[Iabs-talk] Fw: Pace news - Financial troubles for Pace, Executive Director testifies before transit committee
Kelly Doty
kelly at dls.net
Thu Oct 11 23:23:39 CDT 2007
In the e-mail below, times and places for public hearings on the 2008 Pace Budget and proposed cuts are listed. Tomorrow the CTA is set to unveil the drastic plans they will put into place in 2008 if money is no found in Springfield.
Kelly
----- Original Message -----
From: Govt Affairs
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2007 3:14 PM
Subject: Pace news - Financial troubles for Pace, Executive Director testifies before transit committee
Moving into the Future
The Weekly Newsletter from America's Most Efficient
Suburban Transit Agency
Vol. IV, Number 156
www.pacebus.com
October 11, 2007
Pace is the suburban public transit agency for Chicagoland's six-county metropolitan region. As the 13th largest bus agency in the U.S., Pace operates fixed bus routes, vanpools and paratransit services in nearly 250 municipalities consisting of 5.2 million residents. Visit the Route Finder for bus route information.
Pace budget reveals agency's financial turmoil
Despite tremendous efforts to have Senate Bill 572 passed in the Legislature, Pace Suburban Bus Service has been forced to take drastic action in order to address funding issues with the agency. The 2008 operating budget exceeds available RTA funding by $32.9 million. In order for the budget to be balanced Pace will utilize a number of measures which include an
increase in fares, a decrease in service on routes, administrative cuts and the use of federal dollars. As a result Pace will eliminate over 200 jobs, sustain a 10 million passenger loss and cut weekend service in addition to taking other measures in order to continue operations.
Pace Budget Public Hearings are a time for staff to share financial information about the agency and the public to offer comments.
The impact of some of these procedures will be felt by passengers as early as November 4th. On that date local and feeder route fares increase to $1.50, CTA 7-day, U-Pass, Visitor and Fun Passes will no longer be accepted while Vanpool fares will see a ten percent increase.
On the issue of services that are offered by Pace any routes that are on the Performance Action List will be eliminated on November 4th in addition to Special Event buses and Metra feeder routes as well.
Regarding how northeast Illinois will be affected by these and other actions that Pace must undertake, Executive Director T. J Ross said that "this is bringing the stabilization of Pace services under the realities of existing funding available to Pace. Any future growth would be dependent on funding from municipalities, vanpooling and carpooling," Ross said.
For those who would like to hear more detail regarding Pace and the 2008 budget there are numerous budget hearings throughout the service area that the public may attend. The dates, locations and times are listed below. Pace Suburban Bus Service still believes that the Illinois Legislature has the power to keep these actions from happening. Please continue to
contact your legislator to inform them of the importance of Pace service in the region.
Kane County Public Hearing
Monday, October 22, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Kane County Government Center Auditorium, Ground Floor
719 S. Batavia Avenue, Geneva, IL
Will County Public Hearing
Monday, October 22, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Joliet Municipality Building Council Chambers
150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL
North Cook County Public Hearing
Tuesday, October 23, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Pace Headquarters Board Room
550 West Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL
Lake County Public Hearing
Tuesday, October 23, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Lake County Courthouse Assembly Room
18 County Street, Waukegan, IL
South Cook County Public Hearing
Wednesday, October 24, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Phoenix Village Hall Council Chambers
633 E. 151st Street, Phoenix, IL
DuPage County Public Hearing
Wednesday, October 24, 4:30 pm-6:30pm
College of DuPage West Campus OCC Building Room 128 C/D
425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL
McHenry County Public Hearing
Thursday, October 25, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Crystal Lake Municipal Complex Council Chambers
100 W. Municipal Complex, Crystal Lake, IL
Southwest Cook County Public Hearing
Thursday, October 25, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Oak Lawn Village Hall Council Chambers
100 West Municipal Complex, Oak Lawn, IL
West Cook County Public Hearing
Friday, October 26, 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
Forest Park Community Center
7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park, IL
City of Chicago (West) Budget Public Hearing
Monday, October 29, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Bethesda Church
4538 West Fullerton, Chicago, IL
City of Chicago (North) Budget Hearing
Tuesday, October 30, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
Northside Preparatory
501 North Kedzie, Chicago, IL
City of Chicago (Southwest) Budget Public Hearing
Wednesday, October 31, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
2800 South Western, Chicago, IL
City of Chicago (South) Budget Hearing
Thursday, November 1, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Olive-Harvey College Cafeteria
10001 South Woodlawn, Chicago, IL
Pace testifies before transit committee regarding funding crisis
Executive Director T. J Ross testified before the House Mass Transit Committee at a hearing on Tuesday, October 9th at the Harold Washington Community College in Chicago. Mr. Ross along with civic groups and leaders of the Regional Transportation Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority and Metra reiterated their support for Representative Julie Hamos' (D-Evanston) legislation, which would raise about $435 million a year in mass-transit operating revenue chiefly through a sales-tax increase of one-quarter of 1 percent in the six-county region.
The subject matter for the hearing was entitled the "Need for Long-Term Operations and Capital Funding for State Mass Transit Systems". The proposed $429 million in capital funding (statewide) is woefully inadequate, and Pace needs Senate Bill 572 to be passed (the operating funding bill) along with a 5-year, $10 billion capital program for RTA. This legislation championed by Hamos is mired in political infighting between legislative leaders and the governor.
Ross explained how SB 572 would assist Pace in it's mission of being the suburban transit provider. "Our first investment priority is to invest in order to maintain the region's $27 billion transit network. The total capital needed to maintain the system over the next 5 years is $7.3 billion," Ross explained. Not only is the agency wanting to maintain but to add enhancements as well. "Investing in order to improve the service we currently have will make it more reliable and responsive to user needs, and better prepared to serve existing and new transit markets. The total capital needed to enhance the system is $1.1 billion," Ross said to the committee. In that the region is undergoing constant change, Pace realized that expansion within the service area is paramount for the agency. "Planning for long term system expansion is needed in order to meet the region's growing needs. In order for us to effectively meet this challenge the total capital needed to expand the system is $1.6 billion. By dedicating funding to maintaining the system first and making prudent enhancements and expansions, the region will benefit," Ross said. The expenditures given are based on projected future growth in the demand for transit services.
Instituting SB 572 has a positive effect on Pace's ability to address capital needs. It will end the need for capital diversions, provide Metra bonding and provide collar county transportation capital funds. This is a long term, comprehensive regional solution to a regional problem in addition there will be extra costs in the long run if the reforms cannot take place.
Pace Suburban Bus continues to asks those who support transit to speak with their legislators regarding the need for SB 572 and the importance of a viable public transportation system in northeastern Illinois.
"Moving into the Future" is a weekly newsletter provided by Pace Suburban Bus to update interested parties on the services Pace provides and the progress it makes to constantly improve. Forward to others as you wish. For best results, please print in landscape format. Please submit feedback or remove yourself from the mailing list by calling 847-228-2421 or e-mail your request to govt.affairs at pacebus.com.
© 2006 Pace Suburban Bus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------- next part --------------
<!--a {text-underline: single FONT-SIZE: 10pt ;} A:hover { COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times Roman, Roman, serif; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single FONT-SIZE: 10pt } /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} h1 {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; font-size:48.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black; font-weight:bold;} h2 {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; font-size:24.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:red; font-weight:bold;} h3 {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; font-size:20.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black; font-weight:bold;} h4 {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; font-size:14.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:white; font-weight:bold;} h5 {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black; font-weight:bold;} h6 {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; font-weight:bold;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:blue; text-decoration:underline;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:blue; text-decoration:underline;} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} p.bodytext, li.bodytext, div.bodytext {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} p.small, li.small, div.small {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.EmailStyle20 {mso-style-type:personal-compose;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} -->
In the e-mail below, times and places for public hearings on the 2008 Pace Budget and proposed cuts are listed. Tomorrow the CTA is set to unveil the drastic plans they will put into place in 2008 if money is no found in Springfield.
Kelly
----- Original Message -----
From:
mailto:govt.affairs at Pacebus.com Govt Affairs
To:
mailto:undisclosed-recipients: undisclosed-recipients:
Sent:
Thursday, October 11, 2007 3:14 PM
Subject:
Pace news - Financial troubles for Pace, Executive Director testifies before transit committee
<![if !vml]> cid:00d701c80c87$aa1d14d0$104894ce at KELLY <![endif]>
Moving into the Future
The Weekly Newsletter from
America
’s Most Efficient
Suburban Transit Agency
Vol. IV, Number 156
http://www.pacebus.com www.pacebus.com
October 11, 2007
Pace is the suburban public transit agency for Chicagoland’s six-county metropolitan region. As the 13th largest bus agency in the
U.S.
, Pace operates fixed bus routes, vanpools and paratransit services in nearly 250 municipalities consisting of 5.2 million residents. Visit the http://www.pacebus.com/sub/schedules/default.asp?ptype=RF Route Finder
for bus route information.
Pace budget reveals agency's financial turmoil
Despite tremendous efforts to have Senate Bill 572 passed in the Legislature, http://www.pacebus.com/ Pace Suburban Bus Service
has been forced to take drastic action in order to address funding issues with the agency. The 2008 operating budget exceeds available http://www.rtachicago.com/ RTA
funding by $32.9 million. In order for the budget to be balanced Pace will utilize a number of measures which include an
increase in fares, a decrease in service on routes, administrative cuts and the use of federal dollars. As a result Pace will eliminate over 200 jobs, sustain a 10 million passenger loss and cut weekend service in addition to taking other measures in order to continue operations.
cid:00d801c80c87$aa1d14d0$104894ce at KELLY
Pace Budget Public Hearings are a time for staff to share financial information about the agency and the public to offer comments.
The impact of some of these procedures will be felt by passengers as early as November 4th. On that date local and feeder route fares increase to $1.50, http://www.yourcta.com/ CTA
7-day, U-Pass, Visitor and
Fun
Passes
will no longer be accepted while Vanpool fares will see a ten percent increase.
On the issue of services that are offered by Pace any routes that are on the Performance Action List will be eliminated on November 4th in addition to http://www.pacebus.com/sub/news_events/special_events.asp Special Event buses
and http://www.metrarail.com/ Metra
feeder routes as well.
Regarding how northeast Illinois will be affected by these and other actions that Pace must undertake, Executive Director T. J Ross said that "this is bringing the stabilization of Pace services under the realities of existing funding available to Pace. Any future growth would be dependent on funding from municipalities, http://www.pacebus.com/sub/vanpool/default.asp vanpooling
and carpooling," Ross said.
For those who would like to hear more detail regarding Pace and the 2008 budget there are numerous budget hearings throughout the service area that the public may attend. The dates, locations and times are listed below. Pace Suburban Bus Service still believes that the Illinois Legislature has the power to keep these actions from happening. Please continue to
http://www.pacebus.com/sub/vision2020/support_letter.asp contact your legislator
to inform them of the importance of Pace service in the region.
Kane
County
Public Hearing
Monday, October 22, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Kane
County
Government
Center
Auditorium, Ground Floor
719 S. Batavia Avenue
,
Geneva
,
IL
Will
County
Public
Hearing
Monday, October 22, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Joliet
Municipality
Building
Council Chambers
150 West Jefferson Street
,
Joliet
,
IL
North
Cook
County
Public Hearing
Tuesday, October 23, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Pace Headquarters Board Room
550 West Algonquin Road
,
Arlington Heights
,
IL
Lake
County
Public Hearing
Tuesday, October 23, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Lake
County
Courthouse
Assembly Room
18 County Street,
Waukegan
, IL
South
Cook
County
Public Hearing
Wednesday, October 24, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Phoenix Village Hall Council Chambers
633 E. 151st Street
,
Phoenix
,
IL
DuPage
County
Public
Hearing
Wednesday, October 24, 4:30 pm-6:30pm
College
of
DuPage West
Campus OCC Building Room 128 C/D
425 Fawell Blvd.
,
Glen Ellyn
,
IL
McHenry
County
Public Hearing
Thursday, October 25, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Crystal Lake
Municipal Complex Council Chambers
100 W. Municipal Complex,
Crystal Lake
,
IL
Southwest
Cook
County
Public Hearing
Thursday, October 25, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
Oak Lawn Village Hall Council Chambers
100 West Municipal Complex,
Oak Lawn
,
IL
West
Cook
County
Public Hearing
Friday, October 26, 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
Forest Park
Community Center
7640 Jackson Blvd.
,
Forest Park
,
IL
City of Chicago (West) Budget Public Hearing
Monday, October 29, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Bethesda Church
4538 West Fullerton, Chicago, IL
City of
Chicago
(North) Budget Hearing
Tuesday, October 30, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
Northside Preparatory
501 North Kedzie,
Chicago
,
IL
City of
Chicago
(Southwest) Budget Public Hearing
Wednesday, October 31, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm
2800 South Western,
Chicago
,
IL
City of Chicago (South) Budget Hearing
Thursday, November 1, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Olive-Harvey College Cafeteria
10001 South Woodlawn, Chicago, IL
Pace testifies before transit committee regarding funding crisis
Executive Director T. J Ross testified before the House Mass Transit Committee at a hearing on Tuesday, October 9th at the http://hwashington.ccc.edu/ Harold Washington Community College in Chicago
. Mr. Ross along with civic groups and leaders of the http://www.rtachicago.com/ Regional Transportation Authority
, the http://www.yourcta.com/ Chicago Transit Authority
and http://www.metrarail.com/ Metra
reiterated their support for http://juliehamos.org/general/noborder.aspx?pageid=8 Representative Julie Hamos
'
(D-Evanston)
legislation, which would raise about $435 million a year in mass-transit operating revenue chiefly through a sales-tax increase of one-quarter of 1 percent in the six-county region.
The subject matter for the hearing was entitled the “Need for Long-Term Operations and Capital Funding for State Mass Transit Systems". The proposed $429 million in capital funding (statewide) is woefully inadequate, and Pace needs Senate Bill 572 to be passed (the operating funding bill) along with a 5-year, $10 billion capital program for RTA.
This legislation championed by Hamos is mired in political infighting between legislative leaders and the governor.
Ross explained how SB 572 would assist Pace in it's mission of being the suburban transit provider. "Our first investment priority is to invest in order to maintain the region's $27 billion transit network. The total capital needed to maintain the system over the next 5 years is $7.3 billion," Ross explained. Not only is the agency wanting to maintain but to add enhancements as well. "Investing in order to improve the service we currently have will make it more reliable and responsive to user needs, and better prepared to serve existing and new transit markets. The total capital needed to enhance the system is $1.1 billion," Ross said to the committee. In that the region is undergoing constant change, Pace realized that expansion within the service area is paramount for the agency. "Planning for long term system expansion is needed in order to meet the region’s growing needs. In order for us to effectively meet this challenge the total capital needed to expand the system is $1.6 billion. By dedicating funding to maintaining the system first and making prudent enhancements and expansions, the region will benefit," Ross said. The expenditures given are based on projected future growth in the demand for transit services.
Instituting SB 572 has a positive effect on Pace's ability to address capital needs. It will end the need for capital diversions, provide Metra bonding and provide collar county transportation capital funds. This is a long term, comprehensive regional solution to a regional problem in addition there will be extra costs in the long run if the reforms cannot take place.
Pace Suburban Bus continues to asks those who support transit to http://www.pacebus.com/sub/vision2020/support_letter.asp speak with their legislators
regarding the need for SB 572 and the importance of a viable public transportation system in northeastern Illinois.
"Moving into the Future" is a weekly newsletter provided by Pace Suburban Bus to update interested parties on the services Pace provides and the progress it makes to constantly improve. Forward to others as you wish. For best results, please print in landscape format. Please submit feedback or remove yourself from the mailing list by calling 847-228-2421 or e-mail your request to mailto:govt.affairs at pacebus.com. govt.affairs at pacebus.com.
© 2006 Pace Suburban Bus
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/gif
Size: 2053 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/iabs-talk/attachments/20071011/6329e504/attachment.gif
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 21992 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/iabs-talk/attachments/20071011/6329e504/attachment.jpe
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Pace_newsletter_logo.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 2053 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/iabs-talk/attachments/20071011/6329e504/attachment-0001.gif
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: tj talks.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 21992 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/iabs-talk/attachments/20071011/6329e504/attachment.jpg
More information about the Iabs-talk
mailing list