Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The three-year agreement is the first-ever multi-year sponsorship of the Chicago Transit Authority’s First Day of School Free Rides program. Sun-Times Media is contributing more than $150,000 to the program, designed to promote first-day attendance for Chicago Public School elementary and high school students.

The project, one of the biggest CTA construction projects in its history, will completely rebuild the tracks and track bed on the 10-mile stretch of the Red Line known as the Dan Ryan Branch.

As part of the Chicago Transit Authority’s plans to move toward operating an upgraded bus fleet in the next two years, the agency plans to buy 425 buses and rebuild more than 1,000 older buses in a nearly half-billion-dollar modernization investment.

The Chicago Transit Authority’s overhaul of its system for managing parts and materials includes more stringent reviews of large or non-routine orders, steps to implement an electronic bar-coding system to better track items, and seeking qualified companies that can provide market expertise and industry best practices related to supply-chain functions.

Individuals participating in the apprentice program include sheltered women who've suffered domestic abuse, ex-offenders who've been convicted of non-violent crime, and individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, among others.

Also launching is the CTA Budget Ideas Board — an online feedback forum for the proposed 2012 budget — and the new CTA Updates, a subscription text/email service for customers to receive alerts on any unplanned events affecting service.

The initiative, performed by work crews comprised of different trade workers called the "Renew Crew," focuses on providing repairs in a more efficient way, creating a cleaner, brighter and more appealing station that improves the customer travel experience.

In addition to cutting 54 non-union positions, including 26 manager-level posts, the agency is reducing expenses which, when combined with personnel moves, will save $15 million annually.

Will double the number of security cameras across the rail system, while also working with police to enhance security for passengers. Chicago police will deploy teams, called Wolfpacks, as well as plainclothes officers to patrol the system.

In the reverse auction bid process, vendors submit all other requirements of the bid package except for the price. The price is finalized during the auction where vendors have allotted time to under bid each other in order to secure contracts.