11/17/06
CTA service to both major Chicago airports will provide Thanksgiving travelers with reliable and economical transportation. Air travel is expected to be heavy from Wednesday, November 22 through Sunday, November 26.
Air travelers can reach O'Hare Airport on the Blue Line from stations in the Dearborn subway downtown. Elevated rail customers can transfer to the Blue Line for free at the Clark/Lake station, and Red Line customers can connect to the Blue Line by using the pedestrian transfer tunnel at Jackson.
Also, customers can transfer to the Blue Line from all east-west bus routes between Grand and Foster, and from many north-south bus routes.
Orange Line trains provide direct service to Midway Airport. In the Loop, customers can transfer to the Orange Line trains at the Clark/Lake station. Red Line customers can transfer to the Orange Line for free by exiting at the Jackson station and walking two blocks to the Library elevated station.
To avoid traffic congestion, those driving to pick up or drop off air travelers using O'Hare or who go downtown to shop, may wish to park at Blue Line stations near O'Hare and complete their trips by train. Parking is available for approximately 6,800 cars at CTA's 18 Park & Ride facilities, mainly at terminals, throughout the CTA system. Rates are $3 at Rosemont and Forest Park and $2 at all other locations.
Park & Ride stations are listed on CTA's system map and on the CTA's web site. Customers may also obtain information on Park & Ride facilities by calling 836-7000 from any local area code.
Additionally, on Thanksgiving seasonal service will begin on the CTA's #10 Museum of Science & Industry route, which operates on weekends and holidays (except Christmas Day) year-round and on weekdays from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve from Michigan and Delaware. Buses operate every 15 to 30 minutes.
Fare Information
For bus customers who use CTA fare media, fares are $1.75 and transfers are an additional 25 cents. Bus customers who use cash pay $2.
For rail customers who use the CTA Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus, the fare is $1.75 and transfers are an additional 25 cents. The fare for rail customers who use a magnetic strip Transit Card or pay cash is $2. Transfers are not available when paying with cash.
Customers may purchase fare media at CTA's main office at 567 West Lake weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., online at CTA's web site, www.transitchicago.com, at any of CTA's 144 rail stations or at more than 200 non-CTA outlets such as Currency Exchanges, Jewel-Osco and Dominick's Finer Food stores and select Cub Food Stores and CVS Pharmacies.
For information about all CTA service, call 836-7000 (all local area codes) or visit CTA's web site at www.transitchicago.com.
# # #