Press Release November 15, 2017
Citizens Taking Action for transit dependent riders
For Information:
CTA Cuts Service for Years, Then Wants a Fare Increase
transit group says fares should be reduced
Citizens Taking Action, an organized comprised of transit dependent riders, is opposed to any proposed increases in transit fares, particularly since service cuts has been going for nearly ten years. System-wide service has been reduced either by eliminating bus routes altogether, shortening of routes, or reduced schedules (hours of operation). There also may be increased headways, or waiting time for passengers between buses, or trains on the elevated lines. Figures indicate there fewer bus stops across the system.
The group has been alarmed about changes in CTA bus routes that have taken place virtually at any given time, with no public hearings, or adequate notice to passengers who use the routes.
The group maintains these cuts are obvious if one compares CTA systems schedules from ten years ago to the most recent one issued. Studies have been done going back to when CTA began.
Since CTA was established in 1947, the group discovered, over 50 bus routes have been eliminated, and over 100 elevated stations have been closed. Of particular concern was the elimination of virtually all routes that operate on a full 24-hour schedule.
Per a recent study conducted by the group of levels of service provided by CTA to passengers in each of the fifty (50) wards of Chicago, only five (5) wards deserved a score of ten (10) for excellent service. The average score was 5.4.
Charles Paidock, secretary, stated “It’s obvious that we’re paying more and getting less transit service for it. Something is definitely not working at the federal, state and local levels, and at RTA and CTA headquarters. At one time on average there were 1-2 cuts in service of some type every month. At this rate, how long will it be before the transit system disappears altogether? We still remember the mayor’s response to objections to the last fare increase, when he said: ‘Let them drive.’ I’m a transit dependent rider, and there are an increasing number of residents in Chicago for whom CTA is their only mode of travel.”
Kevin Peterson said “We keep losing service with no one being held accountable for it. There are no public hearings because they are claiming they are just ‘service adjustments.’ The people only find out about the service cuts usually only when they’re waiting at a bus stop, only if CTA bothers to put up a sign about the service cuts. Usually they only find out the day before, if at that. On occasion they find out about this while they are waiting for a bus and it never comes."
From Citizens Taking Action
for transit dependent riders
“Something is definitely not working at the federal, state and local levels, and at RTA and CTA headquarters.”
