04/22/99
CTA President Frank Kruesi, 25th Ward Alderman Daniel Solis and Executive Director of the United Neighborhood Organizations (UNO) Juan Rangel today unveiled a CTA Spanish-language transit map. It marks the first time the CTA has produced the full transit map in Spanish.
Ald. Jesse Granato (1st Ward), Ald. Ray Frias (12th Ward), Ald. Ray Suarez (31st Ward), and Ald. Vilma Colom (35th Ward) joined them outside the 18th Street 'L' Station on the 54/Cermak (Douglas) branch of the Blue Line.
"Over the past year we have been working closely with the Aldermen and community groups to improve awareness and usage of CTA service," said CTA President Frank Kruesi. ?We agreed that a Spanish language map would be a great way to reach out to potential customers."
Ongoing dialogue between community groups, local Alderman, and the Community Relations staff of the CTA prompted the production of the maps.
25th Ward Alderman Daniel Solis said, "Taking a pro-active step, the CTA is unveiling a map in Spanish to better inform the public which I believe will help increase ridership as well as help rebuild the CTA." He added, "Public transportation means access to jobs to many in our community."
The maps will be distributed to select CTA stations and bus terminals, 13 community organizations and seven ward offices throughout the city. Distribution of the 75,000 maps began this week and will be completed by early May.
CTA President Frank Kruesi said, "Our Community Relations Department allows us to increase the level of communication with our customers throughout the CTA service area. Continual input enables the CTA to fulfill its mission of delivering quality, affordable transit services that link people, jobs, and communities."
The maps join other CTA customer service documents currently printed in Spanish including Customer Alerts for buses and trains, the Riders Guide, the Night Owl Transit Guide, and brochures on the X49 Western Avenue Express Bus and X21 Cermak Avenue Express Bus.
Through Community Relations and other departments, the CTA continually assesses service needs and areas for improvement. For example, late last year the CTA created new express bus service on both Western and Cermak Avenues. These two new routes, the X49 Western and the X21 Cermak, provide a quicker connection on key routes for CTA customers during peak travel times.
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