At a news conference Wednesday at ATU Local 241 headquarters, Local 241 attorney Joe Pass stated the union’s intent to file a series of lawsuits against the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to be completed by end of this week.

Those filings are now complete.

The lawsuits, which range from a class-action grievance aimed at CTA employee relations, a federal suit for violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and a state lawsuit filed in Cook County to enforce 10 contract agreements, the Union claims the CTA has refused to honor and abide.

Pass noted that the CTA could resolve the grievance portion by hiring back at least 50 operators.

In response to CTA spokesperson Noelle Gaffney’s claims that employees signed a workbook to work overtime, and that the Union was “going to court instead violates the terms of the contract,” Pass retorted, “If the current situation was not so serious, Ms. Gaffney’s comments regarding Local 241’s lawsuits would be laughable.

Her suggestion that the Union must use the “grievance” procedure to resolve disputes demonstrates her ignorance to reality at the CTA, as well as the law.”

”If her comments are directed toward the federal lawsuit, certainly the CTA must be aware the law permits any employee denied his or her rights under federal statutes to seek redress in federal court,” Pass continued.

“Furthermore we shall continue to press our cases in the appropriate state and federal jurisdictions and are considering additional actions if the CTA continues on its ways.”

Pass also said CTA management has conspicuously not mentioned the huge union givebacks of recent years.

Local 241 gave back the CTA $1.3 billion, he noted, ranging from relieving CTA of retiree healthcare that they are no longer liable and bond money relief more than two years ago.

Additionally, Pass said, the union’s 2007, 3 percent wage increase went directly to the pension fund and not in the pockets of workers.

Moreover, in 2008, 3 percent of wages went to the retiree health care, and this year 2.3 percent of scheduled pay raises again went to the pension fund to bail out the CTA of their financial calamity.

Darrell Jefferson, president of ATU Local 241 made it clear that “We are not here to hurt the riding public. Some members may call for a possible strike vote as early as Monday, but I will be advising against it.”

With more CTA lay-offs scheduled for Sunday, Jefferson warned. “The longer waits and the longer lines are yet to come.”

Jefferson also reinforced his commitment to work with CTA to help find a permanent funding solution for mass transit in Chicago.

“I will work with CTA to get to any type of positive conclusion, whatever it takes,” Jefferson said.

“I’ll go to the state, to the feds, to Mercury, to Mars, I’ll go there with them if it’s going to bring funding back for mass transit in the city of Chicago. But, if we’re not going to try to get something permanent, I don’t want to be a part of it.”

ATU Local 241 is the voice of working people employed in the transportation industry.

It is the largest local within the ATU in the United States with nearly 11,000 members.

MEDIA CONTACT:

A. C. McLean, 312-341-1733
acm@firsttracecommunications.com
First Trace Communications

ATU Local 241 lawsuit filings against CTA now complete | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The House voted 83-27, with three other representatives voting present, to move legislation pushed by Rep. Suzanne Bassi (R-Palatine) on to the Illinois Senate.

Under Bassis plan, low-income seniors still could ride public buses and trains for free, but more-affluent seniors would pay half-fare.

Anyone making under $27,610 a year or a couple making $36,635 would continue to be able to ride for free.

Bassi said the move would save the cash-strapped Regional Transportation Authority $37 million a year. The transit agency is running a roughly $90 million annual deficit.

Its going to take the whole system down if we dont correct it now, Bassi said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the CTA board formally met today with the leader of the CTAs bus drivers union for the first time since staffing and service cuts were imposed more than two weeks ago, but they didnt agree on much, and no further meetings are planned, a spokeswoman for the transit agency said.

Darrell Jefferson, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241, told CTA chairman Terry Peterson that the union wont agree to any salary cuts or other concessions sought by the agency to bring back workers and restore service cuts, CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney said.

The union, unfortunately, made it clear they wont make concessions necessary to bring back employees and restore service, Gaffney said.

Jefferson has said he might call a strike vote Monday. The head of the L workers union, though, has said he wont seek a strike vote in the wake of the Feb. 7 service cuts and 1,057 layoffs.

The bus drivers, meanwhile, said it plans to file a series of major lawsuits against the CTA, accusing the agency of contract violations.

One thing the two sides did agree on today: to work together to lobby Springfield and Washington, D.C., for more transit money.

House votes to limit free rides for seniors | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Especially on the south and west sides.

The CTA strongly denies that allegation.

This week the agency laid off a thousand fifty seven workers and cut numerous bus and train routes to cope with a ninety five million dollar budget shortfall.

It says it needs concessions from the unions on pay raises and furlough days before services can be restored.

But now employees who are on the job are threatening to obey speed limits and CTA rules so closely, that service will suffer even more.

Some drivers said continued cuts will endanger public safety.

Union leaders said they hope to meet with CTA officials on Wednesday, and say they won’t settle for a temporary fix.

Read the original article from FOX Chicago News.

CTA union threatens slowdown | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Bus service is available during all hours the show is open.

CTA’s #3 King Drive and #21 Cermak bus routes provide direct service to McCormick Place. #3 buses serve McCormick Place from North Michigan Avenue and the South Side every nine to 15 minutes.

#21 buses serve the West Side, operating to McCormick Place from North Riverside Park Mall approximately every 13 to 18 minutes and 20 minutes later on weekday evenings and Sunday evenings.

#21 buses also serve the South Side from Mercy Hospital operating approximately every 15 minutes. Customers also can take the CTA’s Red Line and transfer to #21 buses at the Cermak-Chinatown station.

In addition, the #129 West Loop/South Loop operates between the Ogilvie Transportation Center and McCormick place during weekday evening rush hours.

CTA also will operate two bus routes dedicated to Auto Show service. One route will provide convenient connections with CTA’s rail lines downtown and Metra lines at Ogilvie Transportation Center, Union Station and LaSalle Street station.

Service will operate approximately every 15 to 20 minutes on weekdays and approximately every seven-and-a-half to 15 minutes on weekends between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. each day, and until 9 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21.

On weekends only, a shuttle service will operate from the Halsted station on the Orange Line approximately every 15 minutes beginning one half hour before the Auto Show opens to one hour after the event closes.

Auto Show Service

Auto Show buses start their trips from Ogilvie Transportation Center on Clinton at Washington, making stops south on Clinton, east on Monroe and east on Jackson to Wabash.

A stop is also made on Columbus at 11th to serve the Museum Campus.

From Columbus and 11th, the buses run express to McCormick Place.

Customers can connect to buses on Jackson from the Blue Line at Dearborn, the Red Line at State, and from Brown, Green, Orange and Pink Line trains serving the Adams/Wabash station (one block north of Jackson).

CTA Fares

For bus customers who use CTA fare media, fares are $2 and transfers are an additional 25 cents. For rail customers the fare is $2.25 and transfers are an additional 25 cents.

The fare for bus customers paying cash is $2.25. Transfers are not available for customers paying fares in cash.

For further information about CTA service, call 836-7000 (all local area codes) or visit the CTA Web site at transitchicago.com.

CTA provides service to McCormick Place for 2010 Chicago Auto Show | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Riders are expected to feel the full impact of service reductions on Monday, February 8, the first weekday under reduced operation.

Service will run less frequently on 119 bus routes and seven of CTA’s eight rail lines, and hours of service will be reduced on 41 bus routes.

These routes either will start service later in the morning, end service earlier at night or both.  In addition, nine express bus routes that have corresponding local service will be eliminated.

Although the service reductions were designed to minimize the impact on rush hour service, riders should expect to experience longer wait times, particularly in off peak hours, and more crowded buses and trains.

Under current operation there are already numerous rail and bus routes that are at capacity during rush periods.

When service is reduced, crowding on these routes will increase so, in addition to longer wait times, riders who travel on the agency’s highest volume routes may have to wait for multiple buses or trains before boarding.

The CTA is advising riders to allow for additional travel time.

“We don’t want to reduce service or lay off employees – we would rather be adding service, growing ridership and saving jobs.  We know that the service reductions will inconvenience our riders and add time to their commutes,” said CTA President Richard L. Rodriguez.

“Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that we don’t have the funds we need to maintain our existing service.  Our largest labor unions have been unwilling to help us reduce costs, even if it means more than 1,000 of their members lose their jobs.”

“We know that we have many dedicated employees that will be laid off on Sunday.  Their preference would be to keep working rather than join the ranks of the unemployed,” said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Terry Peterson.

“Sadly, the leaders of the labor unions have not shared our urgency in working to save jobs for their members and preserve service for our riders.  These service reductions will make it more difficult for people to get where they need to go.”

Over the last few weeks, CTA has posted information on its vehicles, at stations and on its Web site.

Hundreds of CTA representatives have been out on the system at key locations to pass out informational brochures to riders which will continue into next week.

Information has also been provided to offices of local elected officials to share with their constituents and help them prepare for the impact of service reductions and to Chambers of Commerce, municipalities, city agencies and faith-based organizations to have on hand for residents who may contact them for information.

Customer alerts have been posted across the system listing routes that will be impacted.

Information has also been programmed on digital displays and electronic signage at rail stations and affected bus routes have been playing announcements outlining specific changes since early January.

Signs are also posted at all CTA bus stops notifying customers of the changes to service.

Service has been scheduled so that vehicles are carrying as many people as possible.

As a result, both buses and trains will be crowded at all hours.  As a general guideline, riders can expect an additional two to five minutes between buses during weekday rush periods.

Rail customers can expect an additional one to two minutes for a train during rush hour, and generally two to five minutes longer during off-peak hours.

Although that may not seem significant, both buses and trains will fill up faster as a result of the service decrease, particularly during peak service hours, and riders may be forced to wait for multiple vehicles to pass before being able to board.

During off peak service hours, generally riders can expect an additional two to eight minutes between buses – during very late evening hours, there may be an additional 10 to 15 minutes between buses.

Customers are strongly encouraged to check the CTA Web site for specific information regarding their routes.

Informational brochures are available to customers at rail stations, on CTA’s Web site at transitchicago.com and through CTA’s Customer Service Center via e-mail at feedback@transitchicago.com or by calling 1-888-YOUR CTA (1-888-968-7282).

Brochures are available in English, Spanish, Polish and Chinese.  Detailed route-by-route information is available on the CTA’s Web site: transitchicago.com

Reduced CTA service set to start Sunday, Feb. 7; Prepare for longer wait times, more crowded buses | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Gov. Pat Quinn today visited Rockford to award $60 million in state capital funds to establish passenger rail service from Chicago to Rockford.

The new service could result in as many as 2,000 new jobs, including more than 650 construction jobs.

“This week, we were happy to receive $1.2 billion in federal money for high-speed rail that will take people between Chicago and St. Louis,” said Gov. Quinn.

“Now we want to make sure people can travel from Chicago to Rockford and beyond. This new line is going to connect Chicago to the western part of our state, create jobs and bring more visitors to the city of Rockford.”

The Chicago to Rockford project is one leg of a planned passenger train service extension that would connect west across northern Illinois to Dubuque, Iowa.

Trains would depart Dubuque early in the morning, arriving in Chicago in the late morning. Trains would depart Chicago in the evening, arriving in Dubuque before midnight.

“It is important that we continue to invest in our state’s rail system,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “We hope to get this project started this year and are very excited about what the future holds for passenger rail in Illinois.”

Despite being the second largest city in Illinois, Rockford has not seen passenger rail service since 1981.

Preliminary work will start immediately with construction slated to begin in 2011, creating new jobs that will benefit the city with the highest unemployment in the state.

Federal officials announced Thursday that Illinois will receive $1.2 billion through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to begin track and signal upgrades for high-speed passenger rail service between Chicago and St. Louis.

The funding for this passenger rail project is part of Illinois Jobs Now!, a job generation and capital improvement program that will revive the state’s ailing economy by creating and retaining over 439,000 jobs over six years.

Gov. Quinn announces capital funding for Rockford passenger rail | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Orange Line trains will be rerouted from the inner track to the outer Loop track, and travel counterclockwise.

Entering the Loop, Orange Line trains will make their first stop at Adams/Wabash, then Madison/Wabash, Randolph/Wabash, State/Lake, Clark/Lake, Washington/Wells, Quincy/Wells, LaSalle/Van Buren and Library, then proceed to Roosevelt and resume the normal route.

Crews will install new switching equipment as part of the Loop Signal project that will replace the signal and train control systems in the Loop.

The Loop Signal replacement project is expected to conclude in late 2010.

The project is being conducted in phases to help minimize the impact to customers.

The majority of the work has taken place on weekends and in the early morning hours.

Orange Line trains to reroute on Loop elevated tracks on Sunday, Jan. 31 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago Transit Authority President Richard L. Rodriguez today announced a significant development in the agency’s ongoing effort to enhance safety and security on its rail and bus system.

With the installation of cameras at 24 Green Line stations, the CTA’s rail system now has 1,657 cameras at 73 rail stations.

The CTA has received $22.6 million in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds to enhance its security and surveillance network and is using it to expand camera coverage on its rail system.

At least one high definition camera will be installed at every rail station by this summer and additional cameras will be installed across the rail system beginning with the Brown and Red lines later this year.

The Green Line initiative cost approximately $4 million and the expansion plans are budgeted at $9 million.

The remainder of the funds will be used to further enhance the CTA’s security network. All the projects will be paid for by a combination of DHS, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Regional Transportation Authority funds.

CTA also is launching a pilot program to explore the feasibility of retrofitting CTA’s current rail cars with cameras. The pilot will help identify costs and the most efficient design and technology upgrades needed in order to operate the cameras.

This pilot, funded by $800,000 in FTA grants, is expected to begin this spring. New rail cars already on order will come equipped with cameras.

“Safety and security is a top priority across the city and CTA has made great progress in upgrading its infrastructure to include the addition of surveillance cameras,” said Mayor Daley.

“These cameras help police identify and apprehend those who are intent on criminal activity and also can serve as a deterrent.”

“We are pleased that the federal government recognizes the importance of having these tools available at transit agencies and provides funds that allow us to install cameras to help further protect the CTA and the City,” said CTA President Richard L. Rodriguez.

“The cameras across CTA’s rail system make real-time video available to CTA’s Control Center, the Chicago Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management and Communication.

This real-time video allows emergency personnel to assess situations and respond accordingly whether it’s a service disruption or a medical or police emergency.”

“We’re appreciative that the federal government provides the financial resources transit agencies need in order to protect its system and customers,” said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Terry Peterson.

Security on CTA buses and trains is provided by the Chicago Police Department Public Transportation Section.

Officers from the unit include both uniformed and plainclothes officers who ride the trains and buses and patrol stations.

CTA works closely with CPD to identify, apprehend and prosecute individuals who commit crimes on CTA property.

While security cameras are a useful tool, CTA also reminds customers they can assist by reporting any suspicious activity they witness.

Reporting instances of crime or suspicious activity across the system helps CTA and CPD determine how best to deploy resources.

Mayor Daley, CTA officials outline announce completion of security camera installation at 24 green line stations | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The agency plans to take out of service 287 buses in a fleet of about 2,000 vehicles. It remained unclear whether the downsizing of CTA bus operations will continue beyond this year as the transit agency adapts to living within its means during tough times for the economy.

CTA buses provide about 1 million of the 1.7 million rides taken on the system.

In addition to the bus cuts, service will run less frequently on seven of the eight CTA rail lines, officials said.

Union leaders reacted angrily to the agency’s final proposal on Wednesday, charging that CTA management is bloated with bureaucrats who should lose their jobs first.

Darrell Jefferson, president of the union representing CTA bus drivers and bus mechanics, said each bus garage had five managers when he was hired in 1994 and today there are 20 managers at each facility.

“They’re having lunch all day, I guess,” he said. “There’s not enough paperwork for all of them.”

CTA President Richard Rodriguez said Jefferson’s assertions are “completely untruthful.” CTA officials, meanwhile, vented frustration over the unions’ lack of willingness to accept contract concessions at a time when nonunion employees are enduring more unpaid days in 2010, on top of their fourth straight year without a salary increase.

“Our unionized workers have not contributed to solving this problem,” CTA board member Jacquelyne Grimshaw said at the agency’s monthly board meeting. Outside the transit agency’s headquarters, off-duty CTA employees marched, banged on drums, carried protest signs and chanted, “Yes, we can.”

The layoffs and service cuts are projected to save the CTA $95.6 million. Freezing salaries and increasing the number of furlough and unpaid holidays for nonunion employees is estimated to reduce the deficit by $32 million.

In addition, $90 million in capital-improvement funds are being shifted to the operating budget, which helps reduce the deficit but delays much-needed repairs.

Planned fare increases that would have increased the cost of a single ride to as high as $3 would have raised $83.3 million. But Gov. Pat Quinn brokered a deal in which the Regional Transportation Authority will increase the amount of money it borrows by issuing bonds and the state will pay some of the costs of servicing that debt in exchange for the CTA promising to hold off on fare hikes for two years.

“The only party that has yet to step to the table to assist us, unfortunately, is the unions,” CTA Chairman Terry Peterson said.

He said the agency could start reinstating service, starting with the 41 bus routes slated to operate fewer hours each day, if the unions agreed to return their 3.5 percent salary increase. The pay hike will cost the CTA $20 million. The next priority would be to add back the nine express bus routes, Peterson said.

“The budget is skewed by labor costs,” Rodriguez said. “Our operating costs must be reduced.”

But Jefferson, the bus union chief, said his membership has made recent concessions in pension and health care coverage.

“I would love to help the CTA, but I see that help is a one-way street,” he said. “We are at a stalemate. Opening the contract is just out of the question.”

Free rides for senior citizens and other categories of riders account for a big source of lost revenue — more than $60 million a year, officials said. The CTA provided 68 million free rides in the first 11 months of 2009, said Karen Walker, CTA chief financial officer.

That’s an increase of 16.8 million free rides compared with the same period in 2008, she said.

Several members of the public signed up to address CTA board members Wednesday and ask them to rescind the service cuts and layoffs.

Phyllis Palmer, business manager of a homeowners association on the Far South Side, said the planned belt-tightening will reduce service by 30 percent south of 95th Street.

She said it would be a cruel blow, coming on top of service reductions dating to 1998 and conditions today where “riders continue to wait at oftentimes cold corners, where no bus shelters or minimum travel options exist.”

–Jon Hilkevitch

Photo: Michael Seaton, of Glenwood, left, and Herman Reyes, of Chicago, bang on buckets Wednesday at a rally against impending CTA service cuts and layoffs. (Tribune photo by Michael Tercha / January 19, 2010)

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

CTA service cuts loom; unions reject giving back pay raises | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The service reductions are necessary as a result of lower than anticipated revenues due to the sluggish economy.

“While we continue to have talks with the union on finding a solution that would enable CTA to minimize the number of service reductions needed, we want customers to have information as early as possible so that they can start to plan their travel based upon the new schedules,” said CTA President Richard L. Rodriguez.

“Being able to plan ahead will help customers navigate the system better and ensure they allow enough travel time to reach their destinations.”

Two weeks ago, the CTA began posting customer alerts on buses, trains and at other CTA facilities. The alerts outlined the routes that will be affected by the service reductions next month.

Last week, information was posted on digital displays and other electronic signage at rail stations. Also, affected bus routes began to play announcements outlining specific changes in the hours of operation and a reminder if the route will run with less frequent service or if the route is being eliminated.

Detailed information also was posted on CTA’s Web site at transitchicago.com. Customers can access information regarding changes to service, including route-by-route changes.

General information on the service reductions has been sent to local elected officials, Chambers of Commerce, municipalities and other city agencies for them to have on hand for residents who may contact them for information. Additional detailed information will be delivered to these groups in the coming weeks.

Starting the week of January 25, CTA information specialists will be strategically deployed to key locations at bus stops and rail stations to distribute information prior to the service reductions.

Brochures with service information will be available to customers at rail stations and on buses across the system – in addition to being posted on CTA’s Web site.

The brochure will be available in English, Spanish, Polish and Chinese. If customers do not have Internet access and are unable to find the correct version, they can contact CTA Customer Service and one will be mailed to them.

Signs at all CTA bus stops notifying customers of the changes to service are scheduled to be in place by the end of the month.

To better serve customers, CTA’s Customer Service center will add weekend hours on February 6 and 7 to answer incoming calls regarding service changes.

During the week the Customer Service center is staffed from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to assist riders. Customers can contact the Customer Service Center via e-mail at feedback@transitchicago.com or by calling 1-888-YOUR CTA (1-888-968-7282); TTY 1-888-CTATTY-1 (1-888-282-8891).

RTA’s Travel Information line will also have details on CTA service following the service reductions. Customers can call 836-7000 from any local area code to speak to an RTA representative.

The service reductions are designed to retain as much service as possible while reducing costs and maximizing efficiency. All rail routes and all bus routes will be maintained except for nine express routes that have a matching local route.

The CTA worked to minimize the impact to rush hour service and Night Owl service on both bus and rail remain unchanged, preserving service for those third-shift workers who have few options other than public transit.

Service will run less frequently on 119 routes and service spans will be adjusted for 41 bus routes. These routes will either start service later, end service earlier, or both.

CTA’s Bus Tracker is a good way for bus customers to manage their wait time.

Riders can access estimated arrival times for buses and can be accessed in three different ways:

• Online: Go to ctabustracker.com via a computer or Web-enabled mobile device to get estimated bus arrival times
• Subscription E-mail Alerts: Go to ctabustracker.com and sign up to receive customized e-mail alerts for specific day(s), time(s), route(s) or stop(s).
• Text Message: Send a text message to 41411 with “CTABUS” and your designated bus stop identification number; or simply send “CTABUS” and follow the instructions. Bus stop ID numbers all are available at ctabustracker.com

Information outlining Feb. 7 service changes for CTA bus and rail service available to customers | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Even so, totals were stronger than the agency expected considering the dramatic impact the recession has had throughout the year.

CTA ridership in 2009 still surpassed 2007 figures, when the agency recorded 439.5 rides.

“The fact that CTA has lost very little ground from a ridership standpoint under the most difficult financial circumstances this country has seen in decades is something I feel is encouraging,” said CTA President Richard L. Rodriguez.

“It would be unreasonable to expect that the growth in ridership CTA has experienced in recent years would sustain itself with so many people unemployed and businesses struggling.

The fact that it is only a 1 percent drop demonstrates the value of public transit as a convenient, cost-effective travel option.”

CTA projected 2009 ridership at 517.4 rides.

“We are committed to providing as much service as we can within our limited resources and ask that our riders stick with CTA while the economic recovery moves forward,” said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Terry Peterson.

“Although the upcoming service reductions will inconvenience everyone who relies on CTA, we will continue to work to manage riders’ expectations and restore whatever levels we can when our financial outlook improves.”

Rail ridership was 202.6 million for 2009, an increase of 2.2 percent or 4.4 million rides, compared to 2008.  The largest ridership increases were recorded outside of the morning and evening rush periods.

Bus ridership in 2009 wad 318.7 million, a 2.9 percent decrease from 2008, or 9.5 million fewer rides.

Over the past decade, CTA has seen overall ridership grow by 54.6 million rides—11.7 percent.

Rail ridership has lead the surge with a 21.7 percent increase (35 million rides) compared to 1999, and bus ridership increased by 6.6 percent (20 million rides) over the same period.

CTA announces ridership in 2009; Over 5 million rides less than 2008 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

A crowd of fewer than 100 people consisted mostly of CTA unionized employees. One protester of the service cuts was ejected from the agency’s boardroom after he disrupted the monthly CTA meeting by throwing papers into the air.

More than 1,000 CTA employees will be laid off on Feb. 7 if planned service cuts go through to help eliminate a projected $300 million budget deficit.

“You literally are restructuring the lives of thousands of people … I think the people of this city deserve better,” Darrell Jefferson, president of the bus drivers and bus mechanics union, Local 241 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, told CTA board members.

Jefferson and others urged the board to rescind the service cuts.

The service reductions will eliminate nine express bus routes and increase waiting times for passengers on more than 100 other bus routes as well as rail lines, officials said.

Buses and trains are expected to be much more crowded too.

CTA bus service will be reduced 18 percent, leading to shortened hours of operation on 41 bus routes, and rail service will be cut by 9 percent, resulting in longer waits between trains, officials said.

The unions have refused to go along with salary freezes and unpaid furlough days that non-union CTA employees are being forced to take as a way to reduce the $300 million budget deficit caused in large measure by a dropoff in sales tax revenue and real estate transfer taxes.

–Jon Hilkevitch

Read the original article from Tribune News Services.

CTA protesters–mostly employees–hit service cuts | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Service to the United Center prior to the start of the games will not be provided along the #19 route.  To get to the games, customers are encouraged to take the #20 Madison route, which provides direct service to the United Center from downtown.

At the end of each game, #19 buses will depart the United Center approximately every 15 minutes for one hour.

Following the games, customers can board #19 buses from the north side of the United Center eastbound on Madison near Gate 3.

From the United Center #19 buses will operate east on Washington to Wacker, then head south to Monroe and east to Michigan, making all stops from Jefferson to Michigan before turning north on Michigan and making the final stop at Randolph.

Tip-off for the Minnesota Timberwolves versus Bulls game is at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 9. The Anaheim Ducks and Blackhawks face-off on Sunday, Jan. 10 at  6 p.m.

Bus customers who use CTA fare media pay $2.00 to ride. For customers who pay cash on the bus, the fare is $2.25.

For details about all CTA service, call 836-7000 (all local area codes) or visit the CTA Web site at transitchicago.com.

# # #

CTA Provides Post-Game Service on #19 United Center Express for Bulls and Blackhawks Games this Weekend | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

“We recommend customers allow extra travel time as buses travel in the same traffic as other vehicles and can be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

Rail service also can be impacted by snow, ice and extremely cold temperatures,” said CTA President Richard L. Rodriguez.

“During inclement weather, more travelers opt for public transit making buses, platforms and trains more crowded.”

Trains are equipped with sleet scrapers and snowplow blades to remove ice and snow from the third rail.  In addition, CTA has four snow fighter locomotives to clear tracks of ice and snow.

Crews also inspect and activate overhead heating fixtures on platforms at all 125 outdoor rail stations so that customers can stay warm, and restock sand boxes so there are supplies at the ready to keep stairs, platforms and bus areas safe for customers and employees.

As snow continued to blanket the area this morning, the morning commute operated without significant impact from the weather.  All CTA buses and trains operated on their regular weekday schedules with only a few minor delays.

CTA staff will monitor the weather throughout the day and determine if deployment of additional staff or snow clearing equipment is needed for the evening commute.

The CTA’s Bus Tracker is a useful tool for planning the evening commute with the estimated arrival time of buses along a route.  All 150 CTA routes are available on the Web site at ctabustracker.com.

In addition, customers can log onto the CTA’s Web site at transitchicago.com, or call Customer Service at 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282), to find out if CTA service is impacted by the weather.

CTA Encourages Customers to Plan for Impact of Forecasted Snowfall on Travel | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

With the onset of the recession this year, government agencies, private businesses and individual households all faced budget challenges and the CTA was no exception.

Due to the significant consequences presented by the slowing economy, staff sharpened their pencils and looked for ways to streamline operations and reduce costs without impacting the quality or level of service provided.

Despite financial constraints, the CTA continued to innovate in 2009 and apply the best solutions to keep Chicago moving.

This year many bus customers began to see environmentally-friendly new buses operate on their routes.  Delivery of 150 hybrid articulated buses was completed by spring and, based on the performance and cost savings provided, the CTA ordered an additional 58 buses with $50 million in federal stimulus funds received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In addition to improving the reliability of service, hybrid electric engine systems help reduce emissions and improve gas mileage, which, in turn, helps reduce operational costs.

CTA estimates that hybrid buses will save the agency nearly $7 million annually in maintenance, parts and labor costs, including more than $900,000 annually in fuel costs.

Stimulus funds were put to good use for rail riders to improve travel as well.

Work began in the spring to replace seven miles of track, remove existing slow zones and prevent future slow zones on the Blue Line from Division on the O’Hare branch to Clinton on the Forest Park branch.  A total of $88 million in stimulus money was used to fund the work, the majority of which was completed this month.

This year CTA also completed its roll out of Bus Tracker to all of its bus routes and introduced a new customized e-mail feature that sends estimated times for the next buses arriving at a customer’s preferred bus stop(s) that can be sent to an e-mail address or mobile device.

The agency also introduced a feature that makes bus arrival information accessible to customers via text messaging.  Bus Tracker is a Web-based program that uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to provide customers with estimated bus arrival times and service information.

Several projects representing critical investments in CTA’s infrastructure also were completed throughout the year.  In March, renovation of the Howard station on the Red Line was completed.

The Howard station was originally built in 1908 and rebuilt in the 1920s.

The project brought the station into the 21st century by providing riders with a new ADA accessible stationhouse equipped with four elevators, two new escalators, gap fillers and tactile edging.

The final two Brown Line stations that closed for construction as part of the capacity expansion project reopened in 2009.  Both the Paulina and Wellington Brown Line stations reopened in the first half of the year and feature two new elevators that made both stations newly accessible to customers with disabilities.

Work at the final two of 18 stations in the project is nearly complete.

Both Belmont and Fullerton, which have remained open for service throughout the project, will be completed by the end of this year.

The $530 million investment in the Brown Line has improved transit for many customers who were unable to board a Brown Line train during rush hour because of overcrowding, or who could not use many of the stations along the line because they were not accessible.

Adding to an improved travel experience, efforts to reduce slow zones continued in 2009.  In the summer of 2007, the CTA began an aggressive plan to eliminate existing slow zones throughout the system.  At its peak, slow zones existed on 22.3 percent – or 263,526 feet of the rail system.

As of last week, slow zones occupy 5.9 percent or 70,176 feet of track.  The CTA rail system contains approximately 1,181,106 feet of track – the equivalent of 224 miles.

Significant progress was also made with projects that look to the future to expand service.  Locally preferred alternatives were determined for extensions of the Red, Orange and Yellow lines.

The next step will be to develop Environmental Impact Statements as the agency works to secure funding through the Federal Transit Administrations New Starts program.

Strategic Investments Allow CTA to Improve Fleet and Facilities for Riders | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Later service hours also will be in effect on several bus and rail routes making CTA a convenient, safe and affordable travel alternative for those out celebrating the New Year.

Please Note: All CTA bus and rail service will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Thursday, December 31 and on a Sunday/Holiday schedule Friday, January 1.

Bus Service

• #4 Cottage Grove buses will operate all night between Washington/State and 95th/Cottage Grove. Buses will operate approximately every 15 minutes north of 63rd and Cottage Grove and every 30 minutes south of 63rd.
• #6 Jackson Park Express buses will operate southbound from downtown every 15 minutes until 3:15 a.m. The last northbound trip to downtown will leave 79th/South Shore Drive at 2:15 a.m.
• #20 Madison buses will operate more frequently between Austin and Washington/State every 15 minutes during the overnight period.
• #22 Clark buses will operate more frequently between Polk/Clark and the Howard Red Line station approximately every 15 to 20 minutes during the overnight period.
• #29 State buses will operate in both directions all night between Navy Pier and Roosevelt/State in both directions. Service will be scheduled to operate every 15 minutes or less north of Roosevelt, and every 30 minutes or less south of Roosevelt to the 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line station.
• #65 Grand buses will operate westbound from Navy Pier to Grand and Nordica until 3 a.m. The last eastbound bus to Navy Pier will leave Grand and Nordica at 2 a.m.  Service will operate approximately every 15-30 minutes.
• #66 Chicago buses operate westbound from Navy Pier to Chicago and Austin Avenue until 3 a.m. The last eastbound bus from Austin Avenue to Navy Pier will leave around midnight. Regular Night Owl service will operate between State/Washington and Chicago/Pulaski.
• #124 Navy Pier buses will operate southbound from Navy Pier to the Millennium Park Randolph Street Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station until 1 a.m.  The last northbound trip to Navy Pier from Union Station will be at 12:30 a.m.
• #151 Sheridan buses will operate throughout the evening southbound between the Red Line Howard station and Union Station. Owl service will operate approximately every 15 minutes south of Foster and approximately every 30 minutes north of Foster.

Rail Service

The last trip on all Brown, Orange, Pink and Green line trains will leave downtown at 1:30 a.m. from the following downtown stations:

• Brown Line – Washington/Wells
• Green Line – Adams (northbound) and Clinton (southbound)
• Orange Line – Library-State/Van Buren
• Pink Line – Clark/Lake

Purple Line trains will operate from Howard to Linden until 2:00 a.m.

More frequent service will operate on the Red Line (approximately every 10 minutes from midnight until 6 a.m.) and Blue Line Forest Park and O’Hare branches (approximately every 15 minutes from 1:30 a.m. until 5 a.m.) which operate 24 hours daily.

Yellow Line trains will operate from Howard to Skokie until 2:00 a.m.

For details about all CTA service on New Year’s Eve call 836-7000 (all local area codes) or visit the CTA Web site at transitchicago.com.

Revelers Can Ring in the New Year with Penny Rides on the CTA | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The newly installed elevators at CTA’s Belmont and Fullerton stations will be available for customers’ use this week.

The elevator at Belmont will go into service today, Tuesday, Dec. 29, and the one at Fullerton will begin operation on Thursday, Dec. 31.

“CTA continues its efforts to make its system easier to navigate for everyone who uses buses and trains to travel throughout the CTA service area,” said CTA President Richard L. Rodriguez.

“Modernizing the system and making it accessible to customers with disabilities makes CTA a viable and convenient travel option for customers now and in the future.”

With the elevators at Belmont and Fullerton, a total of 91 out of the 144 CTA rail stations will be accessible to customers with disabilities.  All CTA buses and trains are accessible.

The elevators at Belmont and Fullerton were installed as part of the CTA’s larger $530 million Brown Line capacity expansion project, which is designed to increase capacity and accessibility and bring 18 stations along the line to a state of good repair.

Belmont and Fullerton are the last of 18 stations renovated through the project.

The two stations have remained open during construction and they are scheduled to be fully complete by the end of 2009.

Renovations at the Brown Line Belmont and Fullerton stations include brighter lighting, tactile edging, Braille signs and wheelchair accessible turnstiles, an upgraded public address system and expanded platforms.

CTA to Open New Elevators at Brown Line Belmont and Fullerton Stations | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

On Friday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day – CTA will operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule

CTA service to both major Chicago airports provides holiday travelers with reliable and economical transportation.

As a result of CTA’s aggressive efforts to eliminate slow zones along the O’Hare branch of the Blue Line, air travelers now can reach O’Hare Airport in approximately 40 – 45 minutes from the Clark/Lake station in the Loop.

Elevated rail customers can transfer to the Blue Line for no additional charge at the Clark/Lake station.  Red Line customers can connect to the Blue Line by using the pedestrian transfer tunnel at Jackson.

Also, customers can transfer to the Blue Line from all east-west bus routes between Grand and Foster, and from many north-south bus routes.

Orange Line trains provide direct service to Midway Airport. In the Loop, rail customers can transfer to Orange Line trains at the Clark/Lake station for no charge.

In addition, Red Line customers can transfer to the Orange Line at the Roosevelt station at no extra charge.

To avoid traffic congestion, customers can combine the convenience of driving with the economical savings of public transit by using CTA Park and Ride facilities.

Parking is available for approximately 6,000 cars at CTA’s 17 Park & Ride facilities, mainly at rail terminals, throughout the CTA system.

Park & Ride stations are listed on CTA’s system map and on the CTA’s Web site at transitchicago.com.

Customers may also obtain information on Park & Ride facilities by calling 836-7000 from any local area code.

CTA Service to O’Hare and Midway Airports Saves Travelers Time and Stress Over the Holiday Weekend | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

By sending a text message to 41411 with “CTABUS” and a bus stop identification number, customers will receive the estimated arrival times of the next two buses at their bus stop.

CTA Bus Tracker is a Web-based program that uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to provide customers with estimated bus arrival times and service information.

In addition to text messaging, CTA introduced a customized e-mail alert feature in May that allows customers to subscribe to e-mail updates for their routes.

“Importantly, this new feature makes service information readily available to even more bus customers who may prefer texting or who don’t have web-enabled cell phones,” said Rodriguez.

Bus Tracker allows customers to minimize their wait time, which is particularly welcome during winter, and makes it safer for those who travel alone or late at night. It also will be a very useful tool for customers in February when bus service will be reduced by 18 percent.”

A how-to guide at ctabustracker.com lists bus stop ID numbers and provides instructions on how to receive Bus Tracker information via text message. In addition, a Bus Tracker cheat sheet is available for customers to download and jot down their preferred locations to have on hand for quick reference when traveling.

The popularity of Bus Tracker has steadily grown since its introduction. A recent analysis of top searches on Google listed Bus Tracker as the second most searched item by Chicagoans.

Recent data shows that there are nearly 50,000 visits for the average weekday and more than 10,000 e-mails sent to the 5,200-plus customers registered to receive Bus Tracker e-mail alerts; whereas in June, there were approximately 32,000 visitors to the site on an average weekday.

Although bus stop ID numbers all are available via Internet or text, in January CTA will begin piloting a program where bus stop identification numbers and texting information will be posted on bus stop signs at 42 locations throughout the city.

The pilot will assist CTA in determining how useful it is for customers to have bus stop IDs and instructions posted on the bus stop signs, based on the number of requests received at pilot locations versus other locations without signage.

A list of all 42 locations that will have the CTA Bus Tracker text messaging information also is available online.

Customers are encouraged to provide feedback regarding the available features and content by contacting CTA Customer Service at feedback@transitchicago.com or at 1-888-YOUR-CTA (888-968-7282).

Hearing impaired customers can contact customer service by TDD/TTY at 1-888-CTA-TTY1 (888-282-8891).

All CTA bus routes now are available on ctabustracker.com. The CTA Bus Tracker Web site is accessible from computers and Web-enabled mobile devices for customers to view the arrival times of buses along a route. BlackBerry™ users must have version 4.1 or higher.

Personal digital assistants (PDAs) must have full Internet access capabilities through Web browsers that support HyperText Markup Language (HTML) such as Internet Explorer®. Customers who use PDAs are able to access the arrival time display only.

Cell phone users should contact their wireless service providers for information on their phone’s Internet capabilities.

CTA does not charge customers to receive bus arrival alerts via text message; however, standard text messaging rates may apply based on customers’ individual service plans.

CTA Bus Tracker Information Now Available On-Demand via New Text Messaging Feature | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

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