CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Today marks the first time most CTA riders will have to contend with the new fare structure that was introduced Sunday.
WBBM Newsradio 780's Bob Roberts reports it's one that will force some riders to pay more to ride the CTA. But transit officials are hoping you switch to a pass or one of its smart cards instead.
Those who switch to passes or the CTA's smart cards, the Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus, won't pay any increase and will still be able to transfer for 25 cents.
But the paper transfer is no more, and CTA will no longer accept Pace transfers. Those who used to use paper transfers and still insist on using cash will have to pay $2 each time they change buses or trains.
In short, for some riders, it's no mere 25 cent increase.
Those who transfer between buses and the "L," and use either cash or the old magnetic strip farecards, also will be subject to the $2 rate. The magnetic strip farecards are still good for the old rate on buses only.
Some riders have warned the CTA's board that the new structure will raise their daily commute costs to $12 or $14 from $4. That strikes the Campaign for Better Transit's Rev. Cy Fields as fundamentally wrong.
"It's insensitive. It's criminal. It's definitely a display of classism, racism, and oppressive," he said. "[It shows] a lack of creativity on how to viably solve this $17 million deficit anywhere but on the backs of those who can least afford it."
The CTA expects to make $17 million in 2006 from the change in fare structure, but officials have said they anticipate that figure to dwindle quickly as riders switch to forms of payment other than cash.
Until now, about 20 percent of CTA riders paid cash and another 20 percent used the magnetic-strip farecards.
Fields said riders who live hand-to-mouth find the cost of even the most inexpensive CTA passes too much and cannot afford to use a CTA Chicago Card, even though they offer a discount to those who buy $20 in fares at once.
CTA Chair Carole Brown and CTA President Frank Kruesi have steadfastly defended the new fare structure since it was first announced last year.
"Riders know what they have to do to avoid the increase," Kruesi said.
Kruesi contended that the $20 weekly pass is well-suited to low-income riders.
Riders can get a Chicago Card or the Chicago Card Plus without the usual $5 fee through the end of March. The CTA has more than 200 locations where riders can recharge Chicago Cards, including "L" stations and 65 currency exchanges. There is no minimum to recharge the card.
CTA Web site: www.transitchicago.com
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