The Chairperson of the Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) maintains a regular blog through which she verifies issues, corrects media misrepresentations, and responds to specific complaints. The blog has enabled the chair to monitor public perception and link directly with customers.
Why are they useful?
Blogs provide the general public with direct access to transportation agency officials. Posting of information enhances the public’s understanding of issues as well as allowing the opportunity for the public to respond.
Who participates, and how?
Blogs can be written by transportation agency officials or by other representatives. Once the blogs are written and posted, they are accessible to the public through the Web.
Who leads?
A blog can be set up quickly with minimal technological skills. Writing of the blog can be done with appropriate periodicity or as updates are necessary.
The CTA Chairperson’s blog was set up by the Chief of Staff in about one hour. Management of the e-mail responses to the blogs is handled by the Chief of Staff’s Office.
What are the challenges?
In the sea of blogs, it is often difficult to build readership or awareness of blogs. They should be linked in relevant project or transportation agency web materials.
