CTA
The good news: Google has teamed up with the CTA to provide public transportation options. When trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B, instead of just getting directions you can click on Take Public Transit and Google will return bus and train options. In addition it shows you what your fare would be vs. how much it would cost to drive.
The bad news: CTA was supposed to wait for Metra and Pace but apparently got a little impatient, so the maps still won’t help you get back and forth from the suburbs.
Taxis
A few weeks ago I mentioned the new Taxi Fare Finder website, which calculates approximate cab fare. Now it’s getting a bit more complicated.
Yesterday the city passed an ordinance allowing taxis to charge an increased fare based on gas prices. If, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the average price for a gallon of gas is between $2.70 and $3.20 for seven consecutive business days, there will be a $0.50 bump in the price. If gas goes over $3.20, it’s a dollar more. Did I say a bit more complicated? How about a pain in the butt more complicated.
(I’m waiting to hear back from Taxi Fare Finder to see if they’ll be including the charge in their calculations and will update when I get word.)
Updated: Taxi FareFinder IS on top of this and will update fares accordingly.
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