MillerCoors To Sponsor CTA's Penny New Year's Eve Rides
By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 4, 2012 6:50PM
The Chicago Transit Authority has found a sponsor for the popular New Year's Eve Penny Rides program—MillerCoors. (We're sure there's a mixed message there somewhere.)
CTA President Forrest Claypool announced the sponsorship—the first for Penny Rides in its more than 25-year history— in a statement.
“This sponsorship ensures the continuation of the CTA Penny Rides program, offering our customers a convenient and safe way to celebrate the New Year.”
MillerCoors CEO Tom Long echoed Claypool and added his company is "committed to working with communities to provide safe transportation alternatives. Drunk driving is completely preventable and we encourage all to plan ahead for a safe and memorable New Year’s Eve.”
The three-year, $1.3 million sponsorship deal will kick off this week with a promotional campaign among rail lines in the Central Business District. MillerCoors also commissioned an artist to create a display of penny art, comprised of 8,000 pennies, which will be displayed at the Clark/Lake Station though New Year’s Eve. The penny rides will run from 10 p.m. Dec. 31 through 4 a.m. Jan. 1 on all CTA bus and rail lines.