CHICAGO (WBBM) - A west suburban mayor who is fed up with the inability of legislative leaders to find agreement among each other or with Gov. Rod Blagojevich on transit funding issues said the CTA, Metra and Pace should send them a message they won't be able to ignore.
WBBM’s Bob Roberts has exclusive details.
"Shut 'em down for a day. Lock the doors," said Elmhurst Mayor Thomas Marcucci.
Marcucci is not a disinterested bystander. He also holds a seat on the Pace suburban bus board. He said he realizes there are some in Springfield who could care less if that were to happen. But he said he believes that they would change their minds about the need for new funding if it ever were to happen.
"Everyone in the region is affected by public transportation, whether you ever ride a bus or not," he said. "Everyone is affected. The buses take thousands and thousands of vehicles off the road every day. So does the heavy rail, Metra, every day."
Marcucci said he's heard time and again that service cuts are fare hikes would only affect a small percentage of Chicago area residents. He said that's a mistaken notion, but one that is difficult to change.
"The public transportation system here underpins our region and all the activity that we all do each day to earn a living, to take care of our families, to go to recreation, to go to the doctor," he said.
That being said, he says bluntly, "I don't want a bailout."
But he said there is a big difference between a "bailout" and the new funding streams he says are needed so badly.
"A bailout implies we did something wrong and we haven't," he said.
Together, the three transit agencies give more than two million rides each day.
Pace officials said last week that they have pretty much given up hope of averting the first round of contingency fare hikes and service cuts that are threatened for Nov. 4. Despite his suggestion, the prospect of implementing the contingencies angers Marcucci.
"Doomsday is coming," he said. "If all seven expressways are jammed, maybe then they'll pay attention. But is blood on the streets what's really needed?"
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