No CTA fare increases, service reductions in 2015 budget

CHICAGO (WLS) -- According to the $1.44 billion budget plan released overnight, CTA riders will not have to pay more to ride Chicago's public transit system over the next year.

For the fourth year in a row, it's a balanced budget that maintains or improves service on the CTA.

This is the second consecutive year the CTA has been able to freeze fare prices. The $2 bus fare, $2.25 rail fare and cost for passes will remain the same in 2015.

Service will not be reduced next year. In fact, the CTA said there will be additional service on some of the system's busiest rail lines, including the Blue and Orange Lines, starting in January.

Work on renovation projects will continue at the 95th Street terminal at the south end of the Red Line and the Wilson station at the north end of the Red Line.

The CTA also plans to buy new rail cars and buses. CTA riders were happy to hear the news early Monday morning.

"Very excited, very very excited. It's high enough already. In some places, the buses and stuff kind of stink," Willie Fields said.

"The bus routes and the train routes are more efficient now. I wouldn't say that they're doing a bad job," Jeff Perkins said.

Most of the budget is based on increased ridership for 2015. The number of riders for next year is expected to grow about 1 percent.