CTA Preparing To Purchase More Than 850 New Rail Cars
(CBS) -- The Chicago Transit Authority is preparing to purchase of more than 850 new rail cars. The head of the CTA is talking about the trains and the possibility of jobs, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
CTA President Dorval Carter says he's heard lots of complains by what he calls the bowling alley style seats in the last rail cars the agency bought.
This time he says officials talked to passengers first and the new trains will reflect their suggestions.
It has been reported that the mayor wants the rail cars built in Chicago. Carter will only say there's a part of the contract that suggests American-built cars.
"One of the features that's in the solicitation is something that's called the U.S. employment plan that allows a manufacturer to basically identify opportunities that they could present to this contract," Carter said. "There's nothing in the contract itself that specifically dictates where those jobs have to be generated."
The CTA board is expected to be presented with a proposed contract soon.
CTA President Dorval Carter is the guest on WBBM's At Issue program, which airs again at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.