Chicago Transit Authority Blasted For Derailment As Fare Hikes Loom

As the Chicago Transit Authority prepares to adopt harsh new measures to shore up flagging state financial support, a federal report was issued last week that highlighted failings in the mass transit system that serves thousands daily.

"A yearlong National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the July 11, 2006, derailment and fire that injured more than 150 passengers found that the probable cause was 'the CTA's ineffective management and oversight of its track inspection and maintenance program and its system safety program, which resulted in unsafe track conditions.'"

"'The track had clearly been deteriorating for a long time,' said Bob Chipkevich, director of the safety board's office of railroad, pipeline and hazardous materials investigations. 'It did not happen overnight.'"

"The CTA's track inspection and maintenance, Chipkevich said, were the worst he has seen at any U.S. transit agency."