Notice of Public Hearing

Chicago Transit Authority
Proposed 2013 Capital Program of Projects, 2013 Operating Budget and Program, Including Fare Changes and the Financial Plan for 2014 and 2015

Notice is hereby given that the Chicago Transit Authority Board desires public comment before it considers an ordinance to adopt the proposed 2013 Capital Program of Projects, 2013 Operating Budget and Program, including fare changes, and the Financial Plan for 2014 and 2015.  A public hearing will be conducted on Monday, December 17, 2012 at 6:00 P.M., at George Westinghouse College Prep located at 3223 W. Franklin Boulevard Chicago, Illinois 60624.  In addition to this official public hearing, the Chicago Transit Authority will hold a community meeting on Monday December 10, 2012 at 6:00 P.M. at CTA headquarters located at 567 W. Lake Street, second floor conference room, Chicago, Illinois, 60661 on the proposed budget and fare changes.  These facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. 

Be advised that, as to the Capital Program of Projects, the Chicago Transit Authority is seeking financial assistance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the United States Department of Transportation under the Federal Transit Act of 1964, as amended, and related statutes; the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) under the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (Part 8.5) and related statutes; and the Northeastern Illinois Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) under the Regional Transportation Authority Act.  If the following program does not change then it will be considered the FY 2013 Final Program of Projects.  This notice is to meet the requirements of the FTA, IDOT, and the RTA.

Chicago Transit Authority FTA Formula Program of Capital Projects

 Perform Mid-Life Bus Overhaul (2,730,000), Purchase Buses (38,636,870), Upgrade Computer Systems (1,100,000), Improve Facilities (Facility Rehabilitation) (5,000,000), Rehabilitate Rail Stations – Wilson (12,381,484), Rehabilitate Rail Stations – Systemwide (3,060,477), Infrastructure Safety & Renewal Program (10,000,000), Replace Buses - Artic Hybrid (Principal)           (5,005,156), Replace Buses - Artic Hybrid (Interest) (1,713,242), Replace Buses - Option 4 – (Principal) (6,037,818), Replace Buses - Option 4 – (Interest) (2,432,374), Improve Facilities - Office Building (Principal) (2,205,000), Improve Facilities - Office Building (Interest) (3,984,538), Program Management (6,690,000), Refinance Interest (14,522,653), Bond Repayment Principal, Interest, & Finance Costs (117,020,388)

Net 2013 FTA Formula Projects...$232,520,000   FTA Formula Total...$232,520,000

Phase I Supplemental Capital Projects

Replace Buses - Hoists & Pits (State of Good Repair) (20,500,000), Transit Asset Management System (State of Good Repair) (2,500,000), Rehabilitate Rail Stations - 95th Street Station - Terminal Expansion (10,000,000), Rehabilitate Rail Stations - 95th Street Station - Terminal Expansion (20,000,000), Replace Buses - Articulated Diesel-Electric Hybrid Buses (4,725,000), Western Avenue Corridor - Bus Rapid Transit (1,500,000), Implement Security & Communication Projects (3,000,000), Rehabilitate Rail Stations – Systemwide (281,500), Perform Bus Maintenance Activities (3,750,000), Perform Rail Car Maintenance Activities (3,750,000), Repair Track & Structure Defects (7,500,000), Purchase & Install an Advanced Paging System (3,400,000), Purchase & Install Digital & Non-Digital Display (920,000), Purchase Buses(49,929,389), Perform Mid-Life Bus Overhaul (51,154,122),  Perform Rail C-Light Overhaul (2,189,688), Improve Facilities (77,757,448), Purchase Equipment and Non-Revenue Vehicles (6,000,000), Power Distribution and Signals (87,312,686), Purchase Rail Cars (145,562,589), Rehabilitate Rail Stations - 95st Station (Red) - Terminal Planning Study (1,861,818), Station Renewal Program (15,013,998), Infrastructure Safety and Renewal Program (118,218,262)

FTA Section 5309 Discretionary Bus/Bus Facility State of Good Repair Funds, $23,000,000
FTA Section 5309 Discretionary Bus Livability Funds $10,000,000
FTA Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Funds $20,000,000
FTA Section 5308 Clean Fuels Funds $4,725,000
FTA Section 5309 (a) New Start Funds $1,500,000
Homeland Security Funds $3,000,000
State Funds $281,500
RTA Discretionary Service Board Funds $15,000,000
RTA Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement (ICE) Funds $4,320,000
CTA Bond $555,000,000

Total Phase I Supplemental Funding ………………...$636,826,500

The proposed 2013 Capital Program of Projects, 2013 Operating Budget and Program, that includes fare changes, and the Financial Plan for 2014 and 2015 will be available for public inspection, in standard size print and large print, on Monday, November 26, 2012 and will continue to be available between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. through Monday December 17, 2012, at the CTA reception desk, second floor, Chicago Transit Authority, 567 W. Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60661. These same financial documents will also be available during this period on CTA's website, www.transitchicago.com, in both pdf and plain text formats.  Individuals with disabilities who require other accommodations to review the budget should contact Cara B. Levinson, ADA Compliance Officer, at [email protected] or at 312-681-2608.

Copies of the proposed 2013 Capital Program of Projects, 2013 Operating Budget and Program, that includes fare changes, and the Financial Plan for 2014 and 2015 are also available for review in standard size print and large print at the main office of the Regional Transportation Authority, reception desk, Suite 1650, 175 West Jackson, Chicago, Illinois, 60604; at the Harold Washington Public Library, 400 South State Street, 5th floor, Chicago, Illinois, 60605; at the Sulzer Public Library, 4455 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60625; at the Woodson Regional Public Library, 9525 South Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60628; at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, Illinois, 60201; at the Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 South Troy, Evergreen Park, Illinois, 60805; at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60301; at the Riverdale Public Library, 208 West 144th Street, Riverdale, Illinois, 60827; and at the Skokie Public Library, 5215 West Oakton, Skokie, Illinois, 60077; Archer Heights Branch Library, 5055 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60632; Austin Branch Library, 5615 West Race Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60644; Jefferson Park Branch Library, 5363 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60630; West Town Branch Library, 1625 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622; South Shore Branch Library, 2505 East 73rd Street, Chicago, Illinois 60649.

At the public hearing and community meeting, the CTA will afford an opportunity for interested persons or agencies to be heard with respect to social, economic, environmental and other related aspects of the proposed 2013 Capital Program of Projects, 2013 Operating Budget and Program, including fare changes, and the Financial Plan for 2014 and 2015.

Written and oral comments will be taken into consideration prior to implementation of the proposed 2013 Capital Program of Projects, 2013 Operating Budget and Program, including fare changes, and the Financial Plan for 2014 and 2015.  This input will be welcomed at the public hearing and community meeting or by correspondence addressed to Gregory P. Longhini, Assistant Secretary of the Board, Chicago Transit Authority, 567 W. Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661.  Input can also be sent via e-mail to: [email protected]. Deadline to submit written comments is Monday December 17, 2012 by 5:00 P.M.

2013 proposed fare changes are scheduled to take place on Monday January 14, 2013 and are outlined below:

Proposed Fare Structure For All Routes

[1] Fares paid with Chicago Card Plus, Chicago Cards, and Transit Cards, unless otherwise noted.

[2] CTA/Pace 7-Day passes will change from $28 to $33.

[3] CTA offers reduced fares via an RTA Reduced Fare Permit to Seniors as required by 49 CFR Part 609 and free rides to eligible Seniors as required by 70 ILCS 3605/51(b).  Similarly, CTA offers reduced fares via an RTA Reduced Riding Permit to Persons with Disabilities as required by 49 CFR Part 609 and free rides to eligible Persons with Disabilities as required by 70 ILCS 3605/52.  In addition, CTA also offers reduced fares to children age 7-11.

[4] CTA is introducing a new Student Fare for elementary and high school students on school days, 5:30am to 8:30pm.  Students will be required to have a Student Riding Permit to be eligible for this fare.

[5] The fare remains unchanged for all riders presenting passes and reduced fares at O'Hare Blue Line Station.  For riders presenting all other fare media at the O'Hare Blue Line Station, the fare will be $5. 

[6] The #128 Soldier Field Express is a service jointly managed by CTA and Metra, scheduled to operate for all Chicago Bears home games at Soldier Field, and other agreed-upon events.  Service operates closed-door from West Loop Metra stations to Soldier Field.  Current discounted one-way fare will be replaced with a flat $5 round-trip fare for all regular riders and $2.50 for reduced fare riders.  Revised fares will begin with first pre-season game of the 2013 Bears Season.

Additional Information

Transit directions to 567 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL – CTA Headquarters, site of December 10 community meeting:
 

• Clinton (Green and Pink Lines) station is approximately ½ block east of the CTA Headquarters
• #56 Milwaukee stops at the CTA Headquarters northbound and approximately 1 block west in the southbound direction
• #20 Madison and #J14 Jeffery Jump are 2 blocks south of the CTA Headquarters

Transit directions to Westinghouse College Prep – 3223 W. Franklin Blvd., site of December 17 public hearing:
 

• Kedzie (Green Line) station is approximately 2 blocks south of the school
• #66 Chicago is 2 blocks north of the school
• #52 Kedzie/California is 1/2 block east of the school
• #82 Kimball/Homan is 1 1/2 blocks west of the school