Chicago Transit Board
April 23, 2007

Thank you Chairman Brown.

Good morning.
___

We now have three full weeks of three-track operation at the Belmont and 
Fullerton stations under our belt and I am pleased to report that ridership levels in 
the corridor have remained essentially stable, with some rail customers adjusting 
their commute times and many others switching to bus service.  In other words, 
they heeded CTA’s advice to ‘Leave Early. Leave Late. Alternate.’ 

I would say that the fact that our customers were well informed of the impact on 
service and responded accordingly is largely responsible for the smooth 
operation so far, as well as the dedicated effort of thousands of CTA employees 
to keep things moving, and the media’s help in getting the word out.  

Dick Winston will have more specific information in a separate report.
___

And now, as is customary, I have an update for the Board on ridership.

In March, 43 million rides were provided during the month, an increase of 0.9 
percent compared to March 2006. 

Systemwide, ridership in March increased by 0.6 percent on weekdays, 
Saturdays were flat compared to last year and Sundays increased by 4.8 
percent.  

The rail system provided 16.2 million rides in March, a slight decrease of 0.2 
percent compared to last year.  

The bus system provided 26.8 million rides in March, an increase of 2.4 percent 
compared to March 2006. 

We remain focused on providing service for our customers that is on time, clean, 
safe and friendly.

___

As most Chicagoans, those of us at CTA are thrilled with our City winning the US 
Bid for the 2016 Olympic Games.

Transit will be an important part of Chicago’s success in securing the games and 
I expect CTA will be part of the City’s continuing efforts to bring the 2016 Olympic 
Games here to Chicago.
_______

Last week, both Chairman Brown and I participated in meetings that addressed 
issues related to transit funding.   She covered those in her comments, but I 
would like to add something. 

The fact that CTA ridership has grown by more than 55 million customer trips per 
year since 1997 demonstrates the need for a healthy public transit system 
throughout the region and sufficient funding to meet the growing demand for 
service.

These are uncertain times for transit in the Chicago region – unfortunately this is 
nothing new.  What is new, and what gives me great hope, is with the new 
leadership of the RTA we are finding common ground in the region.

I am encouraged by the unanimous support for the principles of prioritization of 
funding for regional transit that emanate from the joint visioning initiative of the 
RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace, “Moving Beyond Congestion” to maintain, enhance 
and expand transit in the region.

The essential element of application of these principles is that they be applied 
from a regional, not just agency, perspective.  That can finally make for a justly 
funded regional system.

If the long standing approach to providing both operating and capital funding 
were to continue in the future as it has since Springfield last comprehensively 
addressed funding and governing structures,  then I believe  the result would be 
continued inconsistency with both the federal civil rights provisions of Title VI and  
the principles of environmental justice for the region.

I have faith that the new leadership of the RTA will continue to push for a truly 
regional transit system. 
____

In closing, I always thank the Board for supporting CTA’s mission of delivering 
quality, affordable transit services that link people, jobs and communities. 

Today, I thank each and every one of you for supporting and guiding me in your 
individual and invaluable ways.   I thank the dedicated employees of the CTA. 
And I thank our customers, a group that I look forward to joining very soon.

I thank you and this concludes what I trust is my last report.
President’s Board Report – April 2007

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