Plan would shift CTA repair, equipment funds to avoid hikes, cuts
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- An Illinois state Senate leader thinks he has a solution to the CTA's money problems but it probably won't sit well with some.
Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) heads the Senate transportation committee. He's floating an idea to convert $360 million from the CTA's capital funds for repairs and equipment to its operating budget over the next two years.
He tells the Chicago Sun-Times he knows the plan would face considerable opposition but says he's pushing hard to avoid fare increases, layoffs, and service cuts.
The CTA is facing a $300 million budget hole next year and has proposed offsetting almost two-thirds of that by reducing service, and raising "L" fares to $3 and monthly passes from $86 to $110. There's also talk of scrapping the free rides for seniors program on the CTA, Metra and Pace.
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