Chicago’s alternative to CTA
CHICAGO, IL—On November 12, 2009, the Chicago Transit Authority passed the 2010 budget. This plan maintains the fares at $2.25 instead of a whopping $3.00. Soon after the President, Terry Peterson, said “There will be no fare increase in the 2010 budget that we’re passing today”, the mass crowd standing before Peterson literally jumped up in joy and many began to hug each other. However, the crowd fell cricket-hearing silent when the actual plan was announced. Express bus services on nine routes and almost 1,100 jobs will be cut for the $1.27 billion budget.
Soon after most of the crowd stopped crying, a group of college students were laughing. The tallest guy, Jake, said “you know what, we’ve been waiting for this. The busses are going to take forever and when we get to them, they’ll be crowded. But that’s fine. We have a plan.” Then the shortest guy, Brian, said, “Yeah, we’re in the Health and Fitness club at school. We’ve teamed up with the ‘Metals and Things’ club and made a cheaper and faster alternative to the bus. They’ve created this bicycle that can hold up to about 11 people. If eleven people use it, not only will there be less work in getting the bicycle to move, but it would get everyone to lose weight!”
Jennifer, a student part of the test trial for this bicycle said, “It’s so amazing. I’m actually losing weight and I’m not doing a thing. I love it, and more and more people are joining us!” Jennifer lost about 1.1 lbs using the bicycle for 15minutes.
“And if people are worried about the cold, the next generation of bicycles will have seat warmers. So far we have about 367 people using this current generation. And as the word continues to spread, more and more people are joining us. It’s going to be great. Everyone now has a chance to stop spending so much money, being late for work on crowded busses everyday, and exercise. And in the spring, everything will be warmer! We’re starting a revolution.”, Jennifer says after laughing at the crying crowd.
“It’s part of our plan to get everyone to lose weight and save their money. We’re excited and for those who can’t ride bikes or are just plain tired, our club is also coming up with a service. One person will bike and everyone else can sit on the biker’s shoulders, and families or groups of people, can stack on each others shoulders!”, Jake added.
Although most Chicagoans are considering this, the more impatient are beginning to buy cars, and even walk the extra 20 miles.
Service changes go into effect February 2010 but the bicycles are now selling for $2.20 a person.
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