Transit Future

Transit Future Update, September 13, 2007

Governor offers CTA a bailout
Yesterday Governor Blagojevich attempted to stave off the looming service cuts and fare hikes scheduled for this Sunday, September 16th, by offering the Chicago Transit Authority a $24 million bailout. The money will come from funds already allotted to the RTA for 2008. By moving up the payment of these funds, the “doomsday” of fare hikes and service cuts scheduled can be pushed back to November 4th. The Governor said that he hopes delaying the doomsday scenario will give the legislature time to work out a long-term solution.

A long-term solution that would have both funded the RTA and reformed its governance system was rejected by the legislature earlier this week.

While the CTA board has accepted the bailout, it will not receive the money unless the Regional Transit Authority also accepts the measure at its board meeting tomorrow. While delaying the service cuts and fare hikes would give the legislature time to work on a long-term solution, avoiding the costs of re-hiring hundreds of employees and changing schedules, not to mention stranding thousands of riders, the bailout is not risk-free. Because the money comes from funds already allotted to the CTA, if the legislature does not provide additional funding, the fare hikes and service cuts that eventually go into effect on November 4th could be worse than those scheduled for Sunday. Jim Reilly, Chairman of the RTA board that meets tomorrow, has said that accepting the bailout “may create an even bigger problem in the coming months.”

The bailout also provides no money for Pace, the suburban bus service, which will go ahead with its doomsday plan on Sunday. Crucially, Pace provides paratransit services that would not be saved from fare increases by the bailout. Many of the region’s senior and disabled citizens depend on these paratransit services as their primary mode of travel, many of them living on fixed incomes and unable to absorb fare increases.

Mixed Reaction
Reaction from community and civic leaders to the news was mixed. Mayor Daley has announced that he supports the plan, and has encouraged the RTA board to accept the bailout. “It’s only a stopgap,” the mayor said, “[but] it’s better than the alternative. The alternative would be Monday morning, you cut service out for people and increase fares.”

Jacky Grimshaw, Vice-President for Policy at CNT, expressed the sentiments of many transit riders and advocates in the region: “It is heartening to see the governor take action, but I am also fearful that this band-aid will create a larger deficit for the CTA if the legislature fails to act. We cannot forget that we have a regional transit funding problem, and cannot just focus on the CTA, but must provide funding for Pace and Metra.”

In a statement released to the press, Jim Reilly wrote on behalf of the RTA expressing skepticism about whether the plan’s benefits were worth the risk. “On its face, the proposal averts an immediate crisis, but may create an even greater problem in the coming months. Given the current political dynamic in Springfield, the RTA has to decide whether it is prudent to ‘hope’ legislative leaders and the Governor will act to place the regional transit system on sound, permanent footing.”

Links
News articles on the story:

-The Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ctameet_websep13,1,2335363.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout

- The Chicago Sun Times
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/556347,ctadaley13.article

- The RTA’s press statement on the bailout plan:
http://www.rtachicago.com/CMS400Min/uploadedFiles/9-12-07_RTA%20Reilly%20statement.pdf

Transit News

Transit Doomsday has been pushed back by a $24 million bailout that Governor Blagojevich has offered the RTA. The money will come from funds already allotted to the RTA for 2008. By moving up the payment of these funds, the “doomsday” of fare hikes and service cuts scheduled for Sept 16^th can be pushed back to November 4^th. The Governor hopes that delaying the doomsday scenario will give the legislature time to work out a long-term solution.

A long-term solution that would have both funded the RTA and reformed its governance system was rejected by the legislature earlier this week.

Legislative News
Last night the Illinois House failed to pass SB 572, a comprehensive transit funding and reform bill. The bill would have restructured the governance system for transit in Northeastern Illinois as well as guaranteed a long-term source of funding for transit. The bill would have prevented CTA and Pace’s “doomsday” scenarios from coming into effect on September 16.

Speaker of the House Michael Madigan has said that he will continue to try to pass the bill, calling a special session when enough votes can be found. Opposition to the bill comes mostly from suburban Republicans, who want to link any discussion of transit to a capital bill. Madigan and other supporters of the bill reject this approach because the need for transit operating funds is urgent, and the doomsday scenarios would likely go into effect before legislators could come up with a capital bill.

CTA Response

In response to yesterday’s vote, CTA president Ron Huberman issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote is a disappointment. The CTA has worked hard to build a coalition of bi-partisan support along with CTA union support. Without the much needed state funding, the CTA will be forced to move ahead with the proposed fare increases and service cuts in less than two weeks. This is not the result we wanted for our 1.6 million daily CTA riders. We intend to keep working with the legislature to win the necessary support to pass legislation by the 16th.”

Community Response

Community leaders spoke out quickly in support of the bill. Jacky Grimshaw, vice-president for policy of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, asked residents of the Chicago region to pressure their representatives to pass the bill:

“All of us who care about getting around the region must contact our legislators and the governor to stress the urgency of creating a sustainable transit system for our region. As transit riders, drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, we all have a stake in a viable transit system. We cannot accept a do- nothing response from the people we elect to office to solve our problems.”

She also called on lawmakers to consider the long-term effects on the region:

“We need a public investment of transit for the social, economic and environmental future of the region. If we want to be a sustainable and livable region, we must invest in transit. We need long-term solutions not band-aids. We have to invest in our transit infrastructure to efficiently move citizens from the homes to their workplaces. Without a viable transit system, we will be clogging up the roads, increase air pollution and the cost of living in our region.”

We urge you to contact your legislator and express your disappointment in yet again failing to properly fund our mass transit system. Find your legislator at www.civicfootprint.org. Also read more in a press release CNT sent out today.

Rally to Save Transit!

This Tuesday August 28th the RTA is holding a rally in support of SB 572 at the Thompson Center (100 W. Randolph) at 11:30 am. Transit Future will be joining elected officials from the entire region including Rep. Julie Hamos, Rep. Sid Mathias, Mayor Richard Daley and DuPage County Board Chair Robert Schillerstrom.

Please plan on attending and bring a friend!

Legislative Update - Mass Transit Committee Hearing

Progress is being made on SB 572! Wednesday August 29th, the House Mass Transit Committee will be holding a hearing on the final amendments to SB 572. The hearing will be at 10 AM in the Thompson Center in room 16503.

RTA Board Meeting

Yesterday the RTA Board met to approve Pace, CTA and Metra’s contingency plans. The implementation dates for service cuts and fare increases remain the same for all three service boards.

RTA Board Chair Jim Reilly had this to say:

“There has been some thought that we might be bluffing or exaggerating. But in truth - you ain’t seen nothing yet, as they say.”

Chairman Reilly was referring to the severity of next year’s service cuts and fare increases in the event no new funding is approved by the state. Do your part to support long term transit funding and tell your legislators to vote for SB 572.

The clock is ticking.

Chicago – Major reforms to the regional transit system have yet to be considered by Governor Blagojevich and the General Assembly, even though the state budget passed last week. In a March 2007 report following an audit of the system, Illinois Auditor General William Holland concluded that revenue from a regional sales tax had failed to keep up with the rising costs of running the system.

Legislation, based on the Auditor’s report, is pending before the General Assembly right now to address the crisis. Transit advocates gathered at Governor Blagojevich’s neighborhood CTA stop Wednesday to remind him that his neighborhood benefits from transit service, as do neighborhoods across the region.

Representatives from the Center for Neighborhood Technology, Transit Riders Alliance, Illinois Public Interest Research Group, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, Metro Seniors in Action, Metropolitan Planning Council and concerned riders joined together to highlight weeks of inactivity in Springfield at a time when “doomsday scenarios” loom and Pace, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and Metra have announced cuts beginning in September.

“The job’s not done in Springfield,” said David LeBreton with CNT. “Governor Blagojevich and the four legislative leaders need to get back to the work and solve our region’s transit crisis.”

“SB 572 is the long term solution we need. It provides the reforms called for in the Auditor General’s report as well as the necessary investment to keep this region’s trains and buses running for years to come,” added Brian Imus, State Director with Illinois PIRG. “Our leaders need to return to Springfield to pass this bill and put an end to yearly doomsday scenarios.”

SB 572 was crafted by members of both parties and includes a 0.25% increase in the region’s sales tax and allows the City of Chicago to increase its real estate transfer tax.

“A short-term bailout of the CTA is not a solution.” said Dia Cirillo, Policy Director with the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. “Springfield actually has a long term, regional solution on which they need to act.”

All three service boards have outlined a series of draconian service cuts and fare increases in the event lasting reforms are not legislated.

“Ravenswood Manor is an appealing place to live because of the Brown Line,” said Rick Harnish with the Transit Riders Alliance, explaining the location’s significance. “High-quality transit service provided by the CTA, Pace and Metra has made areas all over Chicagoland attractive places to live and do business.”

In this update:

1. Springfield Update
2. What’s in store for CTA and Pace?
3. What’s next?
4. Transit in the News

Springfield Update

August 1st marked the end of the State of Illinois’ one-month budget and the beginning of intense negotiations to pass a one-year budget for fiscal year 2008. However, as the debate over how to keep the state functioning dragged on, legislation reforming the RTA and increasing its funding (SB 572) lost momentum. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Julie Hamos, reported that House Minority Leader Tom Cross had instructed members of his party to withhold their support in an effort to secure a capital bill. But there is hope for SB 572, whose text has now been completed. The full text of the bill can be found here and a summary of the bill can be found here.

Currently there is uncertainty over what form the state’s budget will take, but increased transit funding and reform of the RTA were not part of the budget passed last week by the General Assembly. However, legislative leaders have indicated that they will be calling legislators back to Springfield to address both the transit crisis and the state’s capital needs.

If a solution to the transit crisis must be passed in conjunction with the state’s first capital bill since 2003, then it must be done before September. New capital funds are vital to the health of CTA, Metra and Pace, but operating funds are needed before September to avert fare increases and service cuts.

What’s in store for CTA and Pace?

In the past two weeks, both Pace and CTA have approved contingency plans that include fare increases and service reductions to be implemented in September unless the General Assembly and Governor are able to provide increased operating funds. CTA estimates its contingency plan will result in 100,000 fewer rides per weekday, while Pace estimates its plan will result in 5 million fewer rides per year.

Timeline of service cuts and fare increases:

September 1 – Pace local route and Metra Feeder fares will increase to $1.50. ADA Paratransit fares increase to $3.00. Taxi Access Program (TAP) fares increase to $5.50. Pace Vanpool fares increase by 10%.

September 16 – CTA fares will increase to $2.50 and $3.00 on trains during peak hours. Chicago Card fares increase to $2.00. 39 CTA bus routes will be eliminated.

September 29 – Pace will begin to eliminate fixed route and Metra Feeder buses that do not meet minimum performance standards.

October 1 – Pace ADA Paratransit service will be restricted to ¾ mile of regular fixed route service. Pace will no longer accept CTA passes.

December 3 – Pace will eliminate all Metra Feeder buses.

January 1 - Pace local route and Metra Feeder fares will increase to $2.00. ADA Paratransit fares increase to $4.00. Taxi Access Program (TAP) fares increase to $6.50.

January 5 – All Pace weekend service will be eliminated.

What’s next?

The end of this record-breaking session has proven exceptionally difficult to predict. Mass transit riders and advocates must continue to pressure the Governor and their legislators to pass legislation that ends the vicious cycle of doomsday scenarios and under funded transit agencies.

In the event that the Governor signs the budget passed by the General Assembly and legislators go into recess, they must be reminded that their work is not done! Solving Northeastern Illinois’ transit crisis must remain a priority, and it is up to constituents to make sure they do not forget. Call your legislators’ district offices while they are back from Springfield and ask them when they will be returning to Springfield to reform and fund the RTA. Also, remind them that if a capital bill is passed it must include funds to improve Northeastern Illinois’ transit infrastructure.

Transit in the News

Friday, August 10th the Daily Herald published an editorial urging the Governor and General Assembly to reform and fund the RTA. In it, the editors referenced CNT research showing how much money is saved by households with access to frequent and reliable mass transit.

Boost funding to stabilize mass transit - Daily Herald, August 10, 2007

The General Assembly inched forward Thursday as the House approved its latest version of Illinois’ months-overdue budget. Increased funding for the Regional Transportation Authority was not among the needs covered by the spending plan that faces an uncertain fate once it reaches Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s desk. The Senate was considering the budget when this went to press.
Legislators and the governor should support legislation that would raise the RTA sales tax by 0.25 percentage point throughout the region, and an additional 0.25 percentage point in the collar counties (that money to be controlled by the collar county boards for local transit and road projects), establish a real estate transfer tax in Chicago, and restructure the RTA to strengthen its oversight of Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority. At the same time, no tax increase can be approved without strict accountability measures also provided by the pending RTA bill. Fare increases must also be part of the mix.

For all our sakes, we hope she’s right.

Another Successful Transit Lobby Day

This past Wednesday, thirty transit advocates from Northeastern Illinois traveled to Springfield in support of SB 572. Representatives from CNT, Illinois PIRG, Metro Seniors in Action, the Transit Riders Alliance, the Amalgamated Transit Union, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and other passionate transit supporters spent the day speaking with legislators about the importance of transit and the need for a solution to the transit crisis. Group members also had the opportunity to speak with the press about the crisis and the need to find a solution before session adjourns. You can read some of the coverage here.

Transit Crisis Update - You can help!

SB 572 is near completion and a hearing before the House Mass Transit Committee is expected early next week. However, as they approach the end of the current one month state budget, the possibility of reaching a deal and adjourning session increases. Now is the time to remind legislators that they must not adjourn this legislative session without addressing the transit crisis in Northeastern Illinois. Tell your legislators and the governor that they must not approve a new state budget until there is a solution to the problem.

To find your legislators, please refer to the “Take Action” section of the website.

In the Press

Today’s Chicago Tribune featured an editorial “A decent transit deal,” in support of SB572.

“There aren’t a lot of success stories coming out of Springfield this year, unless you think the longest overtime session in history is something to brag about. But lawmakers are close to an agreement on a long-term solution to the region’s mass transit mess. That would be something to celebrate.

“For once, they’re not talking about a stopgap funding fix to keep the trains and buses running for another year. The measure on the table would give transit officials the money and the mandate to solve their own problems, sparing lawmakers, transit agencies and commuters the annual fight over who is to blame for the perpetual crisis and who’s going to pay to fix it.”

You can read the full text of the article here

In this Update:
1. Next Transit Lobby Day – Wednesday July 25th – FREE BUS
2. In the Press
3. Pace Public Hearings

Next Transit Lobby Day – Wednesday July 25th – FREE BUS

Transit advocates are planning the second Transit Lobby Day in Springfield for July 25th. While we were successful in reaching out to many lawmakers during our last lobby day, there are still many legislators who need to hear about what is at stake for the region. And as the end of July approaches, it is a crucial time to remind the General Assembly and the Governor that the transit crisis must be resolved before session is adjourned.

For this lobby day we will have a free bus to take us to Springfield in the morning and return us that same evening. The bus will leave from downtown Chicago at 6:30 AM and return at 9 PM. Please plan on joining us for this very important day! If you are new to lobbying, we will provide tips on how to talk to legislators, materials to give them and the best places to find them.

For questions or to RSVP, please contact Emily Metz at emily@cnt.org or 773-269-4070.

In the Press

Friday July 6th the Chicago Tribune published an editorial “Failing Transit” by Jerry Roper, President/CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, stressing the economic importance of public transportation:

“Getting employees to and from work each day is paramount to the continued growth and success of Chicagoland business. Illinois’ perpetual lack of sufficient funding for public transit isn’t just frustrating commuters. It is putting businesses and ultimately Illinois’ economy at risk.

“To compete in today’s global economy, it is essential that Chicago is able to move people and goods effectively. Instead, however, Chicago, the transportation hub of the U.S. and contender for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is being watched worldwide as our transportation infrastructure falls into disrepair.”

You can read the full text of the article here.

Monday July 9 the Chicago Sun Times published an editorial “Chicago can’t compete without good trains” by John Norquist, President of the Congress for the New Urbanism, which cites Chicago’s need for high-quality transit to be considered among the the major cities of the world:

“Quick. What do Tokyo, London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dubai have in common?

“Yes, they are all world financial centers with which Chicago both cooperates and competes in today’s fast-paced global economy. And yes, several of them are Olympic cities, an elite group Chicago very much wants to join. But here’s another key similarity: They are all investing billions in fast and efficient transit service. And that is where they part company with Chicago.”

You can read the full text of the article here.

Pace Public Hearings

Pace is holding public hearings in July to receive input on their proposed service cuts and fare increases due to operating budget shortfalls. If you would like to attend, voice your support of Pace, and send a message to Springfield, details on each hearing are below.

Kane County - Thursday, July 19, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Kane County Government Center Auditorium – Ground Floor
719 S. Batavia Avenue
Geneva, IL 60134

Lake County - Friday, July 20, 2007, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lake County Courthouse - 10th Floor Assembly Room
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085

West Cook County - Monday, July 23, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
Forest Park Public Library
7555 W. Jackson Blvd.
Forest Park, IL 60130

City of Chicago - Monday, July 23, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
University of Illinois at Chicago - Student Center East, Room 302
750 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Will County - Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Joliet Public Library - Main Building
150 N. Ottawa Street
Joliet, IL 60435

North Cook County - Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Pace Headquarters - Board Room
550 W. Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

DuPage County - Thursday, July 26, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building - 1st Floor Auditorium
421 N. County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187

McHenry County - Thursday, July 26, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Crystal Lake Municipal Complex - Council Chambers
100 W. Municipal Complex
Crystal Lake, IL 60039

On Wednesday July 11, 2007 transit advocates from Northeastern Illinois including CNT, Illinois PIRG, Metro Seniors In Action, the Transit Riders Alliance and Progressive Public Affairs traveled to Springfield to lobby in support of SB572. Those in attendance spoke with 20 Senators and 25 Representatives, and while few are opposed to the bill, many were not aware of all of its components. Like everything else in Springfield, transit has taken a backseat to the budget and has not received the attention it is due.

Although the Governor has promised to veto any sales tax increase that has not deterred legislators from supporting the bill. They applaud the fact that it is a long-term regional solution to a regional problem, rather than another band-aid. Additional amendments are expected to include CTA pension and health care reform, RTA governance and a downstate transit component. Transit advocates from various groups will continue to travel to Springfield to raise awareness about SB572, stressing the urgency of addressing the transit crisis this session.

Stay tuned for information on the next lobby day!

In this Update:
1. Transit Crisis Continues Unresolved
2. Transit Lobby Day - July 11
3. In The Press
4. Pace Public Hearings

Transit Crisis Continues Unresolved

While the Governor and General Assembly have managed to pass a one month budget to avert a shut down of state government, the transit crisis continues without a solution. However, there have been two recent developments that indicate progress has been made towards reforming and funding a regional transit system this legislative session.

Last week, the CTA and its employees reached a five-year contract agreement that increases the contributions paid by both to healthcare and pension funds. In addition, the agreement involves issuing $1.5 billion in pension obligation bonds to soften the short term impact of a state law requiring that the CTA pension system be 90% funded by 2059. The agreement is contingent upon the CTA receiving additional operating funds for this fiscal year.

This past week also saw the introduction of a proposal on changes to both RTA and Metra governance. The changes to both boards involve increased representation by the collar counties and are the result of negotiations between lawmakers and the RTA. You can read the details of the proposed changes here.

Transit Lobby Day

Wednesday July 11th, join transit advocates from the entire region in urging the General Assembly to pass SB 572. If you have not yet been able to attend a lobby day, this is the best opportunity to let your legislators know face-to-face why transit is important to you.
If you would like to join us, we will be on the 301 Lincoln Service Amtrak train from Union Station departing at 7 AM and returning on the 304 Lincoln Service Amtrak leaving at 4:57 PM. We are also exploring the possibility of renting buses if we have enough people to fill them. Please let us know if you are able to attend and if you would be interesting in riding a bus by contacting Emily at emily@cnt.org or 773-269-4070.

In The Press

Monday July 2nd, the Chicago Tribune published an editorial “Inching Towards a Transit Deal” urging the Governor and General Assembly to address the transit crisis:

“One way to do so is to approve a plan sponsored by Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) to overhaul the Regional Transportation Authority, giving it a stronger hand in planning and oversight of the CTA, Metra and Pace. The same bill includes a plan to provide a long-term funding stream for mass transit. The need for more money was firmly established by an Illinois auditor general’s report in March, and the transit agencies are forecasting fare increases, service cuts and general rush-hour mayhem if the legislature doesn’t act. They are not blowing smoke.

Most lawmakers, though, have been snoring through this crisis because it feels like a rerun of the one before, and the one before that. If things play out as usual, they will spring to life at the last minute and approve another “one-time” bailout, ensuring another rerun.”

You can read the full text of the editorial here.

For more recent articles relating to transit in Northeastern Illinois, please visit “Transit in the News.”

Pace Public Hearings

Pace is holding public hearings in July to receive input on their proposed service cuts and fare increases due to operating budget shortfalls. If you would like to attend, voice your support of Pace, and send a message to Springfield, details on each hearing are below.

City of Chicago - Monday, July 16, 2007, 11 am – 1 pm
Northside College Preparatory High School
5501 N. Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625

South Cook County - Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
City of Blue Island East Annex
2434 Vermont Street
Blue Island, IL 60406

City of Chicago - Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
Olive-Harvey College Cafeteria
10001 S. Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60628

Kane County - Thursday, July 19, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Kane County Government Center Auditorium – Ground Floor
719 S. Batavia Avenue
Geneva, IL 60134

Lake County - Friday, July 20, 2007, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Lake County Courthouse - 10th Floor Assembly Room
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085

West Cook County - Monday, July 23, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
Forest Park Public Library
7555 W. Jackson Blvd.
Forest Park, IL 60130

City of Chicago - Monday, July 23, 2007, 6 pm – 8 pm
University of Illinois at Chicago - Student Center East, Room 302
750 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Will County - Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Joliet Public Library - Main Building
150 N. Ottawa Street
Joliet, IL 60435

North Cook County - Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Pace Headquarters - Board Room
550 W. Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

DuPage County - Thursday, July 26, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building - 1st Floor Auditorium
421 N. County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187

McHenry County - Thursday, July 26, 2007, 5 pm – 7 pm
Crystal Lake Municipal Complex - Council Chambers
100 W. Municipal Complex
Crystal Lake, IL 60039