How about a universal fare card: one piece of plastic good on Metra and Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority? Or free WiFi for your morning commute on every public transit line in town? Gov. Pat Quinn Thursday promised just that in signing legislation that orders Chicago's often-feuding transit agencies to quit squabbling and actually develop a universal fare system and work to develop free WiFi service on transit vehicles. Under House Bill 3597, the Regional Transportation Authority, which funnels state and local subsidies to transit operators, is ordered to honcho development of a transfer policy by Jan 1, 2013. Then, by Jan. 1, 2015, it must develop and implement a system in which customers can use credit or debit cards, or contactless credit cards, to buy a ticket good for all fares and all transfers on all three transit systems. Beyond that, the law requires that the RTA conduct a study of the feasibility of providing free WiFi on every bus and train by Jan. 1, 2012. Metra actually is required to implement the system by then, provided it can do so at no cost to itself. Transit leaders have talked for decades about such changes but have become bogged down in disputes over how to reconcile different billing and fare systems. But the state provides much of the RTA's funding, and is in a position to issue orders to it. And, perhaps more important, the CTA is in the process now of seeking a private vendor to modernize its fare-collection system, with the vendor likely reimbursed by getting a cut of transaction income. One other customer-friendly change: The bill orders that by Jan. 1, 2012, each agency provide arrival data — for instance, is my train on time? — on the Internet for all vehicles. The CTA now offers a somewhat similar, partial system known as Bus Tracker. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Kwame Raoul and former state Rep. Will Burns, both Chicago Democrats. Mr. Burns since has taken over as 4th Ward alderman. Read more:
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/section/blogs?blogID=greg-hinz&plckController=... Stay on top of Chicago business with our free daily e-newsletters
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