Metra is exploring the idea of selling naming rights for train lines and train stations, as part of its continuing quest to find new revenue sources during tough economic times.
“We’re looking at any opportunity to increase non-fare revenue,” said Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet.
Metra executive director Philip A. Pagano said the idea might have more application to stations than to lines.
“There may be a real interest by businesses located along our stations to get advertising,” said Pagano, following a board meeting Friday. Hospital names are one possibility, if a hospital is within walking distance of a station.
He said the stations would still include the traditional station name along with the brand name — the Naperville stop would keep its name, even if it became the Naperville Boeing Station. Pardonnet compared it to the honorary street names used along with official street names in Chicago.
Pardonnet did not know what Metra would charge for naming rights.
Metra already has a “Mars” station near the Mars, Inc. candy factory in the Galewood neighborhood. But that’s an old station name, dating back to before Metra took over the line, and Metra doesn’t get money from the candy company.
Other public transit agencies have also sold naming rights — for example, Tampa Electric Co. sponsors a streetcar line in the Florida city for $1 million over 10 years, according to Metra officials.
In other Metra news, Metra is also developing a mobile application, to allow riders with Blackberries or other hand-held devices to more easily access Metra information like train schedules.
The application, which will be available for free to anyone with a metrarail.com account, should be ready by early March.
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