CTA to Expand GPS Bus-Tracking

In order to have all bus routes out of a garage totally equipped with the necessary hardware, the CTA has concluded arrangement to expand the GPS bus-tracking system.

Although, they have not yet finalized the sequence this will take, they have mapped out plans which involves the gradual expansion of the GPS tracking system with one bus garage at a time which they are hopeful will start this spring and staff is currently determining which bus garage would go first, and the subsequent sequencing of bringing other garages online with the system.

According to a statement made available by CTA spokesman, Noelle Gaffney, where he categorically stated that "The sequence is tied to fleet management issues. We are replacing older buses (16-17 years old) with new buses and obviously don't want to go to the expense of installing the tracker technology on buses that are soon to be retired."

He continued by saying that "In order to implement at a garage, all the buses at that garage have to have the system." They have already installed GPS ob the buses and are planning to install additional communications equipment such as modem and router.

This expansion has been noted as a good development bearing in mind the fact that CTA has been testing the bus tracker system since August 2006 o the No. 20 Madison bus line.