The colorful train, marking its fifth anniversary, will run on the Red Line through fall
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today announced the return of the celebrated Pride Train, which will commemorate its fifth year of service with an all new, redesigned wrap reflecting the dynamism and continuing evolution of the LGBTQIA community.
“As we prepare to celebrate Pride once again, we want to remind customers that transit is for everyone,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “We are a progressive and open-minded organization that has long supported equality and inclusion, and we want all our riders and employees to know that no matter who they love or how they identify – they are welcomed at the CTA.”
This year’s train wrap, sponsored by Miller Lite, features the “Philly Flag,” which adds a black and brown stripe to the traditional six-color Pride Flag. The Philly Flag, which is widely used across the country, is seen as a more inclusive expression of the traditional Pride flag.
As transgender issues and rights have moved to the forefront over the last few years, the CTA also added the Transgender Flag - featuring blue, pink, and white – to the new railcar design.
In 2017, the CTA became the first major U.S. transit agency to unveil a Pride Train. The much-beloved train featured an undulating rainbow ribbon stretched across four rail cars. The colorful train provided service the last few weeks in June, to coincide with a variety of city-wide Pride events, including the Pride Parade.
The 2021 Pride Train will be traveling the Red Line as part of regular service beginning today through this fall to coincide with the rescheduled Chicago Pride Parade, which will now take place on October 3.
# # #