Richard Rodriguez, formerly the president of the Chicago Transit Authority, is leaving government for the private sector. Rodriguez, 40, has held his current title, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Environment, since May. He is joining Chicago-based strategic communications firm Res Publica Group. Res Publica announced Tuesday that Rodriguez is joining the firm.
The Chicago Transit Authority is hiring back some of its recently laid-off bus and train operators, President Richard Rodriguez told the agency’s board today, but it’s not an effort to restore February’s service cuts.
Instead, it’s a move to replace CTA workers who are retiring, and it’s required by law for a year after layoffs. New jobs aren't being created or restored —staffing will stay at the same post-service-cut levels.
A total of 29 full-time and five part-time bus and train operators have been hired back since the layoffs, Rodriguez said. Read more...
Chicago Transit Authority riders have been sticking with public transportation despite February’s deep service cuts, the agency’s president said today.
Despite service cuts started on Feb. 7, ridership fell just 1.3 percent in February when compared to the same month in 2009, CTA President Richard Rodriguez told the board today.
The February cuts reduced total bus service by 18 percent, and rail service by half that amount. In all, CTA officials said the system provided 39.5 million rides during February of this year. Read more...
A group of the CTA’s smaller unions has reached a deal to save 38 employees’ jobs from budget cuts, but it won’t have any impact on the service cuts that took effect Sunday.
CTA President Richard Rodriguez announced the deal with the Craft Union Coalition at a press conference Monday, but neglected to elaborate on the terms of the agreement because it had not been approved by the unions’ membership yet.
The jobs saved represent a group of smaller unions doing non-operational work for the CTA, such as carpentry and general maintenance. Their layoffs have been rescinded until the coalition’s member unions can vote to approve the concessions. Read more...
As the Chicago Transit Authority’s doomsday approaches and negotiations with its unions remain gridlocked, the agency has started notifying riders of impending service cuts.
“The days of preparing for the storm have passed — we are now in its midst,” CTA President Richard Rodriguez said at the agency’s monthly board meeting today. “We want customers to have information as early as possible so that they can plan their travels based on the new schedules.” Read more...
