CTA Board moves to fund new car purchase
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefChicago Transit Authority’s Board of Directors Wednesday approved issuing up to $550 million in revenue bonds to complete its planned purchase of 406 cars from Bombardier Transportation, with an option to acquire an additional 300 cars if funds become available.
The new cars, ordered in part to replace the existing fleetthat in some cases dates back to 1969, will be equipped with security camerason board, officials said, as well as electronic maps and destination signs. Seatsalso will be both stain- and bacteria-resistant.
CTA has been testing 10 prototype train cars on the system since last year.Officials system since last year. Transit officials want to continue evaluatingthe equipment, spanning all four seasond, before finalizing the order. A decisionis expected by the fall.
