Chicago: Phone Battery Rental Kiosks Arrive at Union Station

Aug. 05--Acknowledging the traveling public's almost obsessive need to keep phones, tablets and laptops charged, Union Station officials on Tuesday announced an alternative for rail travelers and commuters who have been known to scrounge around for any available electrical outlet.

The station's owner, Amtrak, said it has partnered with New Orleans-based startup MobileQubes to install four battery-rental kiosks to help rail passengers keep their phones and other devices powered.

Amtrak said it sought a vendor to provide the service after hearing concerns from its passengers and Metra customers, as spotlighted in recent Tribune stories, that Union Station needed more options for charging devices than random electrical outlets.

"This is a safer solution than people sprawling on the floor and using outlets that are designed for floor polishers," Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said. "There has been a growing need over the past several years, and this is a response to that."

MobileQubes has installed four kiosks at Union Station where customers can rent small batteries for $4.99 for 24 hours, and 99 cents for each additional day. The kiosks are similar to the popular Redbox movie rental stations, according to MobileQubes CEO and co-founder Sean Carrigan. ......................(more)

http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/14064965/phone-battery-rental-kiosks-arrive-at-union-station