CTA To Install Real-Time Arrival Information At Stops
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Real-time arrival information is coming to a CTA bus shelter near you.
WBBM's Bob Roberts reports the transit agency's board Wednesday approved a pair of contracts that are intended to equip virtually all of the more than 2,000 CTA bus shelters in the city with LED signs that provide up to four lines of arrival or delay information.
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The first batch of 160 will be spread citywide, but officials said that the majority of signs will be concentrated in the Loop and around Metra terminals.
Moments after being named CTA's new president, Forrest Claypool said he believes the signs represent a smart way to build on the success of its Bus Tracker program, which is available currently via computer or text message.
"Extending that to these sorts of on location notices to people, I think, the more information you can do, the happier the customers are going to be," he said. "A lot of it is knowing when the trains and buses are going to be there."
Each sign will display up to four lines of text. CTA officials said the signs will be installed in such a way that passing motorists also will be to read them, with the hope that some will see the signs and opt to leave their cars at home next time.
A five-year, $1 million contract to manufacture the signs was awarded to Luminator Holding, LP. Shelter owner JC Decaux will install, maintain and remove the signs for at least the next 19 months under a separate contract, valued at $687,300.
Officials predicted that the signs will more than pay for themselves in ridership gained.
In other action, the CTA's board approved changes to its lease agreements with the I-GO and Zipcar car-sharing services, extending the leases and expanding the number of parking spaces they can use.
Both car sharers lease parking spaces near CTA rail stations, CTA bus stops and Metra stations.
Claypool was hand-picked by Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel and will replace Richard Rodriguez, who was named by Mayor Daley and joined CTA as president in March 2009. Like Rodriguez, Claypool has no background in transit. His first day is Monday and his annual salary is set at $198,000.
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