Jan 11, 2006 9:05 pm US/Central
CTA Catching Up On Chicago Card Demand
Shortage Experienced When Rates Went Up
Bob Roberts / WBBM Newsradio 780
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The CTA says it is beginning to catch up with the demand for its smart cards, the Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus. But as WBBM Newsradio 780's Bob Roberts reports, transit officials insist that spot shortages over the past 10 days are not all their fault.
"The shift that we predicted has occurred, and it has occurred quickly," said CTA President Frank Kruesi.
Until now, about 20 percent of CTA riders paid fares with cash and another 20 percent used the old magnetic strip farecards. But using a Chicago Card allows riders to avoid the fare increase that took effect Jan. 1.
As a result, the cards have been flying out the door. Kruesi said about 26,000 were distributed last month, and 12, 000 cards were activated last week alone.
Kruesi said Wednesday that the CTA has plenty of cards on hand and even bulked up in advance on distribution personnel. He said the problem is at the other end of the pipeline, and said many of the vendors that distribute the cards needed convincing.
"I think we anticipated it," he said. "I think part of the challenge was in saying to vendors that this is going to be a really popular item. Some of the vendors believed it and got additional cards but others didn't, or didn't get enough."
Kruesi said now that they believe, the CTA is playing catch up.
Several members of the CTA's board said at their meeting Wednesday that they had received complaints from riders about the inability to get cards easily, including some who had gone to a series of fare card vendors only to find all of them sold out.
All fees for the cards, which normally cost $5, are waived through the end of March, but one need not get one in person. The cards also are available at the CTA's Web site,
http://www.transitchicago.com, or by phone, at 888-YOUR-CTA, but many riders have been frustrated in attempts to get through.
Delivery by mail takes five to seven business days.
Riders who use the Chicago Card and Chicago Card Plus can get $2 worth of free bonus fares any time they purchase $20 in fares. Bonuses are no longer offered with purchase or recharging of the older magnetic-strip fare cards.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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