CTA tests whether electric buses can handle city extremes
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CHICAGO (Associated Press) -
Chicago transit officials are buying two electric buses for testing to see if they can handle the city's extremes of heat and cold as well as heavy passenger loads.
The Chicago Transit Authority already has diesel-electric hybrids, but these buses will operate solely on electricity through a system built by Siemens. The agency says they must be able to travel up to 100 miles on a single charge.
Starting in late 2013, they will be tested on actual bus routes. The vehicles will have all the features of those in the current fleet, including surveillance cameras, air conditioning and wheelchair ramps.
The agency announced the plans on Wednesday. It's funding the $2.5 million purchase through a federal transportation program to encourage a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:58 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:58:00 GMT
CTA Ventra payment card holders who use the card's controversial debit features won't be charged for talking to public transit customer service operators or using the cards for cash ATM withdrawals.
CTA Ventra payment card holders who use the card's controversial debit features won't be charged for talking to public transit customer service operators or using the cards for cash ATM withdrawals.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:07:37 GMT
A 25-year-old man has been cited for driving the wrong way on the Chicago Skyway after a head-on crash with a pickup truck Thursday morning that sent four people to hospitals.
A 25-year-old man has been cited for driving the wrong way on the Chicago Skyway after a head-on crash with a pickup truck Thursday morning that sent four people to hospitals.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:10:07 GMT
Though at least five ambulances and Fire Department personnel were dispatched to Midway Airport when a 737 reported a cracked windshield, the plane landed safely Wednesday morning.
Though at least five ambulances and Fire Department personnel were dispatched to Midway Airport when a 737 reported a cracked windshield, the plane landed safely Wednesday morning.
Monday, May 20 2013 2:53 PM EDT2013-05-20 18:53:43 GMT
Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
Five people died and six others were taken to hospitals Monday after the van they were riding in left a southern Illinois freeway and overturned several times, Illinois State Police said.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:32:45 GMT
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
Friday, November 23 2012 8:49 AM EST2012-11-23 13:49:13 GMT
Two people were killed and over 80 hurt Thursday when at least 140 vehicles collided in Texas. The pileup that left trucks twisted on top of each other and authorities rushing to pull survivors from the wreckage.
Two people were killed and over 80 hurt Thursday when at least 140 vehicles collided in Texas. The pileup that left trucks twisted on top of each other and authorities rushing to pull survivors from the wreckage.
Monday, September 3 2012 1:12 PM EDT2012-09-03 17:12:11 GMT
The nation-wide average is $3.80 for a gallon of unleaded regular. That's $0.13 higher than 2011, and the highest gas prices have ever been on Labor Day.
The nation-wide average is $3.80 for a gallon of unleaded regular. That's $0.13 higher than 2011, and the highest gas prices have ever been on Labor Day.
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