For those who wonder why I am so concerned about technology access to
automation equipment, consider the following story.  Might the number of
guards be reduced after most people learn how to use the automation
equipment?

kelly

                          CTA seeks overnight guards

    BY GILBERT JIMENEZ Transportation Reporter

   CTA officials will ask the agency's board today to approve a plan to
   replace overnight ticket agents with security guards who also will
   serve as customer assistants.

   Officials hope the plan will assuage riders' safety concerns over the
   upcoming elimination of ticket agents and closing of ticket booths.

   The agency wants to enter into a $4.2 million contract with Wells
   Fargo Guard Services for a supplemental security force to join the
   contract and staff security it now provides.

   By mid-August the booths would be closed and all ticket agents would
   become customer service agents to help riders learn to use automatic
   fare collection machines and stored-value transit cards.

   The new guards also would assist customers and would be deployed to
   122 rapid transit stations between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., when ticket
   agents are now on duty.

   ``Having security guards overnight at our stations will improve
   security and will make many people feel more comfortable if they are
   using our services at night,'' said CTA President David Mosena.

   In addition, the CTA has hired 150 students for a ``transit card
   team.'' Wearing bright blue hats and vests, they will fan out over the
   rail system to help passengers with the new fare and card vending
   devices.

   The electronic fare collection machines already are in operation.

   Jewel Food Stores, Dominick's Finer Foods stores and currency
   exchanges that now sell tokens will begin selling electronic fare
   cards on Monday, said CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney. They will be
   sold in values of $13.50 for 10 discounted rides, and $16.50 for 10
   discounted rides and 10 transfers.

   Renewable fare cards with pre-paid stored values of $3 to $100 will be
   available at vending machines at rail stations.

   Because of the electronic fare discounts, beginning Monday the CTA
   will stop selling full-fare tokens at a discount. However, tokens for
   riders who pay less than full fare will continue to be discounted at
   least through August.

   The transit card vending machines will be phased in in stations
   beginning June 23 on the Green, Orange and Loop L lines; July 7 on the
   Red Line; July 14 on the Brown, Yellow and Purple Lines, and July 21
   on the Blue Line.

   Transfer cards, which replaced paper transfers, are already in use on
   buses and in train stations.