Tag: CTA

Going electric: CTA to buy 20-30 more all-electric buses

After testing two all-electric buses for a full year, the CTA has decided to buy up to 30 more over the next few years. The 40-foot electric-propulsion buses, manufactured by New Flyer Industries Inc., are designed to provide a cleaner, quieter ride that reduces fuel costs and significantly decreases emissions, improving air quality for customers... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
January 25, 2016 at 7:58 pm
• 31 comments

CTA to upgrade track on west end of Green Line starting in March

Green Line riders should see smoother, more reliable commutes upon the completion of the Green Line West Track Renewal Project. The project, set to start in March, will upgrade track infrastructure between the Laramie and Harlem/Lake stations. Details were still being finalized, including how long the project would take. The CTA promises the work will occur on... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
January 18, 2016 at 7:14 pm
• 3 comments

CTA crime: Rider's ear bitten off on Orange platform; 2 teens assaulted

A passenger on the Western platform of the Orange Line Friday got a little hungry and bit off the top of another passenger’s ear. A CTA spokesman told the Tribune the two were involved in an altercation. Yes, a very personal and heated altercation, indeed. Also early on Friday morning, police said a man made “inappropriate... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
January 16, 2016 at 6:10 pm
• 2 comments
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CTA to make all rail stations accessible within 20 years

The CTA last week committed to make all rail stations fully accessible within 20 years. Twenty years. That should show you how hard it is to get capital funding these days for big-ticket items such as station rebuilds. The first step to achieving that goal is to develop a “first-ever, comprehensive plan that will outline... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
January 11, 2016 at 8:03 pm
• 20 comments

Ride CTA free for New Year's celebrations; enjoy extra train, bus service

Once again this year, the MillerCoors is joining with the CTA to offer free rides during peak New Year’s Eve ride time – 10 p.m. tonight till 4 a.m. Friday morning. In addition to the free rides, CTA also is offering extended hours of operation and/or increasing the frequency of service on several bus and... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
December 31, 2015 at 2:15 pm
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Bus speed-up projects debut: Loop Link, Ashland & Western express buses

Two new CTA bus “express” bus projects debuted this week – one meant to ease congestion and improve connections in the Loop; the other providing express bus service on two of Chicago’s busiest streets. Loop Link Loop Link features red bus-only lanes on Washington, Madison, Clinton and Canal streets. CTA riders on six buses through the area... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
December 22, 2015 at 7:50 pm
• 15 comments
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CTA Holiday Train: Last chance this week on Purple, Yellow lines; plus Holiday Bus

Christmas is less than a week away, which means it’s your final chance to ride the CTA Sprint Holiday Train and Holiday Bus. On Tuesday, you can ride the Purple Line Express from Howard to Linden at about 3:15. Then the Holiday Train turns around and heads to the Loop for it last ride downtown... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
December 20, 2015 at 4:10 pm
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CTA Holiday Train schedule: Red, Purple lines Dec. 16-19; plus Holiday Bus

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The Sprint CTA Holiday Train this week continues on the Purple and Red lines. Santa will ride the Purple Line on Wednesday and Friday, and the Red Line on Thursday. There will be two runs on each day. Then on Saturday, Santa visits both the Red and Purple lines, with a photo op at the Howard station... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
December 15, 2015 at 10:17 pm
• 1 comment

New law provides more federal bucks for CTA capital improvements

Congress last week gave public transit systems an early Christmas gift with the passage of a multiyear surface transportation authorization bill, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation, or the FAST Act. About $61 billion of the total $305 billion act will fund public transit improvements for the next five years. Included in that is about $2.7 billion in... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
December 8, 2015 at 6:39 pm
• 1 comment
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CTA Holiday Train schedule: Pink, Blue lines Dec. 8-12; plus Holiday Bus

The Sprint CTA Holiday Train this week will start on the Pink Line Tuesday and Wednesday. There will be two runs on each day. Then on Thursday through Saturday, Santa visits the Blue Line. Check here later in the week for full schedules. Meanwhile, the Sprint CTA Holiday Bus will travel on three bus routes... Read more »
By Kevin O'Neil,
December 8, 2015 at 8:03 am
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