New year rings in transportation changes
Alejandro de Jesus
Issue date: 1/12/09 Section: News
Media Credit: Huffington PostRed light cameras can be found throughout Chicago and have already generated over $110 million in five years.
CHICAGO. As students arrive back from winter break, drivers and riders of public transportation will be burdened with transportation fee increases and red light cameras that became effective Jan. 1.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) increased its prices on bus fares from $1.75 to $2, as well as rail fares from $2 to $2.25. Prices also increased on the CTA's one-day, three-day, seven-day and 30-day passes. Seven-day passes increased from its previous cost by $3. It will now cost riders $86 for a 30-day pass, which was previously $75. The Jan. 1 changes also included the elimination of two- and five-day passes.
Only the 30-day passes and the new $28 CTA/PACE seven-day passes will be valid on PACE; the University Pass, or U-Pass, will not be honored by PACE. The U-Pass will see a 15-percent increase in its price, bumping costs up to just under $110 a semester. This will go into effect fall 2009.
Students looking to avoid paying more for public transportation by driving may also have to be more cautious.
The city continues to install more red light cameras on busy intersections. On Jan. 6, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld a ruling by the city of Chicago that allows for an expansion of the city's red light camera program.
The ruling declares taxes to be "valid municipal endeavors" and applauds a fine that discourages illegal activity and simultaneously raises revenue.
Chicago's existing 136 red light cameras have generated $110 million in revenue since they were installed in 2003. More cameras at the mayor's disposal would help contribute to narrowing the city's budget deficit.
The CTA has also begun the new year by improving bus and rail service to make the new rides worth the fare increases.
The CTA is boasting its reduction of slow zones along the Blue line with its "45 minutes to the loop from O'Hare" announcements. Rail passengers can expect quicker service during rush periods.
Additionally, eastbound buses, including the #18, now operate by means of 18th Street, Halsted Street and Roosevelt Road, ending trips at Roosevelt/Michigan effective Dec. 28. The change in bus service means less wait time for South campus residents hoping to travel by means of Roosevelt to get to the Red/Orange/Green line station. Westbound buses will begin their trips at Indiana/16th and will operate via 16th Street, Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road.
According to the CTA, the #12 Roosevelt bus will still run with existing service times, but eastbound buses will end their trips at Roosevelt/Michigan, while westbound buses begin their trips on Roosevelt at the el line station. The #12 bus will no longer service Museum Campus. Students wishing to travel to the museum or Soldier Field will have to board the #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express.
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The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) increased its prices on bus fares from $1.75 to $2, as well as rail fares from $2 to $2.25. Prices also increased on the CTA's one-day, three-day, seven-day and 30-day passes. Seven-day passes increased from its previous cost by $3. It will now cost riders $86 for a 30-day pass, which was previously $75. The Jan. 1 changes also included the elimination of two- and five-day passes.
Only the 30-day passes and the new $28 CTA/PACE seven-day passes will be valid on PACE; the University Pass, or U-Pass, will not be honored by PACE. The U-Pass will see a 15-percent increase in its price, bumping costs up to just under $110 a semester. This will go into effect fall 2009.
Students looking to avoid paying more for public transportation by driving may also have to be more cautious.
The city continues to install more red light cameras on busy intersections. On Jan. 6, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld a ruling by the city of Chicago that allows for an expansion of the city's red light camera program.
The ruling declares taxes to be "valid municipal endeavors" and applauds a fine that discourages illegal activity and simultaneously raises revenue.
Chicago's existing 136 red light cameras have generated $110 million in revenue since they were installed in 2003. More cameras at the mayor's disposal would help contribute to narrowing the city's budget deficit.
The CTA has also begun the new year by improving bus and rail service to make the new rides worth the fare increases.
The CTA is boasting its reduction of slow zones along the Blue line with its "45 minutes to the loop from O'Hare" announcements. Rail passengers can expect quicker service during rush periods.
Additionally, eastbound buses, including the #18, now operate by means of 18th Street, Halsted Street and Roosevelt Road, ending trips at Roosevelt/Michigan effective Dec. 28. The change in bus service means less wait time for South campus residents hoping to travel by means of Roosevelt to get to the Red/Orange/Green line station. Westbound buses will begin their trips at Indiana/16th and will operate via 16th Street, Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road.
According to the CTA, the #12 Roosevelt bus will still run with existing service times, but eastbound buses will end their trips at Roosevelt/Michigan, while westbound buses begin their trips on Roosevelt at the el line station. The #12 bus will no longer service Museum Campus. Students wishing to travel to the museum or Soldier Field will have to board the #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Terri
posted 1/12/09 @ 6:07 AM CST
This sounds good. The Museum Campus #12 never did seem to make sense.
Did the #18 used to go through Chinatown? I don't understand the westbound route by the way it is described. (Continued…)
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