Well, here we go again. Mass transit officials say Metra and Pace commuters should brace themselves for the latest "doomsday" coming Sunday if the Legislature doesn't do something today to fund regional transportation. Let's see, they had time to do so in the spring and summer and September. What makes them sure they can get 'er done now?
Let's just build more roads in Lake County and let mass transit riders pay for their own way. What's that you say? No mass transit system anywhere on the globe operates without a subsidy; even Amtrak gets federal funding. OK, but why does The Hound have to pay a higher sales tax if the Legislature approves it today and Gov. Rod Blagojevich signs the measure, which he probably won't because that's just the way he is these days. You'd think with all of a sudden lots of folks clamoring for a recall provision to get him out of office, he'd be more amenable to such funding for the Regional Transportation Authority. But he probably won't. Can you say: Gray Davis?
While Democrats in the Legislature want to fund mass transit, Republicans want a balancing capital
construction plan for schools, roads and bridges throughout the state. That means approving an expansion in casino gambling, which may mean Lake County might get to roll in roulette revenue.
Meantime, transit agency folks have said they may have to start "massive" cuts and raise fares if funding doesn't materialize. The Hound has ridden Pace buses and Metra trains and finds them good transportation values. They'll still be good values if fares go up.
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