by Brandon Glenn
Crain’s
May 22, 2007

 In a move to ease an impending budget crunch, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) said Tuesday that it would defer $7.5 million in spending.

The RTA said it would freeze hiring, suspend non-urgent travel and put $3.6 million in planning projects on hold, including efforts to implement a universal fare card, according to a statement from the agency. The long-discussed fare card could be used on Chicago Transit Authority trains and buses, suburban Metra trains and suburban Pace buses.

RTA executives are trying to show Springfield legislators that they’re tightening their belts as much as possible as they seek a $226-million bailout to close the gap in the agency’s $2.2-billion 2007 budget.

“We’re trying desperately to protect riders from devastating service cuts and fare hikes, which will come without action from Springfield,” RTA Executive Director Steve Schlickman said in the statement.