Auditor General William Holland's office released a report on how the RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace responded to a 2007 probe.

The auditor general came up with 47 recommendations to improve and tighten planning, operations, staffing, pensions, financial management and the capital program, among other ideas.

The report concluded that the four agencies "have made significant progress" in carrying out the audit's recommendations.

Among the suggestions that have been implemented are:

• for the RTA, working to create a regional fare card;

• for the CTA, revamping the pension system;

• for Metra, developing procedures to handle rider complaints;

• and for Pace, updating its computer systems.