Comments | chicago_el: It's time to say "Enough!"

fengi in chicago_el

It's time to say "Enough!"

Oct 12, 2009 09:50

For a work only commuter who takes the train 5 days a week, the CTA's proposed .50 to .75 fare increase will mean $5 to $7.50 more per week. That's not a small increase. If they get the national average of 2 weeks paid time off, that's $250 to $375 a year. That's more than half a months rent for a lot of people, and a real hit for far more ( Read more... )

Comments 10

(The comment has been removed)

_mytruth_ October 12 2009, 15:04:31 UTC

Exactly the same for me. $110 for a 20 minute train ride twice a day (and random useage other times) is just outrageous.

steadierfooting October 12 2009, 17:24:56 UTC

Me too. I don't know if I can afford that.

goody_scrivener October 12 2009, 15:25:18 UTC

Right now, I'm ecstatic that I'm unemployed and therefore not subject to the whims of the CTA board. And I'm even more committed to finding work in the suburbs near where I live instead of going back to the city.

Senior free rides was a bad idea from the get-go. I know that G-Rod shoved it down everyone's throats as the only way he'd approve the budget. I wouldn't have minded a needs-based program. It really annoyed me that a coworker making $70K got free rides just because she was old.

shadefell October 12 2009, 16:20:25 UTC

I remember the 1.50 fares also. SIGH.

It is currently cheaper for my husband to drive from Albany Park to Des Plaines for work, gas wise, than it is for him to take public transit; granted there's some Metra thrown in there, but still. CTA prices are starting to get ridiculous. If it's not cheaper than driving, why bother using it? It's less convenient, smellier, and less reliable than your own car.

I continue to be irritated (and to write letters to my reps) by the lack of support the CTA gets.

fengi October 12 2009, 17:34:12 UTC

$1.50 fares were in 2004. That's a 100% increase in half a decade. Whee!

apothecary06 October 19 2009, 19:41:09 UTC

I knew it wasn't long ago. I remember $1.50 fares too, and I've only lived here since 2002.

girly123 October 12 2009, 16:36:27 UTC

If you're willing to rally the troops (or at least point me in their direction,) I'd gladly design a logo for you. I am in complete agreement with everything you said; my student u-pass is a saving grace, but I'm going to be proper fucked without it when I graduate.

steadierfooting October 12 2009, 17:26:16 UTC

Agreed! I was just coming over here to rant about this!