CTA transit ambassadors to greet returning riders

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launched a new transit ambassador program–the latest component in the agency’s efforts to help welcome back transit riders as they resume their previous day-to-day activities.  

Complementing these efforts, the CTA is also lifting all capacity limits on its buses and trains. 

Wearing specially-designed t-shirts, CTA’s transit ambassadors are deployed to various rail stations across the system through the remainder of the month. The ambassadors, who are CTA employee volunteers, will greet riders, answer questions and hand out information on the various measures the agency is taking to provide a safe, clean comfortable transit experience.  

“We’ve made a number of improvements over the last year-and-a-half, and deploying friendly, knowledgeable transit ambassadors throughout the system is just one of the many ways we are working to help riders feel at home as they resume traveling our buses and trains,” said Dorval R. Carter, Jr., CTA president. “The pandemic required many of our customers to work remotely, socially distance and stay at home for more than a year. Now that the city is opening up, we want to warmly welcome customers back and remind them that CTA is the convenient, affordable and safe choice to get around the city.” 

Additionally, with the city of Chicago and state of Illinois transitioning to Phase 5 of the reopening efforts and removing capacity restrictions, the CTA is eliminating passenger capacity limits on buses and trains. Now, all vehicles will be able to run at full capacity.  

The CTA had enacted limited capacity and social distancing policies during the pandemic. However, CTA says it was the only major transit agency in the country to run at full service, in order to provide safe travel for essential workers and other riders making essential trips. 

CTA’s Transit Ambassador Program and the elimination of capacity limits are just two measures the agency has implemented under its multi-faceted “When You’re Ready, We’re Ready!” campaign. Launched in May, the campaign aims to welcome riders back to public transit by promoting the affordability and convenience of the CTA, while also highlighting the multiple ways the agency is providing the safest, cleanest travel experience possible.  

Other initiatives launched as part of the campaign include the Refresh & Renew station improvement program, which will bring improvements to nearly 90 percent of CTA’s rail stations; as well as the “More Fun, Less Fare” summer fare promotion, which offers reduced prices on three of the agency’s most popular, unlimited-ride pass products. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the CTA has further enhanced an already robust cleaning regimen of its stations and vehicles, with new technologies and procedures. Each vehicle is cleaned before going into service and throughout the day, in addition to routine deep cleanings. 

In an effort to help reinforce the federal mask mandate for public transportation, the CTA has free masks available on every bus and at every rail station. The CTA has also distributed nearly 30,000 Travel Healthy Kits – each containing a reusable cloth mask, a 2 oz. bottle of hand sanitizer and a healthy travel tips guide – at various stations throughout the system.