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CTA board approves four ordinances, places items on omnibus
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Summary
The Chicago Transit Authority board approved four ordinances and one contract on July 9, 2025, placing them on the omnibus for board approval. Items include first‑day‑of‑school free rides, a co‑promotional ad trade with the City’s Fleet & Facility Management, parking rate increases, and a 5‑year ATM license agreement.
The Chicago Transit Authority board unanimously approved a package of ordinances and a contract during its July 9, 2025, meeting, placing the items on the omnibus for board action.
John (presenter) described an ordinance authorizing free rides for school‑age children and an accompanying adult on the first day of school in 2025 (currently scheduled for Aug. 18) and again in 2026 (date to be set). The free‑ride window is 5:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; the program has run since 2011 and this year’s sponsor is Butcher Boy Cooking Oils, which will offset program costs and provide in‑system advertising. Directors asked for more granular ridership data (bus vs. rail), and staff said bus usage is heavier and that they will provide detailed geographic usage data on request.
Also approved was a co‑promotional trade with the City of Chicago Department of Fleet & Facility Management (2FM). Under the $392,952.50 value exchange, CTA will provide unsold interior car‑card ad space on buses and rail; 2FM will provide comparable ad value on 250 JCDecaux bus shelters. Staff said there is no net cost to CTA because the city will assume printing costs and CTA is exchanging unsold inventory.
The board approved an ordinance to raise parking fees at CTA park‑and‑ride and under‑L lots to align with market conditions and to offset taxes and costs introduced since 2017. Proposed changes include $1–$3 daily increases at park‑and‑ride lots, monthly increases of $20–$60, a $1 per hour increase for base hourly under‑L lots, and a new premium under‑L category with a $150 monthly rate and a $5–$15 starting hourly rate. Staff estimated the adjustment would generate about $1.2 million annually and take effect Sept. 1.
Finally, the board approved a five‑year license agreement (with a two‑year option) with Mobile Money Incorporated to install and operate ATMs at designated rail stations. Mobile Money will pay a $30 monthly fixed rent per ATM with 3% annual increases, a $0.48 per surcharge transaction fee to CTA, and a $20 monthly electric fee per ATM; CTA staff estimated approximately $98,000 in revenue over five years.
All four ordinances and the listed contract were moved to the omnibus and adopted by roll call (the transcript records unanimous 6–0 tallies for the listed votes). The board report and committee review were summarized by Director Lee prior to the omnibus vote.
What happens next: the ordinances were placed on the omnibus and the board recorded the votes at the July 9 meeting; staff said they will notify customers of rate changes and work with partners on sponsorship and implementation details.
