Special pricing at Park & Ride sites near O’Hare will make it easier, more convenient and more affordable for long-term travelers to park, ride and fly
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced today that it will offer a special, discounted parking rate at its Cumberland and Rosemont Blue Line Park & Ride locations for customers who park for more than 24 hours. The six-month pilot program is expected to attract more O’Hare Airport travelers to park long-term for just $10 at the two CTA stations, who can then take the Blue Line to and from the airport. Customers will need to book online, in advance, using a promo code that will be marketed to airport travelers.
The CTA expects the discounted rate to keep both parking facilities competitive with long-term pricing at other parking facilities near the airport. Cumberland Park & Ride is a four-level garage with 1,633 parking spaces, while the Rosemont Park & Ride is a surface lot with 750 parking spaces. Both are just a short train ride on the Blue Line to O’Hare Airport terminals, making them more enticing and convenient to customers, especially while O’Hare modernizes its Airport Transit System or ATS—also known as the “People Mover” trams—which will remain closed until later this year.
“The CTA is always looking for ways to improve the travel experience and to help our customers save time and money on their way to Chicago’s airports,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “This discounted Park & Ride rate for airport users, along with our frequent Blue Line service to O’Hare, means customers have an even more affordable and convenient link between road, rail and air travel.”
Since 2014, CPS Chicago Parking LLC has managed CTA’s fourteen Park & Ride facilities and all Under ‘L’ parking locations. CPS regularly surveys rates for nearby parking facilities that target airport users, including lots located at the airport, plus privately-run lots near the airport. Based upon survey results, CPS recommended the special discount rate for users who park vehicles for more than 24 hours.
The current, 24-hour-plus parking rate at both Rosemont and Cumberland is $13. CPS believes cutting that rate to $10 will lead to more Park & Ride customers and increased ridership on the Blue Line. During this six-month pilot period, the CTA President has the authority to further cut that parking rate to ensure Rosemont and Cumberland remain competitive with other parking facilities at or near O’Hare.
CPS will publicize the discounted rate on the Park & Ride page of the transitchicago.com website, along with the parking.com website and mobile app. It also will work with such booking sites as Park Mobile and Spot Hero to enable customers to reserve spaces under the special rates. In addition, a banner on the Cumberland garage will target highway drivers.
Customers who want to take advantage of the special $10 rate for parking longer than 24 hours will need to book online. They will reserve and pre-pay for their space, then receive a confirmation email/receipt with the special, promotional barcode. They will use that barcode, along with the ticket they pulled when entering the lot, to leave the parking facility without being charged either the normal parking rate or any additional fees.
Customers who use the Cumberland and Rosemont Park & Ride facilities as part of their daily commute - and who park for less than 24 hours - will continue to pay the current $13 rate.
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