Derailed Chicago

This article describes the challenges faced by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). CTA has serious funding and infrastructure problems, in addition to a political stalemate which is hindering any chance of the agency returning to stable operations in the near future. CTA faces a $110 million deficit and has warned of imminent fare increases and service cutbacks unless they receive more state funding. The agency is also dealing with a blow from a National Transportation Safety Board report, which blamed CTA's ineffective oversight of track inspection, maintenance and safety programs for a 2006 subway train derailment. Many of CTA's problems are the result of chronic underfunding and the situation has worsened with a stalemate in the state legislature on the budget that has led CTA to depend on emergency funding measures for its operations. Despite these financial challenges, CTA is currently $150 million over budget for a new underground rail station that will eventually be a hub for high-speed rail links to the airports, but that currently is not able to offer rail connection to the airports. However, the hub is more politically desirable than improving routine maintenance, so it has received priority.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1762461
• Authors:
  • Johnson, Mark
• Publication Date: 2008-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Illustrations; Photos;
• Pagination: pp 34-39
• Serial:
  • Planning
  • Volume: 74
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: American Planning Association
  • ISSN: 0001-2610
  • Serial URL: http://www.planning.org

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Budgeting; Case studies; Government funding; Infrastructure; Maintenance practices; Politics; State government; Subway stations; Transit authorities; Transit safety
• Identifier Terms: Chicago Transit Authority
• Geographic Terms: Chicago (Illinois)
• Subject Areas: Finance; Law; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01084545
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 28 2008 8:08AM