Vehicle will help students prepare for new careers
The Chicago Transit Board today approved an intergovernmental agreement with City Colleges of Chicago for the transfer of two CTA buses to be used at Olive Harvey College for new transportation-related courses offered by its “College to Careers” initiative.
Transportation Delivery and Logistics classes will be offered to students interested in entering the transportation field. As part of the curriculum students will be able to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (“CDL-B”), using the CTA buses during their instruction. A lack of a commercial vehicle is often a barrier for those who need one when trying to obtain a CDL with the Secretary of State. The program also eliminates an often costly barrier for those looking to enroll in private CDL courses.
“The CTA is pleased to partner with City Colleges of Chicago and support their new training program,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “CTA is continuing to hire part-time bus operators and a program such as this will offer hands-on training to students interested in employment at the CTA and elsewhere.”
The agreement allows for the transfer of ownership of two Nova buses to Olive Harvey College at the cost of $1 per bus. The buses are fully depreciated and will be sold “as is” and stripped of all CTA logos, markings and fareboxes. The CTA will not be held responsible for any maintenance of the buses after they are transferred.
Enrolled students will have the added value of hands-on learning and practice of driving a passenger bus throughout the length of the course. In addition students will use the buses for testing in order to obtain their commercial license. Students will have the vehicles available to them for testing.
As part of the new agreement with City Colleges of Chicago, CTA is committed to interviewing those who successfully complete the six-week course of the College to Careers Initiative.
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