High-Speed CTA Bus Lines Coming Soon?

Bob Roberts Reporting

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Plans for high-speed CTA bus lines may not be dead, but merely delayed.

Outgoing Bush administration officials said last week that the city had "forefeited" a $153 million dollar grant to build the first phase of four bus-based rapid transit lines for lack of a local match.

Mayor Daley said Saturday that the city and CTA have been promised a rehearing.

"They're going to put this on hold so the next administration can deal with it," Daley said after speaking with outgoing U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.

Allowing the new administration to pass judgment would put the ultimate decision into the hands of an Illinoisan, Secretary-designate Ray LaHood of Peoria.

Who's to blame depends on whom you ask.

Transportation officials have said the city and CTA waited too long to submit their formal application for the grant, announced with great fanfare last spring. Daley Saturday blamed the failing economy and its effect on the city's efforts to raise the local share of the project's costs.

"We could not do it because of the financial condition of August and September," he said. "Our bids for the parking meter (lease) came in October and November. You could not do it then. It was impossible."

Daley made it clear he blames the Bush administration for the failing economy.

He said he has not spoken with LaHood about the project yet.

The grant would allow the CTA to build and equip bus lines on four corridors -- 79th Street, Jeffery Boulevard, Halsted Street and Chicago Avenue. All would get rapid transit-style stations that include fare pre-payment areas, high-tech signals and bus-only lanes to speed service.

The Bush administration has promoted so-called "bus rapid transit" lines as a lower-cost alternative to new 'L' or light rail systems. The grant would pay for the first 10 miles of a proposed 100-mile system.

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