3/31/08
The first day of southbound three-track operation at the Belmont and Fullerton stations went well and there were no major service disruptions.
Throughout the morning rush, Red, Brown and Purple Express trains operated as scheduled without any major delays. During the rush period, the travel time for a southbound Red Line trip from Wilson to the Loop averaged only three minutes longer than normal. Brown Line trips averaged five minutes longer from Irving Park to the Loop.
CTA added buses to the #11 Lincoln/Sedgwick, #22 Clark, #134 Stockton/LaSalle Express, #135 Clarendon/LaSalle Express, #147 Outer Drive Express, #148 Clarendon/Michigan Express and the #156 LaSalle routes to accommodate additional bus customers.
To help ease the limits of southbound three-track, CTA is operating eight-car trains during morning and evening rush at all Brown Line stations. CTA staff on site noted that the first and last cars of Brown Line trains typically had room for additional customers as riders boarded at their normal spots along the platform and were not yet accustomed to longer trains. In addition, riders are again able to board and exit at Southport and Diversey as both stations reopened for service on Sunday, and the Wellington and Paulina stations closed for renovation.
For the first few days of southbound three track, CTA Information Specialists are at select rail stations providing CTA maps and brochures so that customers can familiarize themselves with alternate travel options.
CTA staff will continue to monitor travel patterns and make adjustments as needed, particularly through the first few weeks. The CTA's web site, transitchicago.com, and the ctabrownline.com site have all information pertaining to the three-track project.
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