Agency is among the first public transit organizations in U.S. to host Amazon lockers, offering another amenity to improve riders’ travel experience
Today, the Chicago Transit Board authorized a one-year extension of an agreement between the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Amazon.com, Inc. (“Amazon”) to install and operate Amazon lockers at select rail stations across Chicago as part of an ongoing pilot program. This pilot extension complements CTA’s ongoing efforts to welcome back customers and remind them that the CTA remains the most convenient, affordable and efficient means of traveling throughout the city.
“We are always looking for new ways to improve the CTA travel experience through practical, useful amenities, like Amazon package pick up for our customers,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “We believe a pilot effort like this—partnering the second largest transit agency in the country with the world’s largest retailer—is exactly the kind of unique addition that our riders will appreciate and we look forward to seeing how successful it is in the year to come.”
Under the pilot program, which began last June, CTA customers can choose the convenience of having their Amazon package(s) delivered to a locker at one of five CTA stations. Amazon already has lockers installed and operational at the 95th/Dan Ryan (Red Line, unpaid area), Pulaski (Orange Line, unpaid area), Cicero (Green Line, unpaid area) and Thorndale (Red Line, unpaid area) stations. Soon, an Amazon locker also will be installed for use at the Cumberland (Blue Line, unpaid area) station, with the possibility of other locations being added to the pilot program over the next year.
Under its agreement with CTA, Amazon is responsible for all costs related to the purchase, installation, maintenance and operation of the lockers. Amazon will also pay CTA a monthly flat fee to cover operating expenses, including the cost of electricity. Amazon will maintain insurance coverage for installing and operating the lockers on CTA property.
Amazon has a successful transit locker program with the French national railway that is expected to have locations at about 1,000 transit stations when complete. CTA’s regional public transit partners, Metra and Pace, are also participating in the pilot program. Other high-profile Chicago locations that currently host Amazon lockers include Block 37, Merchandise Mart, Chase Tower, UIC Student Center and 203 N. LaSalle, which is connected to the Clark/Lake station.