FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

From The Desk of Frank Kruesi: CTA President
312.222.6102 - fkruesi (at) transitchicago.com

Dear CTA riders and workers,

We at CTA management are faced with making tough decisions lately. These decisions may have adversely affected your ability to use public transportation in Chicagoland. We are still trying to negotiate with the state of Illinois for sufficient funding, however, we must also make immediate budget cuts to help tide us over until negotiations produce reasonable results. We regret eliminating one thousand CTA employees and moving forward with our alternative budget service cuts slated for January second, 2005.

We apologize for all upcoming compromises to CTA workers and riders in winter-time. I personally apologize to our lower income, disabled, elderly and southside riders. You are valued riders and Chicago citizens, yet you do not know the imense pressures we are under trying to accomidate are corporate and political supporters. After all, we at the CTA must prioritize according to profitability and efficiency like any other business. The current Circle Line Plan we are working on is a perfect business example. We project the city will gain several millions in revenue as the result of more efficient downtown and airport connections.

In the spirit of the holidays we will be offering One Day of Free Travel starting December 15th, starting at 5 AM to 7 PM. I also want to improve the dialogue between riders and the CTA by opening my phone up to you input on solutions and opinions on the current funding crisis. I apologize for not communicating more at our previous CTA public hearings. I hope this gesture will rectify any misunderstandings, improve services and generate alternative solutions we at the CTA can use to end further financial hardships.

I am deeply grateful for all you give our great city.

Frank Kruesi
Office Phone: (312) 222-6102
Fax: (312) 661-0112
Email: fkruesi (at) transitchicago.com