The Chicago Transit Authority today unveiled a variety of new CTA-themed items available for purchase as part of CTAGifts.com.
The new site, found at www.CTAGifts.com, is available starting today. CTAGifts.com offers customers the opportunity to create custom-made, CTA-themed items such as t-shirts, baby bibs, coffee cups and magnets featuring their favorite train stop. Plans are in the works to add custom items featuring all 153 of CTA's bus routes as well.
New featured items include retro-style shoulder bags and t-shirts, books, posters, a puzzle, children's train car and more. Some customer favorites from CTA's former Gift Express Catalog include cufflinks crafted from old CTA tokens, system map umbrellas and shower curtains will still be available for purchase. Delivery time on custom-made items is seven to nine business days.
"Customers who have a favorite line or route, rail enthusiasts and visitors searching for unique souvenirs will be able to personalize items for one-of-a-kind keepsakes," said CTA President Ron Huberman. "For baseball fans who want another way to show support for their team, a baseball hat, mug or t-shirt with Sox-35th or Addison can also help demonstrate your allegiance."
CTAGifts.com replaces the agency's Gift Express program. With this new name, new look and new style comes a partnership with a company with expertise in transit merchandising.
The CTA has contracted with Image Exchange, Inc, to oversee the web store and its licensing program. Image Exchange also runs merchandise stores for the renowned New York Transit Museum and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Image Exchange is managing the merchandise program under license from the CTA and has developed the web store at no expense to the CTA. CTA will be paid royalties based on a percentage of sales at CTAGifts.com.
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