CHICAGO (WBBM) -- The CTA will increase fares Jan. 1. But many riders won't pay quite as much as first feared.
Citing a $3.6 million savings from changes made to the CTA's executive retirement plan, the board approved a revised schedule of fare increases that reduced the increases pass users will pay.
Those who pay by the ride will still see a 25 cent increase. But those who buy CTA 30 day passes will pay $86 instead of the $90 first proposed. CTA-only seven day passes will be priced at $23 instead of the $24 proposed last month, and the price of an unlimited-ride one-day pass will be $5.75 instead of the originally proposed $6.
The vote to increase fares was 6-1, with the CTA's newest board member, former Deputy Gov. Sheila Nix, casting the lone dissenting vote.
"Realizing there's tough economic times, I understand the needs sometimes to have a cushion," she said. "However, i feel like the riders and the people who are relying on the CTA are also facing very tough economic times and this is not the time to raise fares from them."
The governor's office distributed a flyer opposing the fare hike, saying in summary, "Fare increases hurt everyone."
Others were not happy. Rider and transit activist Neal Rysdahl was tossed out of the meeting after he jumped to his feet, interrupting the board, and criticizing them.
"All day we've been hearing from you fat cats about how we're going to do this," he said. "Instead of riding the bus, we're going to start biking, man!"
Despite that, other board members said they saw no alternative to the fare increase if service levels were to be maintained.
No service cuts are anticipated as part of the 2009 budget.
"There is no way, absolutely no way, without being totally irresponsible, to avoid a fare increase next year," said CTA board vice chair Susan Leonis.
"I do not relish a fare increase, but I do think that staff has acted as responsibly as they could," said CTA Chair Carole Brown.
As a result of the smaller-than-anticipated increase in pass prices, the price of the new joint CTA/Pace seven-day pass, good for use on both systems beginning Jan. 1, will be $28 instead of $29, as first anticipated. Pace is pricing the pass $5 higher than the CTA-only seven-day pass.
President Obama in his weekly address, says a blueprint for changing achievement standards in the nation's public schools will be sent to Congress on Monday.
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