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"Chicago Anarchists Want Transit Free-For-All"
December 16, 2004 - 10:03am -- jim
midwest unrest writes:
"Chicago Anarchists Want Transit Free-For-All"
Crane's Business Journal
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) on Tuesday said that an “anarchist group” opposed to pending CTA service cuts issued a phony news release saying fares would be free Wednesday for all riders.
The email message, sent to several Chicago media, promised a “day of free transit” and offered a false, yet sincere, apology from CTA president Frank Kruesi about possible future service cuts.“I personally apologize to our lower income, disabled, elderly and southside riders,” the news release attributes to Kruesi. “I apologize for not communicating more at our previous CTA public hearings.”
A CTA spokeswoman said the release was likely distributed by a group called Midwest Unrest, which is attempting to organize a fare strike among CTA riders in opposition to service cuts. Phone messages seeking comment from the group’s organizers were not returned.
On its Web site, Midwest Unrest implores CTA employees to stop collecting fares and instructs customers not to pay.
“Politely state that you are on fare strike when you board your buses and take your seat without paying,” the Web site urges riders.
Facing a $75 million budget gap, the CTA has been engaged in a yet unsuccessful campaign to get the Illinois General Assembly to approve additional transit subsidies. Without more funds, the CTA will be forced to end overnight L service, eliminate dozens of bus routes, and reduce the frequency of service on other lines, Mr. Kruesi and CTA Chairwoman Carole Brown have said repeatedly in recent weeks.
The CTA has been aware of the activist group’s attempt to organize a fare strike in opposition to service cuts. But she said the agency doesn’t expect the effort to have any impact on service on Wednesday.
“We have notified operators and the police to continue enforcing the rules,” the spokeswoman says. “We consider someone who doesn’t pay a fare to be
committing theft of service.”
The spokeswoman said the CTA has referred the phony news release to the FBI, which investigates identity and impersonation crimes.
The maximum fine for not paying a CTA fare is $2,500. It's considered a class misdemeanor."
midwest unrest writes:
"Chicago Anarchists Want Transit Free-For-All"
Crane's Business Journal
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) on Tuesday said that an “anarchist group” opposed to pending CTA service cuts issued a phony news release saying fares would be free Wednesday for all riders.
The email message, sent to several Chicago media, promised a “day of free transit” and offered a false, yet sincere, apology from CTA president Frank Kruesi about possible future service cuts.“I personally apologize to our lower income, disabled, elderly and southside riders,” the news release attributes to Kruesi. “I apologize for not communicating more at our previous CTA public hearings.”
A CTA spokeswoman said the release was likely distributed by a group called Midwest Unrest, which is attempting to organize a fare strike among CTA riders in opposition to service cuts. Phone messages seeking comment from the group’s organizers were not returned.
On its Web site, Midwest Unrest implores CTA employees to stop collecting fares and instructs customers not to pay.
“Politely state that you are on fare strike when you board your buses and take your seat without paying,” the Web site urges riders.
Facing a $75 million budget gap, the CTA has been engaged in a yet unsuccessful campaign to get the Illinois General Assembly to approve additional transit subsidies. Without more funds, the CTA will be forced to end overnight L service, eliminate dozens of bus routes, and reduce the frequency of service on other lines, Mr. Kruesi and CTA Chairwoman Carole Brown have said repeatedly in recent weeks.
The CTA has been aware of the activist group’s attempt to organize a fare strike in opposition to service cuts. But she said the agency doesn’t expect the effort to have any impact on service on Wednesday.
“We have notified operators and the police to continue enforcing the rules,” the spokeswoman says. “We consider someone who doesn’t pay a fare to be
committing theft of service.”
The spokeswoman said the CTA has referred the phony news release to the FBI, which investigates identity and impersonation crimes.
The maximum fine for not paying a CTA fare is $2,500. It's considered a class misdemeanor."