Commuters who use shared "I-GO" and "Zipcar" vehicles to get around the city will have 45 more parking spaces located along the El under a proposal approved yesterday by the Chicago Transit Authority.

The new spaces will allow customers to pick up or drop off shared cars at 20 different locations along the city's rails. The CTA plans to begin adding the spaces in September and complete them by June 2009.

The agreement aims to boost already record-high CTA ridership and generate additional revenue for the agency.

"With fuel costs soaring, more people are choosing to use public transportation and car-sharing programs," said CTA President Ron Huberman. "The CTA is pleased to partner with I-GO and Zipcar to provide customers with travel options that benefit not only their budgets, but the environment as well."

I-GO Car Sharing is a Chicago-based non-profit created in 2002 with funding from the city. It provides access to energy efficient cars at pick-up sites scattered throughout Chicago, Evanston and Oak Park. Members reserve cars online or by phone, use and return the cars for an hourly fee.

Zipcar, a Massachusetts-based, for-profit company, operates similar car-sharing programs throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Under a 2004 agreement with the CTA, I-GO has had six spaces located near various CTA stations free of charge.

According to a CTA press release, "car sharing services have been shown to increase transit ridership," when cars are placed near public transportation.

"It has been extremely convenient for our users," I-GO Chief Executive Sharon Feigon says. "We basically see ourselves as an extension of the transit system. We exist to reduce congestion and pollution while at the same time getting people where they need to go."

Feigon says I-GO has been seeking additional parking spaces from the CTA since shortly after the original program began.

According to a CTA press release, the agency will earn $88,000 from the lease agreements with the two car companies.

A spokesperson for Zipcar was unable to provide details but said that a contract had not yet been signed.

According to the CTA, the new I-GO and Zipcar parking spaces will be located under the El along the Blue, Brown, Green and Red Lines.

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