Weekday pilot will test demand for extended service hours; provide convenience for CTA customers who stay late in the city for work or fun
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) on Monday, June 1 will begin offering an additional Purple Line Express train on weekday evenings in a six-week pilot to determine demand for later evening service between the downtown Loop and Evanston/Wilmette.
“The CTA is constantly seeking to improve service to customers and this new pilot will allow us to test demand and attract riders for additional evening service on CTA’s Purple Line Express,” said CTA Chief Planning Officer Carole Morey.
“The pilot provides an additional service option to suburban customers who want to stay in the city for work or fun, and customers who work in Evanston and live in downtown Chicago.”
Through July 10, the CTA will provide an additional Loop-bound train that will depart the Purple Line Linden station at 8 p.m. and arrive at the Clark/Lake Loop station at approximately 8:50 p.m. The Linden-bound train will depart Washington/Wells at 9 p.m. This additional service option will save as much as 10 minutes of travel time for customers by eliminating the need to transfer between the Red and Purple lines at Howard.
Regular evening weekday Purple Line Express service is provided from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Linden to the Loop. The pilot service will mirror existing Purple Line Express service and make stops at all stations between Linden and Howard on the Purple Line and then all posted “Express” stops between Howard and the Loop.
The pilot will come at a minimal cost of approximately $7,000 and will provide valuable information in determining the viability of extending the Purple Line Express service hours.
Purple Line Express Pilot Schedule*:
- Linden: 7:58 p.m. (train departs)
- Davis: 8:05 p.m.
- Howard: 8:12 p.m.
- Belmont: 8:29 p.m.
- Fullerton: 8:34 p.m.
- Clark/Lake: 8:48 p.m.
- Adams/Wabash: 8:54 p.m.
- Washington/Wells: 9:00 p.m.
- Fullerton: 9:15 p.m.
- Belmont: 9:20 p.m.
- Howard: 9:37 p.m.
- Davis: 9:44 p.m.
- Linden: 9:50 p.m.
*Schedule is subject to change due to planned or unplanned events, be sure to plan ahead check transitchicago.com for any service updates.
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