--- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, "Al Reinschmidt" <buslist@...>
wrote:
>
> --- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, "Al Reinschmidt" <buslist@>
wrote:
> >
>
> > 9. the wood cars no longer work subway line A, too bad
> >
> No one likes being wrong but in this case I'm glad to report I am,
guess I didn't understand what someone was telling me but Line A is
still operated with wood cars, what a delight to ride!
>

     OK, Al, here's something very vital: Did You get any video(or
audio) of these cars?(If you got the former, you may want to put it
on YouTube so we can see it.)  Also, if you rode any of the other
Subte lines, did any of the cars on those lines have the correct
sounds(i.e. the 4000 Plushies)?

     Later

     Michael T. Greene(p.s.Did you get an e-mail from Jerry Squier on
a topic that's off-topic on this list, but regards another list that
we're both on?)

So with all of these "X" routes on the chopping block if Springfield doesn't
get their act in order soon, I was wondering whether the dropping of the
express runs means that there will be additional local service to make up
for it some or just a great reduction in busses on those streets.

--- In Bus_Emergency@yahoogroups.com, "driver_alert_911"
<driver_alert_911@...> wrote:

   As many as 10 people suffered minor injuries this morning when a
cement truck rear-ended a Chicago Transit Authority bus, a spokeswoman
for the CTA said.

The southbound No. 108 Halsted bus was stopped near 107th Street when
it was hit by the truck, spokeswoman Wanda Taylor said.

Ten people requested medical attention, but preliminary reports
indicate the injuries were minor, she said.



Buses were temporarily rerouted around the accident scene but had
resumed their normal schedules by about 10:10 a.m., Taylor said

--- End forwarded message ---

> From: Juan Hill <juanhill@yahoo.com>
> Reply-To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:20:40 -0400 (EDT)
> Subject: [CHICAGOTRANSIT] ChicagoBusiness.com
>

> Insiders say it’s clear that completing the station, which would connect the
> Red Line and Blue Line subway tunnels and potentially anchor airport-express
> train service, will cost $100 million to $150 million more than the $213.3
> million originally budgeted.

Why is this ALWAYS the case? We ought just assume that whatever the
estimates for these grand ideas, it will probably really cost double. It
seems that the Olympic Commitee has been the only one to reputably call the
city on this reality.

> For the city, a deal with Macquarie would represent a needed bailout for a
> project whose cost has risen so much that it could become a financial risk for
> Joseph Freed & Associates LLC, the master developer of the seemingly jinxed
> block between the Daley Center and Macy’s State Street store.

I hope it all falls through. I want that $5 ginger ale that Tony will have
to buy me at the hotel bar if it does.

The new building is ugly as sin, to boot. And it absolutely clashes with
everything around it. I wish we had the interesting streetscape on Dearborn
back from pre "Block 37" empty lot days. Well, alright, getting rid of the
decrepit theaters on Randolph was proabably a plus, admitedly. Though,
nowadays, a picture show house on that corner could probably turn a healthy
profit.

Aug. 31, 2007
By Greg Hinz

  Subscribe to an RSS feed on this topic


CTA explores Block 37 deal
Millions over budget, city talks privatization with Skyway firm



(Crain's) - The massive subway station under construction at Block 37 is
running as much as $150 million over budget, a shortfall that has prompted
city officials to move to privatize the project.

Sources close to the matter say the city has begun discussions with
Macquarie - the Australian investment bank that two years ago paid the city
$1.82 billion to lease the Chicago Skyway - about buying or leasing the
Chicago Transit Authority station underneath the high-profile retail and
office complex now being built.

Insiders say it's clear that completing the station, which would connect the
Red Line and Blue Line subway tunnels and potentially anchor airport-express
train service, will cost $100 million to $150 million more than the $213.3
million originally budgeted.

For the city, a deal with Macquarie would represent a needed bailout for a
project whose cost has risen so much that it could become a financial risk
for Joseph Freed & Associates LLC, the master developer of the seemingly
jinxed block between the Daley Center and Macy's State Street store.





For Macquarie, a deal would offer a foot in the door on two other
potentially lucrative Chicago deals: express-train service from Block 37 to
O'Hare, Midway or both airports, a project the CTA long has coveted but does
not have the capital to build; and privatization of Midway, which remains
high on the city's financial wish list despite opposition from some airlines
and Washington regulators.

Mayoral Chief of Staff Lori T. Healey, in a brief phone interview, says
Macquarie has talked to various government entities here about a variety of
projects but she declines to make other comments.

The CTA, in a statement, says only that it is "actively exploring creative
public-private partnerships that can leverage our limited capital
  resources."

A consultant's report prepared for the CTA last year said the express-train
service would cost $1.5 billion or more to build.

However, according to several sources close to the matter, what's driving
the current discussions with Macquarie and possibly other firms is the city'
s severe need for cash to finish the Block 37 project.

A SHORTFALL

Sources say the complex job immediately ran into trouble when builders had
more difficulty than expected relocating water mains, electric lines and
other utilities, some of them a century old. Then, driven by a national
building boom, the cost of basic construction materials sharply escalated.

As a result of those and perhaps other factors, the CTA and city have nearly
burned through the $173 million in funding they have committed for the
$213-million job, sources say.

With more than a year of construction yet to go, that means they have to
come up with more money - perhaps from a private partner - or count on Freed
to at least temporarily cover any shortfall.

But the latter could present difficulties for Freed, whose principal,
Laurence Freed, has personally guaranteed at least a portion of the $205
million the firm has borrowed from LaSalle Bank under a floating-rate note
due in 2011, according to loan documents.

SEEKING VALUE

Another big hiccup would seem to be par for the course on Block 37, which
has gone through numerous developers, designs and configurations since it
was first cleared for development two decades ago.

The latest plan, a mixed-use project centered on the transit station, was
hammered together by Mayor Richard M. Daley and then-CTA President Frank
Kruesi, who has since retired.

Insiders stress that, while the station itself would offer little profit to
Macquarie despite some possible tax advantages, the airport-express or
Midway deals are potentially worth far more to the bank. Macquarie already
operates one airport express line, in Stockholm, Sweden. Macquarie didn't
return calls

--- In railmishaps@yahoogroups.com, "Dennis_@..." <railchicago@...>
wrote:


Chicago RAILExperts
http://www.railchicago.org

CHICAGO RAILGuide on sale September 04 2007

Woman Struck, Killed By Metra Train In Maywood
(Chicago Sun Times) MAYWOOD, Ill. A woman is dead Sunday after being
struck by a Metra train in west suburban Maywood.
Crews as of 3 p.m. remained on the scene of an accident involving a
woman who was struck and killed by a train, according to a Maywood
police dispatcher, who could not release any further information.

A female pedestrian was struck and killed by a train at 5th Avenue
and St. Charles Road in Maywood, according to the Cook County Medical
Examiner's office.

Metra trains have stopped operating around Maywood because of the
police activity along the tracks.

--- End forwarded message ---

Transit bill advances in House -- chicagotribune.com
www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/west/chi-transitfunding_30aug30,0,5001846.
story

chicagotribune.com
Transit bill advances in House
But governor vows to veto legislation
By Richard Wronski

Tribune staff reporter

August 30, 2007

Retooled legislation to raise hundreds of millions of dollars that transit
agencies say are vital to avoid a "downward spiral" of service reductions
and fare increases cleared its first legislative hurdle Wednesday.

But Gov. Rod Blagojevich reaffirmed his opposition to the measure, saying
the $450 million bill would hurt the average person by increasing sales
taxes in the six-county region and the real estate transfer tax in Chicago.
The governor would veto the bill as written, said spokeswoman Abby
Ottenhoff.

Supporters of the bill, including House Speaker Michael Madigan, argue that
it is the only realistic chance for keeping the region's mass transit system
viable, but Blagojevich contends there are other options, mainly closing
what he described as corporate tax breaks.

Time is running out, however. Some CTA and Pace fare increases and service
cuts begin Sept. 16, and more will follow.

The House Mass Transit Committee approved the legislation 15-4. Supporters
plan to bring the measure before the full House Tuesday and are seeking a
veto-proof majority.

"I do not support the plan to require people to pay a higher sales tax and
real estate transfer tax," Blagojevich said in a statement. "That just ends
up hurting the very people who rely on mass transit."

The governor said he would continue his efforts to close "special business
tax loopholes" that he said could raise hundreds of millions in revenue a
year.

The governor's office put forth nine items, including taxing certain
business software, that it said would raise more than $370 million a year.

But committee Chairwoman Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), scoffed at
Blagojevich's proposal, saying closing loopholes has been his response to
every budget problem this session.

The governor's strategy offers no comprehensive, long-term transit solution,
Hamos said.

"One man's corporate tax loophole is another's economic development
incentive," Hamos said.

The problem, Hamos said, is "we don't have four legislative leaders and a
governor who are working together. If we did, we could do anything, even at
the last minute."

A wide range of supporters testified before the committee Wednesday. They
included the elderly, local government officials, labor unions, civic groups
and disabled paratransit riders, who complained of being the first to have
to pay higher fares.

George Ranney, president of Chicago Metropolis 2020, a business-backed
group, said traffic already imposes "hidden taxes" on the region that are
higher than the ones proposed in the legislation.

Without a better transit system, "families will pay more, and the businesses
will be driven away from the region," Ranney said. "And these are the
businesses that employ the people that the governor wants to protect."

Brian Klinksiek, co-director of the Transit Riders' Alliance, said
supporters have sent nearly 37,000 faxes and e-mails through the advocacy
group's Web site to legislators and the governor. Supporters come from
across the six-county RTA region, he said.

In their testimony before the committee, leaders of the CTA, Metra and Pace,
and the Regional Transportation Authority reiterated the need for the
legislation to close a $226 million budget shortfall this year and provide a
dedicated source of revenue in the future.

CTA President Ron Huberman said if the agency is forced to go ahead with a
fare increase, elimination of 39 bus routes and 600 layoffs Sept. 16, as
threatened, it will start a "downward spiral" that could cost it 175,000
riders in six months.

Some Chicago Card Plus customers received e-mail from the CTA Wednesday
warning that without additional funding, the doomsday contingency plan would
take effect Sept. 16. The cost of a 30-day unlimited Chicago Card Plus card
would increase from $75 to $84 under the contingency plan, the e-mail said.

CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney said the messages are part of the first phase
of notifying Chicago Card customers of upcoming changes.

The transit legislation calls for raising sales taxes in the six counties by
0.25 of a cent, or about 25 cents on every $100 purchase. In addition, the
collar counties -- Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry -- would add an
equal amount, which each county would retain for its own use.

The measure also would authorize Chicago to increase the real estate
transfer tax to $10.50 from $7.50 for every $1,000 worth of property that is
sold.

----------

rwronski@...

Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

--- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, "dennismk12002"
<Dennismk1@...> wrote:
>
> --- In Bus_Emergency@yahoogroups.com, "driver_alert_911"
> <driver_alert_911@> wrote:
>
>   As many as 10 people suffered minor injuries this morning when a
> cement truck rear-ended a Chicago Transit Authority bus, a
spokeswoman
> for the CTA said.
>
> The southbound No. 108 Halsted bus...

    I think the writer meant 108 Halstead-95th bus, not to be confused
with either the 8 Halstead(which doesn't get that far south...) or
the 8A South Halstead(which does, but goes further north than the 8A,
but not as far up as the 8...hey, even a Philadelphian can figure
that one out!).

     Later


     Michael T. Greene(who wishes a Happy Labor Day to our American
and Canadian readers...for others, I hope your day was a good one,
too)

Michael T. Greene wrote:
>> The southbound No. 108 Halsted bus...
>>
>
>    I think the writer meant 108 Halstead-95th bus, not to be confused
> with either the 8 Halstead(which doesn't get that far south...) or
> the 8A South Halstead(which does, but goes further north than the 8A,
> but not as far up as the 8...hey, even a Philadelphian can figure
> that one out!).
>


At least he spelled it Halsted instead (insted?) of Halstead.

At 3:22pm -0500, 09/03/07, Robert J Madison <rmadisonwi@...> wrote:
>Michael T. Greene wrote:

>>>The southbound No. 108 Halsted bus...

>>I think the writer meant 108 Halstead-95th bus, not to be confused with
>>either the 8 Halstead(which doesn't get that far south...) or the 8A South
>>Halstead(which does, but goes further north than the 8A, but not as far up
>>as the 8...hey, even a Philadelphian can figure that one out!).

>At least he spelled it Halsted instead (insted?) of Halstead.

Hm. Isn't Halsted a Chicago misspelling of a Dutch name?

--- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, "Adam H. Kerman" <ahk@...> wrote:
>
> At 3:22pm -0500, 09/03/07, Robert J Madison <rmadisonwi@...> wrote:
> >Michael T. Greene wrote:
>
>
> >At least he spelled it Halsted instead (insted?) of Halstead.
>
> Hm. Isn't Halsted a Chicago misspelling of a Dutch name?
>


Unlikely, based on my familiarity of Dutch.


Bill Vandervoort, Chicago, IL

Visit the Chicago Transit & Railfan Web Site at
http://hometown.aol.com/chirailfan/

Based on the time and date, it was an 8A South Halsted.  The 108
Halsted/95th bus only runs during rush hours Monday through Friday.





--- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, "Michael T. Greene"
<michael_t_greene@...> wrote:
>
> --- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, "dennismk12002"
> <Dennismk1@> wrote:
> >
> > --- In Bus_Emergency@yahoogroups.com, "driver_alert_911"
> > <driver_alert_911@> wrote:
> >
> >   As many as 10 people suffered minor injuries this morning when
a
> > cement truck rear-ended a Chicago Transit Authority bus, a
> spokeswoman
> > for the CTA said.
> >
> > The southbound No. 108 Halsted bus...
>
>    I think the writer meant 108 Halstead-95th bus, not to be
confused
> with either the 8 Halstead(which doesn't get that far south...) or
> the 8A South Halstead(which does, but goes further north than the
8A,
> but not as far up as the 8...hey, even a Philadelphian can figure
> that one out!).
>
>     Later
>
>
>     Michael T. Greene(who wishes a Happy Labor Day to our American
> and Canadian readers...for others, I hope your day was a good one,
> too)
>

--- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, timothius2002 <hschill924@...>
wrote:
>
> So with all of these "X" routes on the chopping block if Springfield
doesn't
> get their act in order soon, I was wondering whether the dropping of
the
> express runs means that there will be additional local service to
make up
> for it some or just a great reduction in busses on those streets.

It would almost have to be a total reduction in buses... otherwise no
savings will be realized. The cost comes from the fuel and the wages
of the bus driver- so there's no significant difference in cost
between operating, say, the X80 and the 80. To eliminate the X80 and
replace it with more 80's doesn't save any money.

As a user of the X80, I can't say strongly enough how I hope this
doesn't have to happen.

--- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, timothius2002 <hschill924@...>
wrote:
>
> So with all of these "X" routes on the chopping block if Springfield
doesn't
> get their act in order soon, I was wondering whether the dropping of
the
> express runs means that there will be additional local service to
make up
> for it some or just a great reduction in busses on those streets.

It would almost have to be a total reduction in buses... otherwise no
savings will be realized. The cost comes from the fuel and the wages
of the bus driver- so there's no significant difference in cost
between operating, say, the X80 and the 80. To eliminate the X80 and
replace it with more 80's doesn't save any money.

As a user of the X80, I can't say strongly enough how I hope this
doesn't have to happen.

From: Harvey Kahler <harvey.kahler@...>
Reply-To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 12:01:49 -0700 (PDT)
To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CHICAGOTRANSIT] Re: express bus cuts

You may regret the loss of the 80X; but given the consensus that little time was saved beyond which bus comes first, "budget/deficit considerations" may give cover to withdraw services that failed to provide a hoped-for level of improvement.

Patrick <chicagopatrick@...> wrote:

            
            
--- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com <mailto:CHICAGOTRANSIT%40yahoogroups.com> , timothius2002 <hschill924@...>
wrote:
>
> So with all of these "X" routes on the chopping block if Springfield
doesn't
> get their act in order soon, I was wondering whether the dropping of
the
> express runs means that there will be additional local service to
make up
> for it some or just a great reduction in busses on those streets.

I think several of the X lines receive FTA demonstration money, so
the calculation of cost/benefit is not the same as for ordinary lines.

--- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, ajk100@... wrote:
>
> If the deficits are rising exponentially, why is this happening?

As I understand it, the biggest single factor appears to be the
state's insistence (dating from the Madigan-Kruesi flap) that CTA quit
underfunding its pensions beginning in 2008. This is an additional
nine-figure annual obligation, above and beyond this year's structural
deficit.

Chicago, as a home rule municipality, can levy a variety of user fees
and incidental taxes. However, most taxation by Chicago and all RTA
taxation requires enabling legislation from Illinois. The state has
the authority to levy sales taxes and gives localities the option to
enact a local-option portion; Chicago and Cook County have exercised
that to its statutory limit. Any further increases would require
amending state legislation. Similarly, the MPEA taxes (hotels, rental
cars, airport taxis) are spelled out explicitly in MPEA's enabling
legislation.

Remember that, in the United States, all local governments (and, in a
way, the federal government) are creations of the state(s). While
Illinois is not a Dillon Rule state and therefore keeps municipalities
on rather long leashes, taxation is still tightly controlled from
Springfield.

Several states do use statewide funds to subsidize city transit
operations: I know that Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania
each dedicate to transit a slice of statewide sales taxes, as well as
other funds. This recognizes that transit is necessary to the economic
life of the city, which in turn is necessary to the economic life of
the state. It doesn't matter if you live in Marengo or Rockford, it
matters to you that Chicago keeps moving -- if it withers away, like
St. Louis or Detroit, that hurts you.
pc

And people will complain and things might change!  The idea is to
partially make things hurt.

--- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, timothius2002 <hschill924@...>
wrote:
>
> The problem being that if there is an overall reduction in busses to
serve a
> street which needs them (particularly during rush) due to the "X"
cuts, then
> what remains as far as service will be terribly overcrowded and
slowed from
> even that which local service offers at present.
>
>
> From: Harvey Kahler <harvey.kahler@...>
> Reply-To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 12:01:49 -0700 (PDT)
> To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [CHICAGOTRANSIT] Re: express bus cuts
>
>
> You may regret the loss of the 80X; but given the consensus that
little time
> was saved beyond which bus comes first, "budget/deficit
considerations" may
> give cover to withdraw services that failed to provide a hoped-for
level of
> improvement.
>
> Patrick <chicagopatrick@...> wrote:
>
>
> --- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:CHICAGOTRANSIT%40yahoogroups.com> , timothius2002 <hschill924@>
> wrote:
> >
> > So with all of these "X" routes on the chopping block if Springfield
> doesn't
> > get their act in order soon, I was wondering whether the dropping of
> the
> > express runs means that there will be additional local service to
> make up
> > for it some or just a great reduction in busses on those streets.
>

At 2:23am -0000, 09/05/07, PC <paytonc@...> wrote:

>Chicago, as a home rule municipality, can levy a variety of user fees
>and incidental taxes. However, most taxation by Chicago and all RTA
>taxation requires enabling legislation from Illinois. The state has
>the authority to levy sales taxes and gives localities the option to
>enact a local-option portion; Chicago and Cook County have exercised
>that to its statutory limit.

You are talking about the "base" sales tax which includes a state portion
and local portion. The state portion exempts food and medicine. The local
portion may be levied by municipalities and counties on unincorporated
areas; food and medicine are not exempt. As far as I know, every
municipality and county levied it years ago.

>Any further increases would require amending state legislation.

There is no state ceiling on home rules sales taxes. Both Chicago and Cook
County have home rule and do indeed impose a home rule sales tax. As long as
they use the same tax base as the state portion, the tax is administered and
collected by the state.

Several of the collar counties were authorized to levy a sales tax for
highway by ordinance. Strangely, Lake County wasn't, and later, was
authorized to levy it through binding referendum, which lost. The 1/4 % in
the RTA amended legislation... I'm not clear. Is the legislature levying the
tax increase to pass along to the collar counties, or is it merely
authorizing the counties to do it by ordinance?

I find it amusing that the legislation requires Chicago to levy the real
estate transfer tax. Finally, Daley has to dirty his hands with a slight
responsibility for higher taxes for transit.

>Remember that, in the United States, all local governments (and, in a
>way, the federal government) are creations of the state(s). While
>Illinois is not a Dillon Rule state and therefore keeps municipalities
>on rather long leashes, taxation is still tightly controlled from
>Springfield.

See the Home Rule provisions of the state constitution.

>Several states do use statewide funds to subsidize city transit
>operations: I know that Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania
>each dedicate to transit a slice of statewide sales taxes, as well as
>other funds. This recognizes that transit is necessary to the economic
>life of the city, which in turn is necessary to the economic life of
>the state. It doesn't matter if you live in Marengo or Rockford, it
>matters to you that Chicago keeps moving -- if it withers away, like
>St. Louis or Detroit, that hurts you.

New York state has an enormous subsidy to transit.

I don't see the argument against requiring all taxes to be raised locally.
Politically, we'd be better off if all taxes for local government were
raised locally. There'd be a greater incentive to spend wisely.

When the "X" routes were added a few years back, they were in ADDITION
to existing service. Later, some local service was reduced, especially
on Western. However, you can expect no appreciable increase in locals
when the expresses are dropped in 2 weeks.

Basically, all additions to service from Krusei's era are going.

See, CTA cried wolf in 2005, then no wolf materialized. So now they
cried wolf again, and nobody is lsitening. Unless they actually see a
dead sheep (major service cuts), nobody will believe CTA. Realistically,
these cuts are now inevitable if this situation is ever to be dealt
with.

Andre

OK folks - time to get political. CTA has a number 1 enemy, and is name
is Rod Blagoyevich. Unfortunately Illinois does not have a means of
recalling a governor, or I would be suggesting that the process be
started, based on "gross incompitence and misfeasance". (in other words,
the man is an idiot and keeping him in office is detrimental to the
state). So, we have to live with him until the next election. Should he
choose to run again, and I hear the coward is leaning towards nor doing
so, we should all work to see that he gets as close to NO votes in
Chicago as possible. Support ANYBODY who runs against him, as it is
unlikely anybody could be worse for Chicago and Illinois.

Andre

The problem being that if there is an overall reduction in busses to serve a street which needs them (particularly during rush) due to the "X" cuts, then what remains as far as service will be terribly overcrowded and slowed from even that which local service offers at present.   

When the "X" routes were added a few years back, they were in ADDITION
to existing service. Later, some local service was reduced, especially
on Western. However, you can expect no appreciable increase in locals
when the expresses are dropped in 2 weeks.

Basically, all additions to service from Krusei's era are going.

See, CTA cried wolf in 2005, then no wolf materialized. So now they
cried wolf again, and nobody is lsitening. Unless they actually see a
dead sheep (major service cuts), nobody will believe CTA. Realistically,
these cuts are now inevitable if this situation is ever to be dealt
with.

Andre

Which is why I raise the question.  If there is an appreciable enough in
reduction of service, people may take note.  Yet if these cuts are more
marginal, then it really may not hurt enough to amount to anything more than
pruning which becomes permanent service reductions not only in the short but
long run.



> From: "Al Reinschmidt" <buslist@...>
> Reply-To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2007 03:20:39 -0000
> To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [CHICAGOTRANSIT] Re: express bus cuts
>
> And people will complain and things might change!  The idea is to
> partially make things hurt.
>
> --- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com, timothius2002 <hschill924@...>
> wrote:
>>
>> The problem being that if there is an overall reduction in busses to
> serve a
>> street which needs them (particularly during rush) due to the "X"
> cuts, then
>> what remains as far as service will be terribly overcrowded and
> slowed from
>> even that which local service offers at present.
>>
>>
>> From: Harvey Kahler <harvey.kahler@...>
>> Reply-To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
>> Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 12:01:49 -0700 (PDT)
>> To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
>> Subject: Re: [CHICAGOTRANSIT] Re: express bus cuts
>>
>>
>> You may regret the loss of the 80X; but given the consensus that
> little time
>> was saved beyond which bus comes first, "budget/deficit
> considerations" may
>> give cover to withdraw services that failed to provide a hoped-for
> level of
>> improvement.
>>
>> Patrick <chicagopatrick@...> wrote:
>>
>>
>> --- In CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
>> <mailto:CHICAGOTRANSIT%40yahoogroups.com> , timothius2002 <hschill924@>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> So with all of these "X" routes on the chopping block if Springfield
>> doesn't
>>> get their act in order soon, I was wondering whether the dropping of
>> the
>>> express runs means that there will be additional local service to
>> make up
>>> for it some or just a great reduction in busses on those streets.
>>
>

> From: ajk100@...
> Reply-To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 10:34:33 -0500
> To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [CHICAGOTRANSIT] express bus cuts
>
> See, CTA cried wolf in 2005, then no wolf materialized. So now they
> cried wolf again, and nobody is lsitening. Unless they actually see a
> dead sheep (major service cuts), nobody will believe CTA. Realistically,
> these cuts are now inevitable if this situation is ever to be dealt
> with.

But are the presently proposed cuts really all that severe as to make a real
difference?  Afterall, they are largely scaled back from what was originally
put out there.  Now, if they wanted to say, plainly, "We are going to a
Sunday schedule on all routes, complete with Sunday headways where service
remains," there would actually be a difference and lot of pain.  Most
likely, it is that sort of major threat and follow through which it would
take to get something accomplished, rather than slowly pecking away in
lesser ways.

> From: ajk100@...
> Reply-To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 10:45:36 -0500
> To: CHICAGOTRANSIT@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [CHICAGOTRANSIT] Transit bill advances in House --
> chicagotribune.com.htm
>
> OK folks - time to get political. CTA has a number 1 enemy, and is name
> is Rod Blagoyevich. Unfortunately Illinois does not have a means of
> recalling a governor, or I would be suggesting that the process be
> started, based on "gross incompitence and misfeasance". (in other words,
> the man is an idiot and keeping him in office is detrimental to the
> state). So, we have to live with him until the next election. Should he
> choose to run again, and I hear the coward is leaning towards nor doing
> so, we should all work to see that he gets as close to NO votes in
> Chicago as possible. Support ANYBODY who runs against him, as it is
> unlikely anybody could be worse for Chicago and Illinois.
>
> Andre

Shouldn't we have done that LAST year?  It isn't like we didn't know better
until now.

OK folks - time to get political. CTA has a number 1 enemy, and is name
is Rod Blagoyevich. Unfortunately Illinois does not have a means of
recalling a governor, or I would be suggesting that the process be
started, based on "gross incompitence and misfeasance". (in other words,
the man is an idiot and keeping him in office is detrimental to the
state). So, we have to live with him until the next election. Should he
choose to run again, and I hear the coward is leaning towards nor doing
so, we should all work to see that he gets as close to NO votes in
Chicago as possible. Support ANYBODY who runs against him, as it is
unlikely anybody could be worse for Chicago and Illinois.

Andre

At 10:45am -0500, 09/05/07, ajk100@... wrote:

>OK folks - time to get political. CTA has a number 1 enemy, and is name
>is Rod Blagoyevich.

Just heard that SB 572 as amended failed in the House yesterday by 10 votes.

May I ask why you aren't blaming Daley? He hasn't twisted a single arm. His
father always figured out how to get what he wanted out of the legislature,
yet he's practically washed his hands of the situation.

>Unfortunately Illinois does not have a means of recalling a governor, or I
>would be suggesting that the process be started, based on "gross
>incompitence and misfeasance". (in other words, the man is an idiot and
>keeping him in office is detrimental to the state). So, we have to live
>with him until the next election. Should he choose to run again, and I hear
>the coward is leaning towards nor doing so, we should all work to see that
>he gets as close to NO votes in Chicago as possible. Support ANYBODY who
>runs against him, as it is unlikely anybody could be worse for Chicago and
>Illinois.

Did you vote against Blagojevich last time? Judy Barr Topinka was a known
transit supporter. I considered voting for her but couldn't do it after she
announced her unconscionable plan to balance the state budget with new
revenues from a large scale expansion of gambling. That told me that she
wasn't serious about good government. For the first time in my life, I did
cross over to vote for Rich Whitney, socialist and Green Part nominee and
not an embarrassment. I also voted for the Republican running against that
crook Gianulius whom Obama endorsed to repay early contributions from his
family. Previously, I'd always voted straight Democratic.

At 10:34am -0500, 09/05/07, ajk100@... wrote:

>When the "X" routes were added a few years back, they were in ADDITION
>to existing service. Later, some local service was reduced, especially
>on Western. However, you can expect no appreciable increase in locals
>when the expresses are dropped in 2 weeks.

>Basically, all additions to service from Krusei's era are going.

>See, CTA cried wolf in 2005, then no wolf materialized.

That's 'cuz the legislature bailed them out in two ways: The pension
underfunding had been discovered, but Madigan deferred making it whole until
later fiscal years. Also, they took paratransit off CTA's budget and put it
on RTA's (who in turn assigned it to Pace).

>So now they cried wolf again, and nobody is lsitening. Unless they actually
>see a dead sheep (major service cuts), nobody will believe CTA.
>Realistically, these cuts are now inevitable if this situation is ever to
>be dealt with.