The Chicago Transit Authority is a convenient and affordable transit option for those traveling to events throughout Chicago this weekend. Additional service will be provided to accommodate customers heading to Riot Fest at Douglas Park, the Zac Brown Band concert at Wrigley Field and the Chicago Bears 2015 season opener at Soldier Field.
Work associated with the CTA’s Ravenswood Connector Rehabilitation Project also resumes this weekend, making it necessary to temporarily reroute Brown Line trains to the Red Line subway between Armitage and the Loop beginning 8 p.m. Friday, September 11 until 4 a.m. Monday, September 14.
The CTA strongly recommends that customers traveling to and from events around Chicago this weekend purchase fares in advance to 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). Other ways to pay fares including purchase from CTA vending machines 1-day unlimited ride tickets ($10) or single-ride tickets ($3) that include up to two transfers in two hours. Customers can also pay their fares with their personal contactless debit or credit cards.
Riot Fest
The CTA will provide extra bus and rail service for this weekend’s Riot Fest at Douglas Park that runs Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13.
Pink Line
Friday: Longer trains will operate in the evening. In addition, trains will run more frequently beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Saturday/Sunday: Longer trains will operate all day. In addition, trains will run more frequently beginning at approximately 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.
The California Pink Line station is located approximately two blocks from the Festival’s east entrance at Douglas Park.
#18, #52 and #49 Bus Routes
Extra bus service will operate on the #18 16th/18th, #52 Kedzie/California and the #49 Western routes beginning at approximately 5 p.m. and concluding approximately one hour after the festival ends each night.
Zac Brown Band
To accommodate concert-goers heading to Wrigley Field for the Zac Brown Band concert this Friday at 7 p.m., the CTA will provide additional service on the #80 Irving Park and the #152 from approximately 5:30 p.m. until one hour after the concert ends.
Bears Game
The Chicago Bears will host the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field for the 2015 season opener 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.
Ravenswood Connector Track Work
Work on the Ravenswood Connector Rehabilitation Project continues this weekend. On Friday, the last Loop-bound Brown Line train operating on the elevated tracks will depart the Fullerton station at 7:20 p.m., and depart Washington/Wells at 7:35 p.m. for the return trip to Kimball.
The first Brown Line train operating via the subway on Friday will depart Fullerton at 7:29 p.m. to Roosevelt, and the first Kimball-bound train will depart Roosevelt at 7:57 p.m.
Brown Line trains will operate normally between Kimball and Fullerton. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
Service to/from Armitage, Sedgwick, Chicago and Merchandise Mart
For customers who wish to board or exit from the Armitage, Sedgwick, Chicago and Merchandise Mart Brown Line stations this weekend, free shuttle buses will operate in both directions between Fullerton and Clark/Lake, making stops at or near the affected stations. For more information on weekend shuttle service, please visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/alert_detail.aspx?AlertId=29863.
Loop Elevated Shuttle Train
For customers in the downtown/Loop area, a shuttle train will operate around the Loop for connections to Brown Line service in the subway and the free shuttle buses at Clark/Lake. Customers can board this shuttle train at any Loop elevated station from the Outer Loop platform, which is normally served by Brown Line trains.
The Ravenswood Loop Connector work will require two additional temporary, weekend-only reroutes of Brown Line trains to the Red Line subway. Weather permitting, the next weekend reroute of Brown Line trains will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, September 18 through Monday, September 21.
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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