CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Transit Authority released Thursday a proposed 2021 budget that highlights the need for new federal funding to support public transportation across the United States.
Although CTA has no planned changes to service or fares in 2021, the agency depends on continued support at the federal level to achieve that goal.
For 2021, the CTA is facing an operating budget deficit of approximately $375 million. Further, state sales tax funding that supports transit is well below anticipated levels.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) projects that if Congress or the Administration do not provide additional emergency federal transit funding, six in 10 public transit agencies will have to consider service cuts or other cost-cutting measures. Negotiations reportedly are making progress, but no deal appears likely until at least after the Nov. 3 election.
“Over the last seven months, the CTA has provided an essential service to those who needed it the most: health care workers, emergency responders, grocery and manufacturing workers, and those needing to make essential trips,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “But in order to ensure we can continue to provide this critical service, we absolutely must receive additional funding from Congress.”
Under the proposed $1.64 billion operating budget, CTA service will likely continue as it is now. The city transit agency has maintained service levels this year and will be able to do so into early 2021, due to a federal funding package. But further federal funding is needed to help transit agencies make up for continuing, unprecedented financial losses and lower-than-normal ridership.
There's no saying what could happen if additional aid is not given.
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CTA also proposed a five-year $3.4 billion capital improvement program, which is "necessary to continue investing in modernization and capital improvement projects that will provide safer, more reliable service for customers, as well as an improved transit experience through the continued expansion of public art, removal of slow zones, upgrades to popular transit tools such as Ventra."
“Investment in transit infrastructure has always been an investment in a strong future for the city,” CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. said. “Further, continued investment in transit is directly tied to our city’s economic recovery, a way to promote jobs and opportunities at a time when the city needs them most.”
Included in the CIP are $327.8 million for continuing preliminary engineering and design on the proposed extension of the Red Line from the current 95th Street terminal south to the city limits; $60 million to rebuild the Cottage Grove Green Line station; $50 million for a Blue Line power upgrade; and $78 million for Phase 1 station improvements under the All Stations Accessibility Plan.
Other capital projects to continue or begin in 2021 include testing of the 10 new 7000-Series rail cars; quarter-life overhaul work on 5000-Series rail cars; roll-out of newest all-electric buses; and the start of station and track structure construction as part of RPM Phase One.
A virtual public hearing will be held on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. Because of the pandemic and the Governor’s Executive Order prohibiting large public gatherings, the public hearing will proceed only virtually. A link to view the hearing will be available at transitchicago.com/finance.
Members of the public who wish to speak at the virtual public hearing are encouraged to submit their request prior to the hearing.