With so many Chicagoans on the “Nice List,” Santa will bring back a beloved tradition with a few 2020 changes
One of Chicago’s most beloved holiday traditions - the CTA Holiday Train & Bus - will continue in 2020, though with restrictions in place to keep everyone healthy for the holidays.
Santa and his elves will stay socially distanced this holiday season, meaning that customers won’t be able to board the CTA Holiday Train or the CTA Holiday Bus. Instead, the CTA Holiday Fleet will run along each rail line and multiple bus routes, spreading holiday cheer across the city.
“Each year, customers of all ages look forward to the arrival of the CTA Holiday Train and Bus,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “Because our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of our customers and employees, we wanted to find a way to spread holiday cheer across the city, but do so responsibly. Though customers won’t be able to get on board, we know that seeing the CTA Holiday Train and Bus in neighborhoods throughout the city will bring much-needed smiles, joy and hope for everyone.”
As in previous years, when the CTA Holiday Train rolls through stations throughout the CTA system, riders will see an eye-catching, fantastically festive, six-car train decorated with holiday scenes, thousands of sparkling lights and bright LED signage displays. Santa and his reindeer, once again, will ride along outside, on a flatbed car in the middle of the train, traveling from line to line to wave to children and their families. The CTA Holiday Train begins service on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, and goes dashing through the snow – and any other weather - on all CTA rail lines.
Santa still loves a good road trip too! So, beginning Tuesday, December 1, the CTA Holiday Bus will visit neighborhoods across the city to light up faces with love and laughter. On the exterior of the bus, customers will see “Ralphie the Reindeer” and his bright green nose. In addition to hundreds of twinkling lights outlining the bus, Santa will pop up through the roof to greet and wave to families.
Passengers hoping to catch a glimpse of these one-of-kind holiday attractions can find the CTA Holiday Fleet schedule by visiting: transitchicago.com/holiday.
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