CTA program provides jobs for ex-inmates

CHICAGO CTA President Ron Huberman, along with Mayor Daley, outlined the agency's ex-offender apprenticeship program Tuesday. One-hundred-fifty new CTA employees will work mostly in a maintenance capacity with the CTA's bus fleet. Those participating completed a nine-month training program before applying for full-time employment.

"I've been able to come into a situation, where I probably would not have been able to had I just solely filled out an application," said Lemond Johnson, CTA employee.

"To me, especially in this tough economic time, you have to work really hard in terms of trying to get jobs for people," said Mayor Daley.

The CTA also will roll out internet accessible GPS tracking on 15 additional bus routes starting July 21.