Chicago Transit Projects for 2015

[marmar]

Dec. 29--From Red Line and Blue Line station renovations to an express bus system in the Loop, RedEye looks at Chicago transit projects the CTA and the city are expected to tackle next year.

--Ventra app: The CTA announced this year it will roll out a Ventra app that will allow Metra riders to use their phones to purchase tickets and CTA riders to use their phones to manage their Ventra accounts. The CTA said it will begin testing the app with a small group of riders in February with the hope of making the app available to the rest of riders in May.

--Central Loop bus rapid transit: The city is expected to begin construction early next year in the Loop on a $32 million express bus system called bus rapid transit. The city is slated to create bus-only lanes on two miles of Loop streets, which should improve speeds for six CTA bus routes that serve downtown.

--New stations: Cold weather pushed back the opening of the new $50 million Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line stop on the Near South Side to spring, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation, which is managing the project. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11796827/chicago-transit-projects-for-2015