6/2/03
For the first time, the Chicago Transit Authority is issuing limited edition commemorative fare cards to celebrate the 2003 White Sox/Cubs Crosstown Classic series. The cards go on sale today, Monday, June 2 at vending machines at the Sox-35th, Addison and Merchandise Mart rail stations. The cards will be available at all other CTA stations later in the week. Customers also can purchase cards at the CTA's main office on the seventh floor of the Merchandise Mart.
Chicago artist Steve Musgrave designed the fare card. Musgrave also designs commemorative posters distributed to CTA Red Line customers on game days. This year's series will take place at Wrigley Field June 20 - June 22 and at U.S. Cellular Field June 27 - June 29.
The fare card and posters acknowledge the Red Line as the connection between Cubs and Sox fans, as well as Chicago's distinction at being one of the few cities in the U.S. with both a National and American League baseball team. Since the program began in 1999, the commemorative posters have become a one-of-a-kind collectible item for fans. Musgrave also has several murals featuring Cubs legends on display at the Addison station that he adopted as part of the CTA's Adopt-A-Station program in 1998. In addition to the baseball themed work for the CTA, Musgrave designs cover art for the Cubs programs.
The CTA is also producing fare cards and a commemorative poster in honor of the White Sox hosting Major League Baseball's 75th All-Star Game at U.S. Cellular Field on July 15. Also designed by Musgrave, the All-Star fare cards will go on sale in late June.
Customers who take the Red Line to games have several convenient options. Red Line trains operate between Howard and 95th and free connections can be made from all 'L' lines serving downtown or from Brown Line trains at Belmont and Fullerton.
Fans also can access Wrigley Field from southbound Purple Line Express trains and from three CTA bus routes. The # 8 Halsted operates on Halsted from 79th Street to Broadway and Waveland. The #22 Clark runs north through the Loop on Dearborn and south on Clark from Howard, and the #152 Addison runs east and west on Addison.
Additionally, for fans that may prefer to drive part of the way to Wrigley Field for night games, #154 Wrigley Field Express buses provide direct service to Wrigley Field from parking lots at DeVry University on Rockwell just west ofWestern, beginning two hours before each game and running until one hour after. A $5 fee includes parking at DeVry and round-trip bus transit for a carload of fans.
For games at U.S. Cellular Field fans can take the Red Line to Sox-35th Station. From the State Street station downtown to Sox-35th takes only about 10 to 12 minutes, and from 95th, the trip is approximately 18 minutes.
U.S. Cellular Field is also served by #35 35th buses, which connect with accessible stations on both the Green and Orange Lines. On weekdays through early evening, #24 Wentworth buses serve the park from Clark Street downtown, and from 79th via Vincennes, Wentworth and LaSalle. #29 State buses that operate on State Street between the Red Line terminal at 95th Street and Navy Pier provide another option.
For additional CTA travel information, call 836-7000 (all local area codes), or visit the web site at www.transitchicago.com.
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