December 18, 2009 --
The Regional Transit Authority board has approved its 2010 budget, which means some fare hikes for Metra riders and service cuts and layoffs for the Chicago Transit Authority. Metra fare hikes kick in starting in February.
Click here for more details on CTA bus route reductions
The budget eliminates nine CTA express routes. And on 41 bus routes, service will start later, end earlier, or have less frequent service during off-peak hours. Those service reductions are planned to go into effect February 7.
More than 1,000 CTA employees will be laid off. The CTA cut a deal with the state to avoid fare increases for two years.