Chicago Transit Authority

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For the band or album named Chicago Transit Authority, see Chicago (band).

Image:ChicagoLQuincyStAug2004.jpg The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), founded on October 1, 1947, provides bus and rail mass transit services to the citizens of Chicago and several of the city's inner suburbs.

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History

In 1914, all street railways in and immediately around Chicago consolidated to become Chicago Surface Lines (CSL). In 1924, another amalgamation of small companies, made up of Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Co. (formed in 1892), Lake Street Elevated Railroad Co. (1893), Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad Co. (1895), and Northwestern Elevated Railroad Co. (1900), all consolidated to form the Chicago Rapid Transit Company (CRT). These two consolidated companies eventually became the foundation for the CTA.

The CTA was created by an act of the Illinois legislature in 1947. At the time of its formation the CTA assumed operation of most of the city's local transportation services, after acquiring the properties of the Chicago Surface Lines (streetcars and electric buses), the Chicago Rapid Transit Company (elevated and subway trains). In 1953 The CTA took over the Chicago Motor Coach Company (gasoline buses) depite protests from the company.

The Regional Transportation Authority was created in 1974. In 1983, the Regional Transportation Act was amended. In addition to creating Metra out of the regional commuter rail lines and Pace out of the suburban bus companies, it transferred some budgetary control of the CTA to the RTA. Since then, CTA has been required to have a 51% farebox recovery ratio and have its 5-year capital program approved by the RTA. CTA is free to set service levels and fares within those guidelines.

In 1997, after the Clinton Administration cut Federal operating assistance to the CTA, the CTA was forced to cut 10% of its bus service.

In 2005, the CTA faced a budget crisis with a shortfall of $55 million. The CTA claimed the shortfall was the result of an outdated transit funding formula and began to persuade Illinois lawmakers to modify the formula. Without additional funding, the CTA threatened to cut service by 36% and raise fares for cash paying riders. In late May, the Illinois State Legislature responded with a bailout of $54 million which led CTA to cancel the proposed service cuts and fare increases for that year. However, the CTA has described the assistance as a "band-aid" and claims that a re-worked funding formula is necessary in order to prevent future budget shortfalls.

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Operations and service area

Template:Chicago L The CTA operates the second-largest public transportation system in the United States in the City of Chicago and 40 surrounding suburbs. On an average weekday, its vehicles accommodate more than 1.43 million riders: 476,000 by heavy rail, 952,100 by bus and 7,700 by demand response (American Public Transit Association, 2005).

Image:CTA-articulated-bus.jpg CTA has about 2,000 buses that operate over 152 routes, 12,000 posted stops and 2,273 route miles. CTA's 1,188 rapid transit cars operate on seven routes and 222 miles of track, serving 144 stations in Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Rosemont, Forest Park, Oak Park and Cicero.

Chicago is one of the few American cities that provides rapid transit service to two major airports. From downtown, the CTA's Blue Line takes customers to O'Hare International Airport in about 40 minutes and the Orange Line takes customers to Midway Airport in about 30 minutes.

CTA train stations are manned by at least one Customer Assistant. Access to trains is done through a station house consisting of the Customer Assistant's booth, fare card vending machines, turnstiles, and access to the train platform. Some stations include unmanned fare card only entrances with rotating gates. One disadvantage of these entrances is that the rotating gates can be forced allowing fare dodgers to gain entrance to the station without having to jump turnstiles.

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Chicago Transit Board

The governing arm of the CTA is the Chicago Transit Board. The board consists of seven members appointed by the Mayor of Chicago and the Governor of Illinois. The Mayor's appointees are subject to the approval of the Governor and the Chicago City Council; the Governor's appointees are subject to the approval of the Mayor and the Illinois State Senate. CTA's day-to-day operations are directed by its President.

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Revenue

The CTA generates revenue from farebox collections and also receives supplemental funding for operating expenses from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).

CTA Budget 1999
Operating Budget $795.9 million
Capital Budget $235.0 million
CTA Budget 2000
Operating Budget $841 million
Capital Budget $409 million
CTA Budget 2001
Operating Budget $869 million
Capital Budget $477 million
CTA Budget 2002
Operating Budget $915 million
Capital Budget $495 million
CTA Budget 2003
Operating Budget $925 million
Capital Budget $539 million
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Employment

The Chicago Transit Authority employs more than 11,000 people.

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Fare collection

The CTA allows riders to board a bus or train and pay with cash, coins, transit cards, or Chicago Cards.

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Paying with cash

As of January 1st, 2006, only buses will allow riders to pay with cash and/or coins. The cash fare is $2.00, and cash transfers are no longer available. Some rail station turnstiles accepted cash but the CTA has gotten rid of this feature (it slows boarding).

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Paying with transit cards

Transit cards are for sale at all rail stations and at the CTA's headquarters. There are two types of transit cards: stored-value and unlimited rides. Unlimited ride cards can be purchased at the CTA headquarters and from vending machines at select CTA Stations (O'hare, Midway, Chicago/Red Line), as well as from a variety of retail outlets throughout the Chicago area, including many currency exchanges. They are available for one day ($5), two days ($9), five days, seven days, and thirty days. There are plans to install fare card and transit card vending machines at downtown Metra train stations (Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center, LaSalle St. Station) in early 2006.

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Paying with Chicago Cards

Main article: Chicago Card

The Chicago Card (along with the Chicago Card Plus) is a contactless smart card, powered by RFID, used by riders of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to electronically pay for bus and train fares.

Both the Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus cost $5, though this fee is occasionally waived. They have one important difference: the Chicago Card Plus is linked to a credit card and thus can reload automatically and store a monthly pass, whereas the Chicago Card needs to be reloaded with cash at El stops or select businesses.

Chicago Cards may be obtained anonymously, but most are registered with the CTA for ease of replacement in case of theft or loss.

Fares paid with the Chicago Card are less expensive than they are for other riders; $1.75 for a one-way fare, and $0.25 for transfer to up to two other rides within two hours of initial fare.

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Benefits of the Chicago Card

Both can be recovered in case of theft, loss, or destruction with the balance of the card at the time of an incident.

Due to its contactless nature, cards are waved in front of a sensor at rail station turnstiles and at small pads on buses. There are often special dedicated lanes at major L stops and on certain buses specifically for Chicago Card carriers. Typically it need not be removed from a wallet or purse to pay a fare.

The Chicago Card can be reloaded at any L stop and at over 60 non-CTA locations throughout Chicago. In addition, the CTA adds $2.00 for every $20.00 in fares loaded onto a Chicago Card.

The Chicago Card Plus is connected to a credit card and reloaded automatically when the current balance passes a rider-defined threshold. In addition, the Chicago Card Plus offers the option of a monthly pass for $75.00

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Drawbacks of the Chicago Card

Most Chicago Cards and all Chicago Cards Plus are linked directly to an individual for replacement purposes. Thus, it is possible for the CTA to track a particular rider throughout the system.

Since the card is RFID-based, it is possible to capture card information remotely.

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Recent fare changes and lawsuit

As of January 1, 2006, the CTA significantly altered its fare table. Prior to this change, all fares paid for either by cash, magnetic-striped card, or Chicago Card were $1.75 one-way and $0.25 for a transfer good for two additional rides within two hours.

Cash fares on buses were increased to $2.00 for each ride, with no transfers available for cash customers and cash no longer being accepted by L turnstiles. Customers paying with the magnetic-striped Transit Card now pay $1.75 on buses, $2.00 on the L, and $0.25 for transfers. Riders paying with the Chicago Card continue to pay their fares at the old rate of $1.75 one-way and $0.25 for transfers.

To clarify, the transfer is charged to the card when paying for the second ride; the deduction is not automatic.

See the CTA's guide for easy to digest information.

On Friday the 6th of January, 2006, a commuter filed a discrimination lawsuit against the CTA because she was unable to buy a Chicago Card and thus has had her daily commute costs rise from $4 to $12 as a result of the new fare policies. [1] [2]

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Similar transit cards

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See also

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External links

ko:시카고 교통국 nl:Chicago Transit Authority

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