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At the public hearings, mass transit users are encouraged to
speak up about accessibility, safety and cost. State Sen.
Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort, said safety is at the top of the
list for many riders.
“Safety is a concern,” said Hastings. “You see a news story
about a subway station, someone getting beat up, someone getting
killed, someone getting pushed onto a track, what are we doing
to address safety, because accessibility directly relates to
safety.”
Chicago Transit Authority president Dorval Carter Jr. said
conditions have been improving.
“The truth of the matter is that crime is down on the CTA,” said
Carter. “I think it’s also important to remember is that we’re
carrying a million people a day. In that, you are going to find
issues that are unacceptable.”
Earlier this year, Keith Hill, president of Amalgamated Transit
Union 241, which represents Chicago Transit Authority bus
drivers, expressed support for bringing in Illinois National
Guard members to bolster security and carry out bag checks on
trains and buses.
Carter said the CTA continues to be vigilant about crime.
“There is an increased security presence that we have added to
the system to supply more eyes and ears to support it, and
obviously working with the Chicago Police Department themselves
about having greater visibility from the police on our system,”
said Carter.
Two other meetings will be held in August in northern Illinois.
A final hearing will be held later this year in Springfield.
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