Autos
*Motor Trend has chosen the Ford F-150 as 2009 Truck of the Year. “Despite the downturn in the economy, the pickup truck remains the automotive backbone of America, providing a tough, durable workhorse for business and recreational users alike,” says Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief. The other contenders were the Dodge Ram 1500, Suzuki Equator and Hummer H3T.
*Chinese automaker BYD has rolled out the F3DM, China’s first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle. The car is expected to retail for around $20,000 in China and make its way to the U.S. in 2011.
Transit
*CTA fares are set to rise about 15 percent Thursday. Cash, transit card and Chicago Card fares will still increase 25 to 50 cents. Reduced fares — for people with disabilities and students — are not affected. A one-day pass would increase from $5 to $5.75; a three-day pass would increase from $12 to $14; a seven-day pass would go from $20 to $23; and a 30-Day pass would increase from $75 to $86. Two- and five-day passes will be eliminated. Visit www.transitchicago.com.
Air
*Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines plans to start daily flights between Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Chicago, beginning March 1. The flights, on Airbus A319s, are set to leave O’Hare at 2:15 p.m. daily and arrive at 12:20 p.m. Visit www.spiritair.com.
Boating
* BlackLine GPS is rolling out a Harpoon GPS-based watercraft recovery and tracking device. The nautical equivalent to a LoJack, Harpoon uses continuous cellular communications for security monitoring. It will be priced at $349 when it goes on sale in the first quarter of next year. Fees for the GPS tracking are $19.99 a month.
FYI
*The Illinois Tollway, along with Wilton Partners and ExxonMobil, will provide holiday travelers a small cup of coffee free from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. New Year’s Eve at these oases: The Des Plaines and Belvidere on the Jane Addams Memorial (I-90); Chicago Southland Lincoln, Hinsdale, O’Hare and Lake Forest on the Tri-State (I-94); and DeKalb on the Reagan Memorial (I-88).
* Construction on the North Tri-State Tollway (I-94) between Grand Avenue and the Wisconsin State line, is complete. The work includes four lanes in each direction from Grand to Ill. 173, reconstructed roadway from Ill. 173 to Russell Road, and resurfaced pavement from Russell Road to Wisconsin.
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Quick Trips are compiled from Tribune news services.
