The Agency is expanding Frequent Network bus routes across Chicago providing 10-minutes-or-better service daily
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today announced more frequent and expanded service on 10 bus routes starting Sunday, August 23, including the addition of three bus routes to the heralded Frequent Network.
Frequent Network bus routes provide service every 10 minutes or better, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends. The network provides strong connections to regional transit partners Pace and Metra: all routes connect directly to Pace and Metra service, allowing for more convenient, reliable transfers between systems. A fourth route will be added to the Frequent Network in December, bringing the total to 24 routes by the end of the year.
“Last year, we introduced the Frequent Network because we know what our riders want from public transit: service that is frequent, reliable and there when they need it,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “The success of the Frequent Network—with more than 85,000 additional rides each week—is the result of our riders’ response to our investment in their travel experience. Thanks to the additional funding provided through the NITA Act, we can build on that momentum, expand our Frequent Network and continue to deliver the kind of transit system our riders deserve—seven-days-a-week.”
Beginning August 23, the three routes joining the Frequent Network will be:
- #35 31st/35th: 40% more service weekdays, 65% more service weekends/holidays
- #74 Fullerton (includes weekend evening frequency improvements): 20% more service weekdays, 30% more service Saturdays, 50% more service Sundays/holidays
- #85 Central: 30% more service weekdays, 40% more service Saturdays, 50% more service Sundays/holidays
In December, CTA will add the #8 Halsted route, bringing the network to 24 routes.
In addition to expanding the Frequent Network, the CTA will also be extending service hours and/or frequency on the following seven routes:
- #3 King Drive: Earlier Sunday/holiday service
- #44 Wallace/Racine: Earlier Sunday/holiday service
- #70 Division: Earlier weekday service
- #74 Fullerton: More frequent service between 9 PM and midnight on weekends
- #73 Armitage: Later Saturday and Sunday service
- #76 Diversey: Earlier Sunday/holiday service, later Saturday and Sunday/holiday service
- #91 Austin: Earlier Saturday and Sunday/holiday service
The Frequent Network has saved riders over 55 million minutes of waiting time since it was launched in 2025. By the end of the year, an estimated 75% of the CTA service area will now be within a half mile of a frequent bus route, benefiting roughly 2.4 million riders.
The Frequent Network provides frequent service all day, but riders will see the most service improvements during midday, evening and weekend hours. The Frequent Network builds on CTA’s Bus Vision Framing Report, which analyzed CTA bus service and identified much needed service improvements on weekends, evenings and midday to ensure CTA’s buses better serve riders, especially low-income and minority riders.
These service upgrades are possible due to the passage of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act last fall. The law includes approximately $1.5 billion in new funding annually for CTA, Metra, and Pace paired with reforms to improve efficiency, coordination, and accountability. In May the RTA Board approved an amendment to the region’s transit operating budget that made these upgrades and many other service improvements possible this year.
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