The Chicago Blackhawks take to the ice at the United Center on Saturday, October 8, versus the Dallas Stars and CTA provides direct service for fans heading to cheer the team for the home opener and throughout the season. The puck drops Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
CTA’s #19 United Center Express buses leave every 12-15 minutes from Michigan and Randolph beginning 90 minutes before the start of each match. After each match #19 buses will await customers on the north side of the United Center eastbound on Madison near Gate 3 and will depart approximately every 15 minutes for one hour.
Due to the closure of some downtown streets for Stage II of the Wacker Drive construction project, the following service changes are in effect along the #19 route:
Eastbound #19 buses are no longer being rerouted and have resumed traveling east on Washington over the regular route. The following changes have been made to bus stops served by eastbound buses:
Monroe/Canal: the temporary eastbound far side stop has been removed from service.
Washington/Canal: buses have resumed serving the eastbound near side stop.
Washington/Franklin: the eastbound near side stop has been temporarily relocated to a far side stop.
Washington/State: buses have resumed serving the eastbound far side stop.
Westbound #19 buses are being detoured and are traveling over the regular route along Madison to Franklin then operating via Franklin to Randolph and resuming the regular route.
The following changes have been made to stops served by westbound buses:
- Madison/Wacker: the westbound far side stop has been temporarily removed from service.
- Madison/Clinton: the westbound near side stop has been temporarily removed from service.
- Randolph/Wacker: buses are serving the westbound near side stop.
- Randolph/Canal: buses are serving the westbound near side stop.
- Randolph/Jefferson: buses are serving the new westbound near side stop.
CTA’s #20 Madison bus route, which operates between Austin and Michigan, also provides direct service to the stadium as does the #50 Damen route which operates between Ashland/Clark and 35th/Archer. #20 Madison buses are undergoing temporary reroutes to adjacent streets near Wacker as a result of the Wacker Drive construction project.
In addition to the #19, #20 and #50 bus routes, customers also can reach the United Center via the Green and Pink lines. Both routes stop at the Ashland/Lake station which is just a few blocks away from the United Center.
Fans exiting at the Ashland/Lake station can transfer to #9 Ashland buses or simply walk a few blocks to the Madhouse on Madison.
The Blue Line is also an option to get to the United Center. The Illinois Medical District station on the Forest Park branch Blue Line is a few blocks south of the United Center, so riders may walk from the station to the United Center.
Bus customers who use CTA fare media pay $2.00 to ride. For customers who pay cash on the bus, the fare is $2.25. Customers traveling to the United Center via the Green, Pink or Blue lines pay $2.25.
For details about all CTA service, call 312 836-7000 or visit the CTA website at www.transitchicago.com.
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