New offerings part of agency’s strategy to improve customer experience, increase non-farebox revenue
The Chicago Transit Board today approved a plan to add 57 new automated teller machines to all eight CTA rail lines, increasing the number of ATMs for customers by 72 percent. In addition, the Board today approved five new leases that include a new produce shop, a new pastry shop and three newsstand locations at CTA rail stations, all of which will provide additional customer conveniences for CTA’s growing ridership and assist the agency in its ongoing efforts to increase non-farebox revenue.
“The CTA is committed to providing new amenities and conveniences for our customers,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “As the CTA continues to heavily invest in upgrading rail stations and track infrastructure, our stations have become more attractive to local businesses, spurring new development in the communities we serve as well as growing new revenue for the CTA.”
After a competitive bid process, the Chicago Transit Board approved a new contract with Peoria, Ill.-based Welch ATM, which will provide the 57 ATMs. Welch ATM provides ATM management for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, CityLink (Greater Peoria Mass Transit District), Walgreens, K-Mart, Six Flags theme parks, as well as many college campuses and financial institutions. The three-year license agreement is expected to generate $70,000 per year through August 2015.
The Board also approved new leases, including one small business that was identified through CTA’s minority outreach efforts: Lunderman Produce will open at the Ashland/63rd station on the Green Line and will represent the only produce business currently on the CTA system. Interurban Café and Pastry shop will the first business to be located at the recently renovated Grand Avenue Red Line station.
In addition, INS LLP, which leases spaces at other CTA properties, will open three additional newsstands at Cumberland and Jefferson Park stations on the Blue Line and at the Chicago Red Line station.
Each new concession lease has a 10-year term and combined will earn approximately $1.4 million in non-farebox revenue for the CTA throughout the life of contracts.
Earlier this year, the first Starbucks opened at the North/Clybourn Red Line station and Glazed and Infused, a gourmet doughnut shop, opened at the Armitage Brown Line stop.
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