5 <p>The long-threatened CTA service cuts took effect early this morning, despite <a href="http://www.chicagocurrent.com/articles/31091-CTA-service-cuts-definitely-on-for-Sunday-but-union-negotiations-restart">last-minute efforts to strike a deal with the agency's unions</a>.</p> <p>Though negotiations continue to restore service perhaps as soon as late next week, riding almost any CTA bus or train today will take considerably longer than it did yesterday.</p> <p>Nine express bus routes have been eliminated, 41 bus routes have had their beginning and/or end times cut, and 78 more buses will see less frequent service. All "L" lines except for the Yellow Line will see less frequent service.</p> <p>Additionally, the agency laid off 1,057 unionized employees.</p> <p>Leaders of the CTA's unions for bus and train operators, Amalgamated Transit Union locals 241 and 308, will ask their members next week to make concessions in order to restore their colleagues' jobs and reverse service cuts.</p> <p>See if your bus or rail line is cut by checking out the <a href="http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/service_changes/20100207.aspx">CTA's list here</a>. RedEye's "Going Public" columnist Tracy Swartz is <a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/redeye/2010/02/cta-service-cuts-start-today.html">live-blogging the cuts here</a>.</p> 2010-02-07T12:20:00-06:00 3 31092 1 33 1 CTAlaysoffmorethan1000eliminates9busroutes 1 5 171