3/14/07
The Chicago Transit Board today approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Chicago that would allow the Department of Aviation to install two Flight Information Display systems at CTA's Clark/Lake station downtown.
The displays will be installed at the Clark/Lake elevated station across from the escalators in the lobby within the Thompson Center and above the northbound platform at the Clark/Lake subway station. The elevated station serves the Orange, Green, Brown, Pink and Purple Express Lines. The subway station serves the Blue Line.
The display in the subway station will feature information pertaining only to flights departing from O'Hare Airport; while the display within the Thompson Center will provide only flight departure information for Midway Airport.
"We are pleased to partner with the City to provide this amenity to customers who use public transit to travel to and from Chicago's airports," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Carole Brown. ?By using CTA, customers help reduce the traffic congestion on the expressways heading to the airports and improve the environment for Chicago area residents."
?In 2006, CTA provided 38.6 million rides on the Blue Line's O'Hare branch and the Dearborn subway, and nearly 8.2 million rides on the Orange Line that serves Midway airport," said CTA President Frank Kruesi. ?Having flight departure information available within the station will provide a measure of comfort to customers who can see if their flight is on time even before they arrive at the airport."
The agreement is for one year and automatically renews unless either party terminates.
Under the agreement, the City is responsible for the purchase, installation and maintenance of the equipment necessary for the displays with CTA responsible only for the cost of the electricity needed to run the equipment.
Chicago is one of the few cities in the world with rapid transit service to two major airports.
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