Double trouble for Chicago Transit Authority

December 12, 2006 (WLS) -- On a day when it was slow-going for the morning commute on two of the CTA's train lines, the board chairman accused the staff of being careless with contracts.

The big backups were caused by a snag in switching equipment on the Orange Line and a crack in the tracks underground on the Red Line. While the trains had trouble staying on schedule Tuesday morning, the CTA board was also put in a tight spot by the staff: Approve a contract they had only been briefed about Monday -- or risk losing life insurance coverage for all 11,000 CTA employees plus retirees. It is an example of what some see as a CTA management team that from time-to-time runs off course.

During the Tuesday morning commute, all Orange Line trains were forced to change tracks and travel around the Loop in the opposite direction they normally would. A few hours later and 30 feet below ground, a track maintenance worker discovered a crack in the Red Line tracks. Those trains were immediately rerouted above ground until the problem was fixed, but it added to the Loop train congestion.

"We're very cognizant of some of the issues we've been having and are trying to improve -- but, yes, I'm as frustrated as some of our riders," said Carole Brown, CTA chairman president.

The CTA has stepped up its inspections and maintenance following this summer's smoky Blue Line derailment below ground. But Carole Brown is also frustrated by other -- totally avoidable -- problems.

In July, the renovation of three CTA stations on the Brown Line was delayed because CTA construction teams never bothered to get the necessary permits from the city.

"I am disappointed," Brown told ABC7 in July. "What we have to do is set standards for our professionals and when they don't meet those standards get new professionals."

On Tuesday, Brown and other board members once again scolded CTA staff during a meeting.

"It's ridiculous," said Brown, referring to the managers' request to vote on a multi-million dollar life insurance package for the transit agency's 11,000 employees and retirees that they only informed the board about on Monday. CTA management insists it submitted details of the life insurance program to the Board office on December 1; but for an unknown reason, the plan was not passed on to CTA Board members until Monday. The current policy expires in 19 days.

"Are we backed into a corner -- into a box -- to say 'This is it or we're putting people at risk?'" said Nicholas Zagotta, CTA board member.

ABC7 asked CTA president why his staff is just now serving up a life insurance policy for approval that expires in two weeks.

"I'm going to have to find out specifics about what happened here," said Frank Kruesi.

The board voted to approve the life insurance policy, which they said they believe is a good deal.

Also on Tuesday's agenda, discussion of the CTA's Pink Line experiment, which will last for another 6 months. According to the board, ridership on the Pink Line is up 7-percent since the pilot program began.

Also, a transit watchdog group called for the CTA to bring conductors back on the trains in the downtown area. It's not expected to happen.

And, finally, a consultant hired by the CTA to help save money and generate revenue suggested selling naming rights to some CTA assets. For instance, one day there could be "The Sox Stop at 35th Street."

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