CTA moves forward with rail-car upgrade
They’re like the old cars, but without all the things people hate.
Bad news for people averse to eye contact with strangers: The Chicago Transit Authority announced yesterday it will issue up to $550 million in bonds towards its $674 million plan to replace 406 of its oldest rail cars with shiny new models from Bombardier Inc. As first announced in 2006 (and experimented with in 2009) the new cars will feature onboard security cameras, draw power from a more efficient alternating current system, and employ an aisle-facing seating plan to maximize passenger capacity. The Tribune also reports the new train seats will be stain- and bacteria-resistant, although this particular improvement will not extend to the stations that sorely need it.
