Former Deputy Gov. Sheila Nix's first comment as a board member urged the board to delay the fare increase proposed Thursday, and essentially make a bet that the economy, fuel and materials prices and tax revenues will improve in the next few months.Wow she is doing such a bangup job already!
"Find a way to avoid a fare increase this year," Nix said. "Get to the point where we could allow the real estate transfer tax revenue to begin coming in, maybe the sales tax increase comes in, maybe with the federal bailout we'll be back in a situation where things are better."
Nix also suggested that the CTA borrow the money needed to close its budget hole, estimated at $42.2 million.
CTA Chair Carole Brown told Nix that would be both illegal and irresponsible and could come back to haunt riders.
"We have to make sure that this agency manages fiscally responsibly so that we don't have to double the pain or triple the pain for our riders next year or the following year," Brown said.
Blagojevich last last month replaced board member Nicholas Zagotta, whose term had expired, with Nix. The governor has the right to make three appointments to the seven-member board.
Several low-income riders and job agency representatives also urged the board to find some alternative.
Anyway check out why CTA President Huberman is looking to eliminate the 10% bonus on Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus...
In addition to the layoffs, a casualty of CTA's belt-tightening will be the 10 percent bonus riders have received until now for using the Chicago Card and its sister smart card, the Chicago Card Plus.I would like it if they keeped it. I understand that they have to tighten up because of the bad economy and the incompetence in the state. Still perhaps this might be the time to continue that 10% bonus on the cards to encourage people to continue to ride CTA. Think about it.
Huberman said the bonus was intended to attract riders to the smart cards, and said that goal has been accomplished.
He does not foresee them losing popularity once the bonus ends Jan. 1.
Oct 29th at 6PM will be the next scheduled public hearing at CTA headquarters at 567 W. Lake.
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