Editorial
Are The CTA's Cuts The End Of The Line?
Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: Editorial & Opinion
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) introduced new heart wrenching information for Chicago residents this New Year. According to ChicagoBus.org, "Under the CTA's plan, the agency would eliminate nine express routes which provide limited stops on corridors already served by local routes. Bus fares would rise from $2.25 to $2.50 for most routes, but would climb to $3.00 for remaining express routes. Rail fares would also rise to $3.00." Buses and rail routes will take longer to arrive and arrival times of 41 bus routes will dramatically decrease. All of these changes are said to take effect February 7. Vital routes are being eliminated creating problems for the elderly and commuting students who do not have any other means of transportation. It is not indefinite that the prices for bus and rail routes will be raised, but the rise in prices was initially part of the CTA's future endeavors.
In this month's Wright Times issue, "End Of The Line For The CTA" Juan Pintor's article said, "In December 2009, the Chicago Transit Board passed a $1.27 billion budget for 2010." Aside from the budget, the CTA also borrowed $166 million from the state capital funds to prevent fare increases in the next two years.
The CTA buses are already notorious for taking an excessive amount of time to arrive. With the elimination of buses it now takes even longer for pedestrians commuting around the city. Wright College student Carmen Vazquez said, "I think its kind of ridiculous because they already take long. The Montrose bus takes really long and we already pay $2.25. They see another bus coming and just leave. Then we have to wait there 15 or 20 more minutes sometimes even more longer." The harsh winter conditions impact the health of Chicagoans as they brace the cold while commuting. Wright student Angelica Alvarez said, "I'm not sure in this cold it might be worth it to have to pay more with no bus cuts than have to have the same price and wait longer."
For Wright students, the CTA bus route eliminations will damage students' ability to arrive to school on time. Vazquez added, "I probably have to get up way earlier to leave earlier because like I said they already take 15 to 20 minutes so now there just going to take god knows how long." According to transitchicago.com, there are 41 bus routes that are planned to have shorter service hours, and 118 routes will run less frequently on February 7.
It should not be a surprise that the CTA is raising prices and cutting bus and rail routes. If Chicagoans really have an opposition towards the CTA's decisions then there should be reasonable actions taken against the CTA. Students at Wright have the ability do something against this ridiculous dilemma. Car-pooling is a great way to earn extra money. Drivers have the ability to car pool with friends or acquaintances that live near by and can charge for gas. Chicagoans also have the ability to voice their own opinions by contacting the CTA president, Richard L. Rodriguez.
In this month's Wright Times issue, "End Of The Line For The CTA" Juan Pintor's article said, "In December 2009, the Chicago Transit Board passed a $1.27 billion budget for 2010." Aside from the budget, the CTA also borrowed $166 million from the state capital funds to prevent fare increases in the next two years.
The CTA buses are already notorious for taking an excessive amount of time to arrive. With the elimination of buses it now takes even longer for pedestrians commuting around the city. Wright College student Carmen Vazquez said, "I think its kind of ridiculous because they already take long. The Montrose bus takes really long and we already pay $2.25. They see another bus coming and just leave. Then we have to wait there 15 or 20 more minutes sometimes even more longer." The harsh winter conditions impact the health of Chicagoans as they brace the cold while commuting. Wright student Angelica Alvarez said, "I'm not sure in this cold it might be worth it to have to pay more with no bus cuts than have to have the same price and wait longer."
For Wright students, the CTA bus route eliminations will damage students' ability to arrive to school on time. Vazquez added, "I probably have to get up way earlier to leave earlier because like I said they already take 15 to 20 minutes so now there just going to take god knows how long." According to transitchicago.com, there are 41 bus routes that are planned to have shorter service hours, and 118 routes will run less frequently on February 7.
It should not be a surprise that the CTA is raising prices and cutting bus and rail routes. If Chicagoans really have an opposition towards the CTA's decisions then there should be reasonable actions taken against the CTA. Students at Wright have the ability do something against this ridiculous dilemma. Car-pooling is a great way to earn extra money. Drivers have the ability to car pool with friends or acquaintances that live near by and can charge for gas. Chicagoans also have the ability to voice their own opinions by contacting the CTA president, Richard L. Rodriguez.
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