Surprise! CTA Fares May Rise After All

By Prescott Carlson in News on Apr 26, 2008 1:00PM

You know those free rides for seniors on the CTA? Turns out the loss in revenue might be having a bit of an impact on the CTA's budget. Who would've thunk it? And along with rising fuel and electricity costs, the forever beleaguered public transportation system is still bleeding cash despite the recent passing of a transit funding bill. CTA President Ron Huberman is now hinting that he may not be able to keep his earlier promise of holding off on fare hikes until 2009:

"We're going to attempt to hold the line on any fare increase because certainly we don't want to turn to our customers and their pocket book when it's already tough. But we'll have to wait and see how the year shapes out," Huberman said during taping of WBBM News Radio 780's "At Issue" program, which will air at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

Huberman also indicated that the CTA is going to run out of money for any infrastructure improvements, or for the purchase of new buses and trains in 2009 unless the state approves yet another capital spending plan. With Mayor Daley so intent on getting the Olympics here in 2016, this seems like it might be a good time to dip into his TIF slush fund to help provide our "world-class city" with the public transportation it deserves. [Trib]