Beginning Sunday, September 6, several changes will be made to select bus routes as part of the Chicago Transit Authority’s continuing efforts to improve service and operate efficiently. These changes were approved by the Chicago Transit Board over the past several months.
Service modifications will go into effect beginning Sunday, September 6, unless otherwise noted. Changes to weekday services will begin at the start of service on Tuesday, September 8, due to the Labor Day holiday.
Experimental Service Changes
Experimental service changes will be implemented for at least 180 days. Operating these changes in service on an experimental basis allows CTA to make adjustments based on customer feedback and analysis before requesting additional action by the Board.
#18 16th/18th – Additional Service
On weekdays, midday service will be added along the #18 16th/18th route between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eastbound and westbound #18 buses will continue to serve the existing route along 16th and 18th streets between the Roosevelt Red/Orange/Green Line station and Cicero Avenue.
#53A South Pulaski – Additional Service
Weekend service hours along the #53A South Pulaski route will be extended from approximately 7:15 p.m. to 10:20 p.m. – matching weekday service hours to 111th/Pulaski. In addition, the frequency of service between 31st Street/Komensky and Pulaski/111th Street will increase to every 15-20 minutes on weekends.
#55A 55th/Austin and #55N 55th/Narragansett – New Route (Postponed)
Implementation of the previously approved change – the merger of the #55A 55th/Austin and #55N 55th/Narragansett routes into the new #55W West 55th route, on an experimental basis – has been postponed.
#67 67th/69th/71st – Extended Routing
The #67 67th/69th/71st route will be extended to the Ford City Mall from its current terminal at 71st Street/Pulaski.
#157 Streeterville and #38 Ogden/Taylor – New Route
The #157 Streeterville and #38 Ogden/Taylor routes will be combined into the new #157 Streeterville/Taylor route to reduce overlapping service in the West Loop area and improve connections between the north and west sides. The combination of the two routes will provide a one-seat ride between the west side, Illinois Medical District, University of Illinois at Chicago and the Loop, Michigan Avenue and Streeterville.
As a result of the new routing, #157 buses no longer will operate along Harrison between Clinton and Canal, or north of Washington along Canal, Lake and Desplaines.
#171 U of Chicago/Hyde Park – Routing and Hours of Service
During the academic year, #171 U of Chicago/Hyde Park buses will operate approximately every 10 minutes during the rush periods and every 30 minutes during the midday. Service along this route will be provided until approximately 6 p.m. instead of 8 p.m.
In addition, #171 buses no longer will travel east of Hyde Park on South Shore Drive; instead they will operate north on Hyde Park Boulevard, west on 53rd Street, south on Lake Park, west on 55th Street and then resume the regular route.
#172 U of Chicago/Kenwood – Hours of Service
During the academic year, service on the #172 U of Chicago/Kenwood route will end approximately one hour earlier at 6 p.m., instead of 7 p.m.
During the experimental period, customers can provide their comments on any route to the CTA regarding the service via e-mail to
feedback@transitchicago.com or by calling 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282), weekdays between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Permanent Service Changes
Public hearings were held this summer regarding the elimination of select CTA bus routes. The following service adjustments are the result of changes in ridership patterns and customer feedback, as well as observation and analysis by CTA staff.
Changes in service for routes serving the University of Chicago and the surrounding area are at the request of the University of Chicago, which subsidized the cost of the routes.
Routes that will not be reinstated with the fall CTA service schedule are:
#173 U of Chicago/Lakeview Express – Eliminated
With the elimination of the #173 U of Chicago/Lakeview Express route, alternate service options include the #2 Hyde Park Express and the #6 Jackson Park Express bus routes with a transfer to another bus or rail service to reach Lakeview.
The #2 route operates between 60th Street/Cottage Grove and Navy Pier during the morning and evening rush periods on weekdays.
The #6 route provides service between 79th Street/South Shore and Wacker/Columbus.
#174 U of Chicago/Garfield Stations – Eliminated
Alternate service options for the #174 U of Chicago/Garfield Stations route are the #55 Garfield and #X55 Garfield Express routes.
During the week and on weekends during normal service hours, #55 buses operate between the Museum of Science & Industry and the Midway Orange Line station. Night owl service also is provided along the #55 route with buses operating between the Museum of Science & Industry and 55th Street/St. Louis.
On weekdays during the morning rush period and in the afternoon through the evening rush period, #X55 buses operate between the Museum of Science & Industry and the Midway Orange Line station with limited stops along the route.
(see separate release for details regarding routes serving the University of Chicago)
#200 Main Shuttle – Eliminated
As a result of low ridership – fewer than 100 rides per day – the #200 Main Shuttle route will be eliminated. The last day of service along the #200 route will be on Friday, September 4.
Alternate service is available within a half-mile south of Main Street on Oakton Street, via the #97 Skokie and #206 Evanston Circulator routes. One-half mile north of Main Street, service also is available along the #250 Pace route. Customers also can take #93 California/Dodge or #201 Central/Ridge buses, both of which cross Main Street and provide additional service options.
Scheduling
Also beginning Sunday, September 6, multiple CTA bus routes will have new schedules in effect. Most routes continue to have the same frequency and span of service, but arrival times may change by up to a few minutes.
For more information or to obtain an updated timetable, visit transitchicago.com or call 1-888-YOUR-CTA.
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