The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has unveiled a sweeping $1.3bn budget proposal for 2009 that calls for large-scale job cuts, fare hikes and service maintenance on the US states rail network.
The budget takes into account the current economic downturn in the US and includes measure to make up for low tax-revenue, higher costs of fuel, power and materials and a state-mandated free rides programme.
The authority has proposed eliminating 632 jobs, including 396 administrative and support staff workers and 236 capital projects positions. The CTA has also proposed a fare hike of 25 cents.
The proposed 2009 operating budget is $1.324bn, which is $115m higher than 2008. The CTA expects to generate $601.1m in fares and other revenue and anticipates $723.3m in public funding.
CTA President Ron Huberman said that none of the belt-tightening measures will impact service or diminish investment in improving the network.
"Given the difficult economic environment, and building on our performance management initiative, the new performance-based budget will hopefully make the STA customer experience the best it can be," he said.
The budget is also aimed at improving maintenance along the network.
The budget totals $3bn, with $2.9bn in projects focused on the goal of eliminating slow zones, renewing the CTA’s assets, overhauling and replacing the fleet, and bringing the system to a state of good repair. In addition, $40m is programmed for the completion of the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project.
By Daniel Garrun
