CTA Replaces 450 Contracted Rail Guards With In-House Workers

The Chicago Transit Authority is currently working to replace contracted security guards with the authority's customer service workers.

In a move that will affect 450 jobs, the Chicago Transit Authority is opting to staff its security operation in-house. Currently, security guards at the CTA's subway stations are employed by private firms and licensed by the state. " ... Instead the CTA will use its own customer service representatives to watch for potential criminal activity," WGN News recently reported, from the North Side's Roscoe Village Brown Line stop at Addison Street and Lincoln Avenue. "CTA president Forrest Claypool says the change will allow the transit agency to give its riders better customer service." The change is spurred by a deal with a key labor union, reports the Sun-Times Media. The transition of replacing those 450 contracted security guards is under …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

'Complicated' Ventra System Could Frustrate CTA Riders, Board Member Says

Ventra, a new system of paying for transit, will be phased in during the summer after approval by the Chicago Transit Board Wednesday.

A new CTA payment system will combine transit cards with debit cards and widen access to Pace and suburban buses. It may also be a pain for some riders. The system—given the go-ahead by the Chicago Transit Board on Wednesday—launches in the summer and is expected to save the program $50 million during 10 years by reducing the costs of both maintenance and handling cash, officials said.  The open fare program replaces the magnetic stripe and Chicago Cards. Coined "Ventra," it is centered on cards that will be available at more than 2,000 locations.  Navigating the intricacies of Ventra is complicated, CTA board Vice Chairman Jackie Grimshaw said Wednesday, sharing Chicagoan's concerns that riders will be confused and frustrated. Some of …

• Photos (1)

CTA Fare Hikes Go Into Effect Today

The Chicago Transit Board passed the increases in December, which affect daily, weekly and monthly passes, reduced fare passes and trips from O'Hare Airport.

Students will pay less to ride the bus and “L,” but they’re the only ones getting a break. Nearly every CTA pass sees an increasing beginning on Monday. The monthly pass increases from $86 to $100 and one-day passes almost double, from $5.75 to $10. While reduced fares also see a hike, Chicago Public Schools students will get a 10-cent break on their bus and rail fare. Their cash rate also goes down to 75 cents. The regular fee to ride the bus or rail stays the same, at $2 and $2.25 respectively, but trips from O’Hare Airport will cost more. A $2.75 premium will be added on top of the regular $2.25 base fee, totaling $5 for a trip to the airport. However, that fee doesn’t apply to Chicago Card Plus users or the one, three, seven and 30-day…

• Photos (1)

Beer Company Sponsors Free CTA Rides on NYE

MillerCoors is paying the tab for Chicago residents to take the train or bus home instead of drinking and driving.

Chicago residents who’ve spent all their cash by 3 a.m. on New Year’s Eve don’t have to worry about pulling out their keys at the end of the night. The CTA is continuing its tradition of penny CTA rides on trains and buses—but this year, is waving the fee altogether. The free ride goes from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. MillerCoors brewing company took over the 25-year-old Penny Rides program that aimed at keeping drunks off the road, the Huffington Post reports. The sponsorship is a $1.3 million, 3-year commitment to safe roads, according to the CTA. The program is aimed to combat drunk driving, but also prevent pedestrian accidents. New Year’s Day in Chicago was found as the deadliest day of the year for walkers, the Chicago …

• Photos (1)

Scene on the CTA

Scene on the CTA: House Party

The Chicago Transit Authority brings us transportation, of course, but also merriment. We dare you to take one look at this week's "Scene on the CTA" photo and tell us any different. Then, add your caption in the comments. Have some fun—it's Friday.

We all know the CTA isn't only convenient for getting from neighborhood to neighborhood. It's a people watcher's paradise. Because we can't justify sparing you that gloriousness, we're going to showcase some of the best moments captured on public transit each week in our new feature "Scene on the CTA." We can't harness the epicness of these moments, but we can sure as hell try. If you spot something snazzy, feel free to grab your iPhone (as long as it hasn't been snagged by an "Apple picker") and casually snap a pic. That's right, just pretend you're taking a photo of your friend and send it in a cryptic e-mail to carrie@patch.com. It'll make my day. This week's Scene on the CTA photo was provided by the People of the CTA Facebook page. 

• Photos (1)