Valparaiso sets fares, name for Chicago bus service

BY PHIL WIELAND, Times of Northwest Indiana
pwieland@nwitimes.com

VALPARAISO | ChicaGo Dash, the express commuter bus service to Chicago's Loop, is ready for launch on Oct. 6.

The city's Board of Public Works and Safety approved a contract Thursday with Free Enterprise Systems to provide the service at a one-way fare of $7.50. Initially, two buses are scheduled to depart the station at the Franklin House at Campbell Street and Lincolnway at 5:45 and 6:15 a.m.

The buses will be equipped with reclining seats, overhead lights and climate control, satellite TV, WiFi, electrical outlets for computer use, overhead storage racks and bathrooms. A bicycle rack will be mounted outside the bus and available on a first come, first served basis.

The board also authorized the clerk-treasurer to set up a credit card agreement with Moneris Solutions in conjunction with Harris Bank to facilitate the online purchase of tickets and to accept a start-up loan of $150,000 from the city's Redevelopment Commission for cash flow purposes until the city is reimbursed by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission.

Other actions included adopting the rules and regulations for bus passengers, hiring Kim Ranegar to provide marketing for the service and officially naming the new service ChicaGo Dash.

"We're all excited to see the first bus leave the station," Mayor Jon Costas said.