Is CTA for sale?

Not quite. Last week the media created a bit of a firestorm around the idea that CTA might consider some form of expanded corporate sponsorships. Many of you have asked about this report and what conclusions were reached. Well, here's the report, and -- as you can see if you actually read it -- the corporate sponsorship idea wasn't even part of the report, it came up in passing as board members asked our consultants for examples of other agencies that have increased outside revenue.

The actual report to the board -- to which most media paid little or no attention -- was much more substantive and informative. Of course, these recommendations are harder to explain, difficult to implement, and apparently much harder for most reporters to describe in a soundbite.

The board felt it was important to move quickly on the most significant findings of our consultants. The five resolutions (see comments) we passed endorse these recommendations and begin the implementation process. These include

• Pursuing changes to our collective bargaining agreements
• Streamlining the service planning process to respond more quickly to customer changes with service change approvals and increased use of new technology-driven performance measures
• Enhancing personnel processes and systems across all functions of the agency to increase worker productivity
• Developing a stronger strategic approach to marketing, with increased focus on customers and a more organized effort to increase outside revenue
• Consolidating and outsourcing real estate functions
  

The board will monitor these specific efforts at each monthly board meeting, and of course we will continue to work with our consultants as they make final recommendations on functions throughout the agency. As far as corporate sponsorship goes, it's a subset of the issues we've asked consultants and staff to explore, but we're going to address it as part of a more systematic effort to tackle the highest priority, big-ticket cost savings and revenue opportunities that we have been able to identify to date. That said, my favorite ideas to date are the Selsun Blue line (less dandruff than any other line), and the Poetry.com "Rhymes with" Orange Line.

If you see something, say something

All transit systems and our customers were sobered by the London transit bombings last week. The CTA has systems and processes in place to deal with similar security threats. These plans involve both visible and less visible measures. When the federal Department of Homeland Security elevated the alert level to “orange,” CTA implemented heightened security measures. For example, you may have noticed that an increased presence of uniformed CTA personnel at our rail stations and on our trains and buses, along with CPD and other regional police forces. Their presence is a precautionary measure intended to add another layer of security. We also continue to stay in close contact with federal, state and local law enforcement officials, and we are working with them to get funding for additional security measures.

We count on our customers to remain vigilant and help us keep our system safe. If you see something, say something. If you observe an unattended package, witness anything unusual, or see someone acting suspiciously, tell the bus or train operator or rail station Customer Assistant immediately, or call 9-1-1 . Please also make sure you take your bags and personal items with you as you exit a bus or train. Click here for more security tips.

I also ask for your patience and understanding when security measures cause delays or disruptions to service.

As Mayor Daley and other elected officials have said, we are fortunate to live in a free and mobile society, but that means we cannot eliminate risk entirely. But the CTA will continue to do everything possible to reduce risk and make our system as safe as possible.