Proposed CTA Fare Increases

People are up in arms over the proposed CTA fare increases.  I think we to think about what we getting upset about.  Here are a few bullet points to ponder.

• Not without its problems, mass transit in Chicago is still really convenient compared to a majority of areas in the United States.  Visiting a friend in Sacramento, I found that the normal frequency for buses was on average 20 -30 mins.  Visiting my parents in the suburbs from where I live in the city, costs me under 10 bucks and is very reliable.

• For the most part you can get anywhere in the city for under 5 bucks.  Even with the fare increases, the mass transit in Chicago is a viable cost effective way to get around.

• Create fare increases that target one time users or tourists.  Many people say that fare increases will create an undue burden on those who rely on it to get to work.  If this is the case, don’t increase the fares on multi-day pass.
  • Habitual users won’t be affected.
  • More people who were originally cash users will now purchase multi-day passes.
  • Multiday passes makes it easier for users to budget their money.  Instead of paying per use, they know they have their transportation covered for the month on the 1st or whenever they buy it.
  • CTA can leverage the up front money of a multiday pass to their advantage.

• Nothing is free, reduced fares for seniors, but no free rides.  Let’s get ride of this well-intentioned but clearly unfeasible program

• In the same spirit of the last bullet point, a system costs money to run, in a tough economy running this system is even more difficult.  Either we buck up and pay the fare increase or we lose service.  I honestly do no believe we are being gouged by CTA, I believe we have been spoiled by an undervalued system for so many years and now we balk when its falling apart or they need fare increases to keep running.

From the few years I have spent in Chicago, I can say I have seen improvement and initiative out of the CTA.  Rider information has become more accessible and transparent.  The buses are now all tracked which helps with trip planning and more effective use of the system.  Stations are being upgraded, lines have been improved.  I would complain about fare increases if I didn’t see any of these changes.

The bottom line is the CTA is doing the best they can with limited resources, I will gladly give them an extra 50 cents to ensure continued improvement efforts.