Niles Considers Bus Fare Increases, Service Cuts

A cornucopia of ideas ranging from combining routes to subsidies from local businesses to big cutbacks were the result of the first of two public hearings Thursday on the possible institution of fares on Niles free bus services.

Some 30 residents, predominantly seniors, joined Mayor Robert M. Callero, who personally opposes bus fare charges, in attending the early-afternoon meeting the Village Board chambers. Feedback from the hearing and another Thursday evening will be presented to the Village Board at its Sept. 25 regular meeting.

At issue are proposals to charge 25 cents per one-way trip regular fare and 10 cents a trip for seniors 65 and over on the three Niles bus routes, operated in conjunction with the PACE suburban bus system.

Also under consideration is dropping service and three county or state holidays on all routes, along with ending weekday service at 4:10 p.m. and temporary discontinuation of weekend service on the Route 413 Niles South End Special route.

Route 413 circulates along the Touhy Avenue retail corridor and the Leaning Tower YMCA. Route 412 is the Niles Shopper’s Special plying a circuit around Golf Mill and Meijer. Route 411 is Niles Local Service, winding its way through the village mainly via side streets and connecting with the two shopping-oriented routes.

The village has offered free bus service since 1973 in conjunction with PACE and its predecessor suburban bus companies. Some 300,000 rides are recorded annually. Only two other suburbs use PACE equipment for local bus routes: a free trolley around Woodfield  Mall in Schaumburg and a Highland Park service that charges fares.

The Village Board “very much so” will consider the feedback in considering whether to institute fares, said Callero. Trustees have considered the issue for about two years, he added, weighing the cost of the village subsidy of 36 percent of the service compared to the service provided. PACE funds the remainder of the service out of its sales tax-originated budget.

Assistant Village Manager Steve Vinezeano presided over the hearing, with PACE community relations representative Steve Andrews present to handle questions.

Many speakers advocated maintenance of present services not just for themselves, but for other disabled or senior residents who could not attend the hearing.

Advocates for the disabled

“I think it would be very hard for many people if cuts were made, “ said Lydia Janchitraponvej, a Niles resident since 1985, citing two blind friends who are riders.

Nancy Rottschafer said the No. 413 route is “quite used on Saturday,” and should be somehow added to the No. 411 route to maintain service to the large retailers in the village.

Meanwhile, Patricia Harris, a resident of the Leaning Tower YMCA, said her epileptic reactions prevent her from driving and thus she depends on the bus.

“I speak for other people who use walkers to get around,” said Harris. “They can only get around on the bus. It drops us door to door. A lot of disabled people can’t get around. People don’t think of these people.”

As a matter of efficiency, 55-year Niles resident Olga Blatt suggested instituting six-month and annual passes. “That’s a very good idea, the pass idea,” Vinezeano responded.

A devil’s advocate in the meeting was Charles Bettuzzi.

“You’re not going to like my comments,” he told Vinezeano. “Our times are hard. The state of Illinois dishes out $1.5 million for the bus. We have to all pull together (to accept cuts).

“I see a lot of empty buses. We can arrange rides in advance for seniors. The way it is now, it’s costing too much money.”

Evelyn Fowler might beg to disagree. She moved to Niles for the free bus access.

“The service is fabulous,” she said.