RTA on transit cuts, fare hikes: 'You ain't seen nothin' yet'
Nothing stands in the way of higher fares and reduced service on the region's bus and train system except for higher taxes, transit officials said Thursday.
"There has been some thought that we might be bluffing or exaggerating," said Jim Reilly, chair of the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees Metra, the CTA and Pace. "But in truth - you ain't seen nothing yet, as they say."
The RTA board voted Thursday to approve the fare increases and service cuts outlined by the CTA, Metra and Pace as required to fill a collective $240 million budget shortfall.
Transit officials have been banking on lawmakers approving a quarter-cent regional sales tax hike to alleviate the budget hole and provide funds for expansion. Yet, key lawmakers and the governor have not signed on to tax hikes as they continue to squabble over the state's education and health care funding.
The RTA budget's approval sets up a countdown toward noticeable fare hikes and significant service cuts in lieu of the tax hikes:
On Sept. 16:
• Pace local and Metra feeder fares rise to $1.50, ADA service fares increase to $3, vanpool fares jump 10 percent
• Metra reduces repairs and expansions by $60 million
• CTA lays off 600, raises fares to $3 on rush hour trains, cuts 39 bus routes
On Sept. 29
• Pace stops 29 main routes
On Oct. 1
• ADA service slashed to within three-quarters of a mile of regular routes
• CTA passes no longer accepted by Pace
Dec. 3
• Pace cuts all Metra feeder routes (about 80 in all)
In 2008
• Pace fares rise to $2, all weekend service cut
• ADA fares upped to $4
• CTA contemplates doubling fares, cutting north suburb el service.
• Metra looks to reduce weekend/night runs, raise fares 10 percent
The three transit agencies have been lobbying the public and lawmakers for more than a year to raise taxes so the bus and train systems can stay in the black and expand.
The agencies currently receive much of their subsidies from a quarter-cent sales tax in the collar counties and a half-cent sales tax in Cook County.
The new transit taxes would add 25 cents to a $100 tab and raise the overall sales tax in some suburbs to nearly 10 percent, or $10 on every $100 bill.