The CTA yesterday announced several new initiatives in an effort to improve customer communication.

One is a new email alerts system, where customers can subscribe to email notification of planned service alerts and other news releases. By early 2009, the CTA plans to also launch an Emergency Alerts service, which will send emails regarding unscheduled delays or disruptions.

Additionally, the CTA plans to launch a new emergency information hotline, which customers will be able to call to listen to a recorded message of current disruptions. By the end of the year, the CTA will also launch an improved Web site which will feature easier access to the most requested information.

Also announced yesterday was the addition of eight new Bus Tracker routes, which will go live on October 20th:

• 6 Jackson Park Express

• 11 Lincoln/Sedgwick

• 69 Cumberland/East River

• 79 79th

• 87 87th

• 145 Wilson/Michigan Express

• 151 Sheridan

• 157 Streeterville