Extra service provided for New Year’s Eve; Bears game; United Center events
NOTE: All CTA bus and rail service will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Thursday, December 31 – New Year’s Eve. A Sunday/Holiday schedule will be in effect on Friday, January 1 – New Year’s Day.
The Chicago Transit Authority is a convenient and affordable transit option for those traveling to events around Chicago this weekend, including New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Bears game as well as upcoming events at the United Center.
The CTA recommends that customers traveling to and from events around Chicago this New Year’s Eve to purchase fares in advance, which will decrease travel times and avoid long lines at rail station vending machines. Customers can load ahead of time transit value or unlimited ride passes (1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day) to their Ventra farecards at rail stations, online or at nearly 1,300 local retailers (locations available at ventrachicago.com). Customers can also add value to their accounts by using the new Ventra App, available for free download via www.ventrachicago.com, the App Store and Google Play.
Customers should allow extra travel time.
New Year’s Eve Service
In anticipation of increased ridership due to New Year’s Eve celebrations, CTA is providing extra rail and bus service across several rail lines and bus routes.
RAIL SERVICE
Red Line
Longer trains will operate until 3 a.m. In addition, trains will operate more frequently from approximately 1 a.m. until 2 a.m.
Blue Line
Longer trains will operate beginning at 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. In addition, trains will operate more frequently from midnight until 3 a.m.
Green Line
Longer trains will operate beginning at 6 p.m. until end of service from Harlem and from 7 p.m. until end of service from Ashland/63rd and Cottage Grove. The last Green Line train from the Loop will depart at approximately 1:40 a.m.
Brown Line
Longer trains will operate beginning at 9:30 p.m. until end of service. The last Brown Line train from the Loop will depart at approximately 2:20 a.m.
Orange Line
Longer trains will operate from 7 p.m. until end of service. The last Orange Line train from the Loop will depart at approximately 1:40 a.m.
Yellow Line
Yellow Line trains will continue to operate until approximately 2 a.m., from Howard.
Purple Line
Longer trains will operate from 7:30 a.m. until end of service. Purple Line trains will continue to operate until approximately 2 a.m., from Howard.
BUS SERVICE
In anticipation of increased ridership due to New Year’s Eve celebrations, several bus routes will provide more frequent service and/or extended hours. For more information please visit:
United Center Events
The CTA will operate the #19 United Center Express for customers attending the upcoming events at the United Center:
- Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. – Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers
- Friday, Jan. 1 at 7 p.m. – Chicago Bulls vs. New York Nets
- Sunday, Jan. 3 at 6 p.m. – Chicago Blackhawks vs. Ottawa Senators
- Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. – Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. – Chicago Blackhawks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Thursday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. – Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics
- Friday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. – Chicago Blackhawks vs. Buffalo Sabres
Bus Service:
#19 United Center Express buses will leave from Michigan and Randolph beginning approximately 2 hours before the start of each event. After each event, #19 buses will operate for approximately one hour and await customers on the north side of the United Center eastbound on Madison near Gate 3.
Rail Service:
CTA’s Ashland/Lake station, served by the Green and Pink lines, is located a few blocks northeast of the United Center. Customers exiting at the station can transfer to #9 Ashland buses or simply walk a few blocks to the stadium. Customers taking the Blue Line can get to the United Center by exiting at the Illinois Medical District station and walking a few blocks north to the United Center.
Bears Game
The Chicago Bears will host the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field this Sunday at noon. The CTA will operate the #128 Soldier Field Express between Union Station, Ogilvie and Soldier Field, and will provide additional #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express service for customers heading to the game. Additional service will begin at approximately 9 a.m. and continue until one hour after the game ends.
For more information on getting to the game on the CTA, please visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/riding_cta/popdest/sports.aspx.
Stay in the Loop on CTA service
Plan your trip using the Google Transit Trip Planner. Be sure to also check out CTA on Facebook or Twitter (@CTA) for system travel updates and alerts. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com.
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