Busjack Posted October 9, 2008 Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Looking over the proposed 2009 budget, it indicates on page 32 that the 5 year bus replacement plan (line item 031.054) is $330 million, and $341 million is funded. Am I reading this correctly, and does that mean that the CTA has the money for about 800 regular buses or about 350 hybrids? If so, the RFP may not be so out of line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 Looking over the proposed 2009 budget, it indicates on page 32 that the 5 year bus replacement plan (line item 031.054) is $330 million, and $341 million is funded. Am I reading this correctly, and does that mean that the CTA has the money for about 800 regular buses or about 350 hybrids? If so, the RFP may not be so out of line. That would be enough to replace the nova' s and what will remain for #6000's. But that many artics would at least take 3 years to deliver. The biggest thing I got out of the budget was that the #4000's are officially expected in the fall term, barring delays. That they still expect to be done with deliveries summer of 2009. Also that there would be 150 of them, not the 163 that was alluded to at the Dick Durbin press conference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted October 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 ... Also that there would be 150 of them, not the 163 that was alluded to at the Dick Durbin press conference. The budget wasn't clear what allocations pay for what. Other than last year's "back to the basics" pamphlet, this is the first time that it only had line items but not specifics of the five year capital plan (i.e. no statement that we want to replace the 77th Garage, for instance, which appeared in some earlier ones, not like that is going to happen in the near future, anyway). As far as the hybrids, we made certain assumptions before the RFP for 900 came out, and those assumptions probably are no longer valid. The leased 150 are firm, but as you mention, nothing yet mentioned about the Durbin 13, or the ones from the BRT grant (which would appear to pay for 50, but it is unclear from the public hearing materials whether that money is yet firm, although obviously the letter of intent indicates that it is subject to certain conditions, like leasing the parking meters). For that matter, while the plan says there is $341 million in funding, it really doesn't say what funding that is (i.e part of it could be the "earmarks" for the 63 buses mentioned in the previous paragraph, but we don't know that). It also looks from that budget that to get to the total of that line item, you have to add the funded, the 5 year funding, and the outyear, to get to the $1.2 billion. I would have thought that the $341 covered the $330, but apparently not. That's why I was asking if I was reading it correctly. I guess the only thing I can say is that one probably can't figure out how many buses will be procured from the budget. Of course, I have been saying that about the Pace budget for about 6 years now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted October 13, 2008 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 I don't see anything on any threads regarding the pass prices, so I thought I'd share them with you... Pass Prices(Unlimited Rides in 2008) 1-Day: $5 2-Day: $9 3-Day: $12 5-Day: $18 7-Day: $20 30-Day Full: $75 30-Day Reduced: $35 Pass Prices(Unlimited Rides in 2009) 1-Day: $6 2-Day: Eliminated 3-Day: $15 5-Day: Eliminated 7-Day: $24 30-Day Full: $90 30-Day Reduced: $35 Once again, thank you Blago!!! I really love this Senior Citizens' quote: Mary Pond, 71, waiting for a train at the Merchandise Mart, called the senior program "ridiculous" and "insulting." "The reduced fare was nice enough," said Pond. "I would rather see them give it [free rides] to someone who earns very little and has three kids in high school." At least not all Seniors are heartless(like my Father is)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted October 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 Not at the level you previously predicted. What I don't understand is why the reduced fare isn't half fare, as it always was. It was left unchanged (and not just for passes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted October 13, 2008 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 Not at the level you previously predicted. I overestimated in my previous thread regarding the fare hikes, I'll admit... But when you have hundreds of thousands of Senior Citizens getting Free Rides, plus low income disabled, plus the Active Military, then throw in high cost of Diesel Fuel, Electricity and upkeep, you gotta figure something would've been spiked up dramatically. I figured the Unlimited Ride passes would've been hiked up more than they are proposing for 2009. Bottom line is Blago needs to rethink his 'Free Rides' programs. And I think Ms. Pond said it best in the quote from the Sun Times, those rides should be for those who are struggling to make ends meet with kids in School... Bottom line!!! Seniors get low income housing, discounts on auto repair, restaurant service, sporting events(some venues have Senior Citizen days). I understand they are on a fixed income, but look around Blago!!! Anyone who dosen't make 3 digit incomes is probably struggling in this market!!! I remember a CPS teacher telling me once she was struggling to make ends meet!!! A CPS teacher of all people!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman8119 Posted October 13, 2008 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 One thing that aggrevates me about this is how the senior freebies are being somewhat misidentified as a problem. Although I will agree there is some lost revenue in regards to letting people ride free, it shouldn't be misidentified as added cost to provide these rides !!! Unless there are so many additional buses and rapid transit cars are being sent out to cover the overloads (which there is not), it shouldn't be costing anyone more to provide service that is already there and being provided and accounted for (financially). If one wants to say that the 30 or so million dollars is lost due to the lack of the pulled state subsidy, then fine....but don't say it is costing more to provide a service that is already there and trying to pass it off as a blame on the senior program !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 another thing about the fare hikes. Now the Chicago Card is losing it's bonus when you put in $20. What is the incentive to use this card at all? So I can be in the "go Lane". I don't think pace is suggesting a fare hike. With inferior buses and equipment compared to CTA, you'd think they would need the money more. Where are their hybrids? 10 years in the future? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman8119 Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 I don't think Pace is suggesting a fare hike. With inferior buses and equipment compared to CTA, you'd think they would need the money more. Where are their hybrids? 10 years in the future? Actually, yes, Pace is considering a fare hike. It is slated to be a .25 hike. It was a blurb in yesterday's Sun-Times and will be discussed at this months board meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted October 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 another thing about the fare hikes. Now the Chicago Card is losing it's bonus when you put in $20. What is the incentive to use this card at all? So I can be in the "go Lane".The main incentive would be that you can recharge them online without being near an L station with a farecard machine, and of course, whatever fare card you use provides bus transfers, while a cash bus fare does not. Also, I don't believe that all fare card machines take credit cards at the moment. The "Go Lane" would seem to be somewhat of a benefit, at least at busy stops. While I don't think Nix, in the role of Blago's puppet, can stop a fare increase, oil prices dropping in the past few days may result in a lesser fare increase than was previously predicted. (However, gas prices haven't dropped as far as they should in Cook County, yet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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