9/30/04
New Parking Facility Will Link People, Jobs and Communities
South Side residents now have an additional option for traveling into the Loop each day with a new 117-car, 24-hour Park & Ride facility next to the CTA's Garfield 'L' station on the south branch of the Green Line. The lot will be open for business Friday, October 1 at 4 a.m.
"This facility will make it easier for many commuters to take the CTA by providing a seamless transfer point between road and rail," said CTA President Frank Kruesi. ?Commuters looking for a convenient alternative to driving will be pleased to find this brand new, convenient, safe and affordable gateway to public transit."
?We take pride in new projects that can contribute to the economic revitalization of the communities we serve," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Carole Brown. ?This new Park & Ride facility is an investment in the heart of the South Side that helps us fulfill our mission to link people, jobs and communities. Moreover, it will take 117 cars off of our region's congested roads."
Amenities at the new parking lot include lighting, canopies to protect customers from the elements, landscaping, fencing and a new electronic fare collection system. Standard Parking will manage the parking facility for the CTA. The cost to park at the lot is $1.50 per day.
"This facility provides a great opportunity for residents of the 20th Ward, the 3rd Ward and surrounding communities to ease the burden of traveling downtown. By parking here at 55th and Prairie they don?t have to worry about paying $30 to park in downtown garages," said 20th Ward Alderman Arenda Troutman.
The addition of this Park & Ride facility will bring the total number of parking lots in the CTA system to 17, and parking capacity to 6,055 spaces. The CTA operates another Park & Ride facility on the Green Line at the Ashland/63rd Street terminal.
Green Line trains serve the Garfield Boulevard station weekdays from 4:01 a.m. until 1:06 a.m., Saturdays from 6 a.m. until 1:05 a.m. and Sundays/Holidays from 7 a.m. until 1:05 a.m.
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