CTA Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil, Raises Fares Instead

I'm shocked! I just can't understand why you would not accept an offer of discounted oil that is tied to giving subsidies to the poor on public transportation. Even if it is a political ploy on part of Hugo Chavez' to attract the support of poor people in the US, instead of worrying about him finding support here maybe it would be time to start worrying about why he would even be able to do this.

From Chicago Indymedia:

CTA Turns Down Discounted Venezuelan Oil, Raises Fares Instead
by Jessica Pupovac / The New Standard (CIMC Repost) 28 Dec 2005

The Chicago Transit Authority is refusing an opportunity to alleviate commuting costs for hundreds of thousands in the Windy City's low-income neighborhoods. Instead of accepting deeply discounted fuel from the Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum Corporation, the city is instead raising fares to solve budget shortfalls.

In an October meeting with representatives from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the city's Department of Energy and other city officials, Citgo unveiled a plan to provide the Chicago with low-cost diesel fuel. The company's stipulation, at the bidding of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, was that the CTA, in turn, pass those savings on to poor residents in the form of free or discounted fare cards.

But two months later, despite claims of a looming budget crisis, the CTA president "has no intent or plan to accept the offer," according to CTA spokesperson Ibis Antongiorgi. She gave no explanation. Read More