After a successful debut on the Pink Line, the CTA’s newest rail cars, the 5000-series, were added to the Green Line today.
“We are pleased more customers will be able to enjoy a more comfortable ride aboard the new, modern 5000-series cars,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “The cars are a big part of our efforts to modernize the CTA and bring the system into the 21st century.”
One, six-car train is added to the existing fleet on the Green Line, and additional trains will be added thereafter. The new cars will replace the 2400-series cars in service on the Green Line, which are 35 years old.
The 5000-series will continue to be added throughout the summer until the entire Green Line fleet is replaced. 5000-series cars will then be added to other lines.
State-of-the-art technology on the 5000-series cars allows for smoother acceleration and braking, creating a smoother, more comfortable ride for passengers. The rail cars feature an aisle-facing seating configuration which adds six inches to the narrowest portion of the aisle, allowing more room for customers carrying backpacks, packages, luggage, strollers and bikes. There is also additional space for wheelchairs, increasing the total to two per car.
The cars also have LED displays with larger text-size that will replace the scrolling destination signs on the exterior of the lead car. Interior LED signs display the next station stop, date and time, and can also be used for a text display of the audio announcements made to customers in the rail car.
CTA will receive 706 5000-series cars, at a total cost of $1.137 billion.