CTA will be among the first public transit agencies in U.S. to host Amazon lockers
Today, the Chicago Transit Board approved an ordinance allowing the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to enter into an agreement with Amazon.com, Inc. (“Amazon”) for the installation of Amazon lockers at five test sites across Chicago. Beginning in late summer, CTA will be among the first public transit agencies in the U.S. to offer its customers the ability to pick up or drop off packages at the lockers as part of their train trip. CTA’s regional public transit partners, Metra and Pace, will also participate in the program.
“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 new pilot program, Amazon customers can choose the convenience of having their Amazon package delivered to a locker at one of five pilot CTA stations. Amazon lockers will be located at 95th/Dan Ryan (Red Line, paid area), Thorndale (Red Line, unpaid area), Cumberland (Blue Line, unpaid area), Cicero (Green Line, unpaid area) and Pulaski (Orange Line, unpaid area).
Under its agreement with CTA, Amazon will be 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. 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.
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