CTA News Roundup

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Mar 17, 2006 2:05PM

Everyone's gonna be screwed when construction on the Dan Ryan starts next month. We all know that. But now the CTA is doing their part to help out ... or maybe just trying to figure out a way for them to make some money off it. In an effort to encourage those who would normally take the Dan Ryan to take trains and buses, CTA President Frank Kruesi recommended that the CTA waive the fee for its Chicago Card through May. So waive the fee initially, make a shitload in the end. Of course, it would give all of us the opportunity to get the card for free for a couple months.

The board votes on Kruesi's proposal on March 30, which is also the day that the board will select the winner of its contest to pick a new color for the Blue Line's 54th Cermak branch. Can't wait to hear what those elementary kids came up with.

A little more bad news for the Gay Games: There was a proposal to give a 10-day fare pass for $15 to people who registered for the Gay Games this summer, but, you know, that's no way to make any money. Especially when the game venues are scattered all over the city and right now a 7-day pass is $20. We're sure the CTA can squeeze more pennies out of the athletes by having them buy a more expensive week pass and then either paying by ride after that or by getting a couple day passes. The board tabled this proposal for now.