Pawar Gathering Support to Save No. 11 Bus

Lincoln Avenue bus riders have just days to change the minds of Chicago Transit Authority board members before the North Side route disappears.

And Ward 47 Ald. Ameya Pawar said he’s going to do whatever it takes to protest elimination of the route. The alderman is chartering buses downtown to a CTA budget hearing on Monday and wants residents and business owners to join him. 

The Chicago Transit Authority board is hosting a public hearing on the proposed $1.39 billion budget for 2013— a budget that doesn't include $1.2 million for the No. 11 bus from Fullerton to Western avenues. If board members don't change their mind, the bus route will be eliminated on Dec. 16. 

Senior citizens have called the Pawar's office in tears and have threatened to leave the neighborhood as a result of the cut, he said.

CTA officials argue that duplicate Brown Line stations already serve transit riders. But while some stops along the line dump riders right onto Lincoln Avenue, others are as far as 1 mile away from it. 

“That’s the whole thing, with seniors, students or young parents, they’re not going to go the extra four blocks,” Pawar said. “Public transportation is supposed to be available to everyone.”

The Brown Line doesn’t go to the Northcenter Trader Joe’s or Jewel Osco on Lincoln Avenue. And older residents can’t always get up the stairs or feel safe walking the extra distance, Pawar said.

The No. 11 bus stops four blocks from the location of Monday’s meeting at CTA headquarters, and that’s exactly the point. The alderman is chartering buses down for those that can’t walk the additional blocks.

The bus serves around 5,500 riders each week—2,500 of which would be directly effected by the cut. And ridership has only increased since 2010, with just three months in the last two years carrying fewer riders.

Pawar is working with the office of State Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) to see if grant money or additional resources are available to save the route.

“I’ve offered some of the 47^th Ward surplus TIF money so it goes back to the taxing bodies,” he said. “We’ve got to be creative… we can find a municipal marketer or sponsor the bus line.”

Attend the meeting Monday at 6 p.m. at CTA Headquarters, 567 W. Lake Street. 

From the alderman:

• Buses will be leaving from the North Center Senior Satellite Center at 4040 N. Oakley Avenue and the Golden Apple Restaurant at 2971 N. Lincoln Avenue.
• To reserve a spot on a bus leaving from the North Center Senior Satellite Center call Liza Martin at 773-520-8015.
• To reserve a spot on a bus leaving from Golden Apple, please call Nick Alex at 847-219-2153. 

Read more:

• Residents Will do 'What it Takes' to Save No. 11 Bus