NCBG Applauds New CTA Fare Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 1998

CONTACT: John Paul Jones or Dion Miller Perez -- 312-939-7198

NCBG Applauds New CTA Fare Proposal

The Neighborhood Capital Budget Group, a non-profit organization that fights for Chicago’s neighborhoods, lauds the CTA and President Frank Kruesi for today’s proposal to make public transportation more accessible and affordable. The plan makes important strides by reducing the price of a monthly pass, establishing a new weekly pass, and streamlining many of the more cumbersome features of the fare card system. President Kruesi’s proposal affirms the hard work of the many groups that have fought for these types of important reforms, including the Transit Riders’ Authority, Metro Seniors in Action, and Citizens Taking Action.

"This proposal represents a major victory for the broad coalition of community groups that has long fought for real reform of the CTA," said NCBG Executive Director Jacqueline Leavy. "The next step is restoring service to all Chicago’s neighborhoods."

Unfortunately, many neighborhoods cannot take full advantage of the new pricing system because their access to key transit lines has been reduced or eliminated altogether. Neighborhoods along the Douglas branch of the Blue Line L, for example, no longer have access to late-night or weekend rail service. Many other neighborhoods suffer from drastically scaled-back bus service. The CTA must not lose sight of the needs facing these neighborhoods.

"The proposal is a step in the right direction," said Oscar Iracheta, president of the Eighteenth Street Business Association. "Unfortunately, in order for the cheaper monthly pass to truly benefit our community and our local businesses, we need a full restoration of transit and bus service to the Pilsen community."

As President Kruesi himself said at today’s CTA Board Meeting, the key to making this plan work is involving the people who live and work in Chicago’s neighborhoods. NCBG hopes the CTA will work with the City’s rich network of community organizations to publicize these important changes and continue to improve public transportation in Chicago.

Key features of the plan include:

Reducing the price of a monthly pass from $88 to $75. The monthly pass would also be made easier to use. Instead of operating on a calendar-month basis (meaning that it is valid only from the first to last day of a given month), it would be valid for 30 days from the first time it was used.

Eliminating the $45 reduced-rate monthly pass for those with special needs in favor of a $35 monthly pass. Currently, there are two monthly passes that serve special constituencies such as senior citizens and the physically disabled — one for $45 and a second for $35.

Establishing a $20 weekly pass that would also operate on a rolling basis.

Instituting a 1-day unlimited use pass that would be marketed to all Chicagoans, not just visitors and tourists as under the current system.

Changing the way fare bonuses are awarded. Instead of giving the first bonus at $13.50, as under the current system, riders would earn a $1 bonus for each $10 they put on their fare cards.

Lowering the fee for the Taxi Access Program from $3 to $1.50.

Phasing out tokens by June 1, 1999.

NCBG is a city-wide coalition of nearly 200 neighborhood organizations and local economic development groups founded in 1988. Our mission is to assure a quality infrastructure in order to ensure the highest possible quality of life for our communities.