Citizens Taking Action
for transit dependent riders
PO Box 37-8684 (312) 730-0876 Chicago, IL 60637
November 7, 2008 www.CTAriders.org Press
Release
For Information: Charles Paidock, Secretary
(312) 353-0830 cpaidock@hotmail.com
Transit Group Objects to Public Hearings
All Held on Same Day, at Same Time
Citizens Taking
Action, an organization comprised of transit dependent riders, has raised
objections to the manner in which annual budget hearings for the 3 transit
services, CTA, Pace, and Metra, have either not been or poorly publicized, and
then held all at the same time, on the same day, in different locations. Usually only one active board member was
present to listen to passengers voice their concerns, the absolute minimum
necessary for compliance with the law.
On Wednesday and Thursday,
Metra, for example, held 4 hearings on each day, all at precisely same
time. Passengers unable to attend were
afforded 24 hours if they wanted to submit written materials, in hard copy only. The meetings were not mentioned anywhere in
the October issue Metra’s Commuter Newsletter, “On the Bi-Level.” The publication instead had a lead article
on the re-election of the board’s chairman, and concluded with a crossword
puzzle on the back page
Pace was
significantly more accommodating in scheduling 13 hearings across its service
area extending over a 9 day period.
Passengers could also submit their comments on a form provided at the
services website, as well as send an email with an address provided. A nicely prepared, color brochure with a
budget summary, which folded out, was also provided, with pie charts detailing
revenue and expenses. Again, however,
only one board member was present, however, he did take time to personally
respond to, and comment on, each of the issues raised by the testimony given.
CTA held their
traditional, single massive meeting for the entire city at their headquarters
downtown last week. Copies of the
entire budget, in considerable detail, were available. A powerpoint presentation was also given by
CTA President Ron Huberman at the beginning explaining where the service was
headed in terms of operations and finances.
In addition, the entire Board was present throughout the entire
hearing. An issue was raised, however,
by the transit group member Harry Brooks, who found only one notice posted out
of a sample of six buses, and held one of the notices up to show that it could
not be read from any distance away. CTA
also has a Public Comment Process in effect, for making statements during the
year.
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