Most convenient, affordable way to get to four-day festival; both agencies adding service and capacity
CTA and Metra are adding extra service and expanded capacity to serve the tens of thousands of music fans headed to Grant Park for the four-day Lollapalooza 2022.
Starting Thursday, July 28 and running through Sunday, July 31, Metra will provide extra trains, expand passenger capacity and adjust schedules on most lines to accommodate the increase in ridership anticipated during the festival. CTA will add service on the Red, Blue and Brown lines, Yellow Line service will be extended until midnight each night and various bus routes will provide bus connections between Metra’s Chicago Union Station or Ogilvie Transportation Center and Grant Park.
To help Metra riders locate CTA buses at Union and Ogilvie stations, CTA and Metra will place sign boards directing riders to the appropriate CTA bus route. Buses serving those routes will also have signs in their windows indicating they serve the Lollapalooza site in Grant Park.
- From Union Station: Take the #126 Jackson
- From Ogilvie Transportation Center: Take the #J14 Jeffery Jump
“Public transportation is clearly the most affordable, most convenient way to travel to Lollapalooza, and Metra and CTA are again working together to make the trip as easy as possible,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “Our added service and Day Passes make choosing public transportation an easy decision.”
“CTA is providing extra service on key rail and bus routes all weekend long, so that you can skip the hassles of traffic and the costs associated with parking, gas or ride-hail apps and their surcharges,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “For just $15, CTA can get you to and from Millennium Park all three days of the event. Whereas if you drive or take ride-hail, you’ll be spending triple that amount (or more) for one days’ worth of travel. Save your money for Chow Town or getting some merchandise from your favorite bands – take public transit.”
CTA riders can take advantage of the agency’s low-cost, multi-day unlimited ride passes: $5 for a 1-day, $15 for a 3-day; $20 for a 7-day—ideal for those attending Lollapalooza for multiple days, or attending Lollapalooza after-show concerts. CTA riders also can use Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay or any contactless credit or debit card, for pay-as-you-go rides ($2.25 for bus, $2.50 for train).
Metra offers a variety of passes that can be used by festivalgoers. On weekdays, there is a $10 Day Pass that’s good for unlimited rides on any and all Metra lines, all day. For those traveling from closer areas, there is a $6 Day Pass good for unlimited rides across three zones all day. Both Day Passes are available only in the Ventra app. On the weekend, riders can choose the $7 Saturday or Sunday Day Pass for unlimited travel on Saturday or Sunday. Ventra app users also can choose the $10 Weekend Pass, good for unlimited travel on both Saturday and Sunday. Concertgoers are highly encouraged to use the Ventra app for all tickets – but make sure your phone is charged.
All riders must have a ticket to ride Metra trains, and tickets will be checked. On outbound trains, riders may be asked to show their ticket before boarding at downtown stations. To help conductors more quickly validate fares on trains crowded with people going to the show, Metra will suspend the onboard sale of reduced fare student tickets (which can slow conductors down) on all lines during Lollapalooza. Customers can still buy reduced fare student tickets from ticket agents and via the Ventra app. All customers are encouraged to buy their tickets before boarding trains.
CTA and Metra riders are reminded that the wearing of masks, while no longer required, is still recommended on buses and trains. In addition, riders should be advised that buses and trains are likely to be crowded and physical distancing may not be possible.
Customers are asked to not bring backpacks or water bottles on Metra trains during the four-day event. Alcohol is also banned on all Metra trains during the event.
For more information on Lollapalooza service offered by Metra and CTA, visit metra.com or transitchicago.com/lollapalooza
Twitter: @metra and @cta
About Metra
Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties in northeastern Illinois. The agency provides service to and from downtown Chicago with 242 stations over 11 routes totaling nearly 500 route miles and approximately 1,200 miles of track. Metra operates nearly 700 trains and provides nearly 290,000 passenger trips each weekday.
About CTA
The CTA operates the nation's second largest public transportation system and covers the City of Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs. On an average weekday, CTA provides more than 800,000 rides.
###