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New Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President Ron Huberman isn’t wasting any time addressing expenses. A little more than a week after he assumed the authority’s top position, Huberman has introduced a series of measures that will reduce costs by $12.5 million.

The authority will eliminate 49 positions, implement a hiring freeze, restrict “non-critical” overtime, improve the supply-chain process, and reduce miscellaneous administrative expenses, advertising and employee travel.

Huberman also announced plans to implement a performance management initiative designed to set standards for employees and hold managers accountable for their departments’ performance.

In addition, CTA is developing contingency plans if state lawmakers do not provide more funding for state transit agencies this year. Last fall, the agency adopted a budget that included a $110 million deficit in operating funds. Authority officials adopted the spending plan with the expectation that additional state funds would be available by second-half 2007.