The CTA announced today that upon board approval they will start the process of developing a new "smart card" to be released by the end of the year. The new card will not only allow users to ride the rails, but also to pay for their I-GO car rentals. The new partnership also includes plans to add 8 more I-GO facilities at CTA locations, boosting the total to 18. more ›

The US House subcommittee on highways and transit will conduct a hearing here on October 29 to determine what kinds of transit improvements Chicago would need before we could host the Olympics. Why yes, October 29 is a mere 6 days before our public transit system starts collapsing into itself like a dying star! "Mayor Richard Daley, Blagojevich, officials from the Regional Transportation Authority, the three transit agencies and the U.S. Olympic Committee will... more ›

Hear us now, believe us later, but if you don't want to end up with a crappy solution to a shitty problem, it might be a great time to contact your State Representatives and Senators and to tell them that you really, really do want to ride the CTA in the "ehh" manner you're used to, rather than the CTA-lite version that the CTA board just passed if they don't get more funds. Tony Coppoletta... more ›

Remember way back in January 2006 when the CTA raised their base rate from $1.75 to $2 a ride? Of course you do. Unless you're one of those people who never ride the CTA and use their car or bike to get everywhere, to which we say you're missing a vital, if dirty and malfunctioning, part of the city. Anyway. As you also might recall, there was a huge run on Chicago Cards at the eleventh hour, in order for people to avoid the extra 25¢ markup. A shortage soon occurred at stores and currency exchanges throughout Chicago. As a result, scores of people couldn't take advantage of the huge marketing ploy and ended up spending much more on their trips than was necessary. more ›

Despite a preponderance of stories lately, we swear we’re not trying to become Chicago’s next knitting blog. We swear. However, when we caught sight of these handy mittens on CTA Tattler today, we just had to mention them. Colleen Meagher, a Bostonian who runs the blog, Subway Knitter, developed some knitted mittens with a perfectly sized pocket to hold her Charlie Card (Boston’s equivalent of the Chicago Card/Chicago Card Plus). Ms. Meagher’s mittens are sadly... more ›

There are still 12 hours left in the day, just enough time for you to register to get your Chicago Card and then email the CTA with your thoughts on the proposed Circle Line. more ›

At every turn, the CTA is hawking their new staple of efficiency (excuse our sarcastic laughter) -- the Chicago Card and the Chicago Card Plus. Premise? You board buses and trains faster. You get a discount on fares -- you get the transfers that straight up cash riders don't get. You look sleek and cool by waving your card, hearing the snazzy 'beep beep' and gliding right on. more ›

The CTA isn't proposing any more service cuts to cover a $49 million budget shortfall this year, but they are still finding ways to piss off a large portion of its customers. more ›

If you've been meaning to get a Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus, get your ass in gear. The cards are only free through the end of the month (Sunday) and then the $5 fee will be back. You can get your card online, by calling 1-888-YOUR-CTA, or by going to the CTA office. You can also get them at Currency Exchanges, Jewel & Dominick's too. No more procrastinating! more ›