Chicago CTA 2017 HOLIDAY TRAIN & BUS SCHEDULE, with accessible services included

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) holiday trains and bus are a holiday tradition unique to Chicago, and in 2017 are sponsored by Jewel-Osco!

The Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Train is a six-car train decked out in lights, holiday prints and comes complete with Santa on a sleigh in the middle of the train, bringing holiday cheer across the city and neighboring communities our rail system serves. On Saturdays, a similarly-decorated Jewel-Osco CTA Elves' Workshop Train also now joins and follows the first to help ensure everyone has a chance to enjoy this exciting tradition.

Complementing these two festive trains is the Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Bus, which brings the same holiday spirit and joy to bus riders as it travels throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods.

CTA Holiday Trains / Bus 2016

YouTube published by CTAConnections

Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Train and Elves' Workshop Train.

What few may realize is that the Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Train serves two very important purposes: to deliver joy and the holiday spirit to thousands of riders and also to deliver food baskets to various charitable agencies throughout the city.

The Holiday Train tradition began on the Blue Line in 1992 when a “Season’s Greetings from the CTA” sign was placed on the front of an out-of-service train that was used to deliver food to various charities. Over the years, this holiday tradition has evolved from its modest and humble beginnings to a spectacular, joyous sight to see – in daytime or nighttime.

Today, as the train pulls into each station, Santa waves to the boarding riders from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar carrying his reindeer and decorated holiday trees.

Both the Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Train and the Jewel-Osco CTA Elves’ Workshop Train are wrapped with holiday and seasonal images. Outside, thousands of twinkling lights outline the shape of the train and windows, with even more lights running across the tops of the cars.

Strands of multi-colored lights are also strung inside the two trains along with red bows, garland, red and green overhead lighting and hand poles wrapped to look like candy canes. Riders will be greeted by Santa’s elves with plenty of candy canes for good boys and girls.

Charity food delivery

Our family continues its more-than-25-year tradition of supporting Chicago communities. Each year employees donate their time and money to purchase groceries and assemble food baskets for delivery to community organizations across the city. This year, we'll donate hundreds of food baskets to local community organizations.

Each food basket contains all the ingredients for a complete meal including a canned ham, potatoes, mixed vegetables, muffin mix, macaroni and cheese, fruit cocktail, green beans, corn and dessert.

Travel Tips

Both the train and bus are in-service vehicles that operate as part of regular service; therefore, they cannot dwell at stations/stops for long periods of time. While every effort is made to accommodate riders, space is limited and boarding is not guaranteed.

To ensure everyone has an opportunity to see and take part in this annual tradition, here are a few suggested tips to make the most of your experience:

• Plan ahead and allow extra travel time. You can also track the whereabouts of Santa using CTA Train Tracker, which will indicate the Holiday Train with a candy cane.
   
• Travel light: with many families making the train a part of their holiday traditions, small collapsible strollers are encouraged so that you and others have an opportunity to board the train.
   
• Boarding: the train/bus will become more crowded as it travels down its route; therefore, we recommend customers consider the following:
  • Board at a station/stop close to the beginning of the route. Unlike other in-service trains/buses, many people who board the train or bus often stay on board until it reaches the end of its route—and will then take it back home if it is scheduled to make a return trip.
  • Train (Only): rail cars toward the front or back of the train will be less crowded compared to those immediately adjacent to Santa’s sleigh.
     
• Taking photos: see schedules for scheduled photo sessions with Santa. When taking photos while the train and bus are in service, we recommend the following:
  • Train: if you are planning to ride the train and take photos from a station platform, don’t miss your opportunity to board the train! Board the train first and then plan to take photos of Santa or the train when exiting at your destination.
  • Bus: riders who wish to take photos with Santa on board the bus are encouraged to do so only when the vehicle is stopped and ideally just before exiting the through rear doors.  

VISIT Transit Chicago for schedule info,Trip Planner, and more: http://www.transitchicago.com/ 

Accessible transit

 The CTA offers a range of features and services to provide transit that's accessible to people with disabilities. In short:

• 100% of vehicles (both buses and railcars) are accessible.
• 102 of 145 rail stations are accessible.
   

Though more than two thirds of CTA's system is now accessible and key station upgrade requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act have long been met, multiple projects are under way make more of our stations fully accessible. The CTA also has been developing a roadmap to bringing our system to 100% accessibility! Read about CTA All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP).

VISIT the CTA Accessible Transit webpage for more information, and services!

Chicago area Paratransit service is provided by PACE Suburban Bus Service, for Paratransit information: CLICK HERE.

Train Schedule

The Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Train will travel all 'L' lines in late November and December as part of regular rail service. Normal CTA fares apply.

The train generally operates from about 1pm to 8pm on weekends and 3pm to 7pm on select weekdays (schedules for each rail line will vary), and will make stops at all stations along the respective routes. And every Saturday the Holiday Train is in service, additional Jewel-Osco CTA Elves' Workshop Train will follow to allow more to enjoy this one of a kind holiday experience.

Listed below are the dates that Santa will be taking photos on CTA’s Holiday Train.

Saturday - December 2, 2017 

Brown Line Kimball – 11:15am -12:15pm

Orange Midway – 2:45pm – 4:15pm

Saturday - December 9, 2017 (Blue/Pink)

Pink Line 54^th  - 12:45pm – 1:30pm

Blue Line Forest Park – 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Blue Line O’Hare – 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Saturday – December 16, 2016 (Red/Purple/Yellow)

Red Line Howard – 11:15 – 12:00pm

Red Line 95^th  - 1:45pm – 2:30pm

Purple Line Linden – 4:45pm – 5:30pm

2017 Detailed Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Train Schedule Follow date links, where available, for detailed schedules (posted as they become available).
Red Line	11/18 - Sat
Green Line & Orange Line	11/24 - Fri
Green Line	11/25 - Sat*
Green Line & Orange Line	11/28 - Tue
Orange Line & Brown Line	11/29 - Wed
Orange Line & Brown Line	11/30 - Thu
Orange Line & Brown Line	12/1 - Fri
Orange Line & Brown Line	12/2 - Sat*
Pink Line	12/5 - Tue
Pink Line	12/6 - Wed
Blue Line	12/7 - Thu
Blue Line	12/8 - Fri
Blue Line (+ photo-only stop on Pink Line)	12/9 - Sat*
Red Line	12/12 - Tue
Purple Line	12/13 - Wed
Red Line	12/14 - Thu
Purple Line	12/15 - Fri
Red Line & Purple Line	12/16 - Sat*
Purple Line	12/21 - Thu
Yellow Line	12/22 - Fri

Photos with Santa;
*Jewel-Osco CTA Elves' Workshop Train in service and directly following the Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Train

Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Bus

Day or night, the CTA commutes of thousands and the streets of Chicago’s neighborhoods are made merry with the Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Bus. Now in its fourth year of operation, CTA employees transformed a 60-foot bus into a winter wonderland as a way to say “thank you” to customers and bring added cheer this holiday season.

The exterior wrap features “Ralphie the Reindeer” leading the way with his crimson nose aglow and Santa’s sleigh in tow. Strings of lights outline the bus and its windows, while Ralphie is brought to life with 3-D antlers atop the bus and a ruby light affixed to the front of the bus.  

Inside, the bus features multi-colored lights, holiday-themed seating, candy-cane striping, and one-of-a-kind artwork created by students from Skinner West  Elementary. In the very back of the bus is Santa and his workshop, which serves as the perfect setting for the scheduled photo sessions with Santa

2017 Detailed Jewel-Osco CTA Holiday Bus Schedule
NOTE: schedule times are approximate and subject to change.
Route	Date in Service	Departure Times(coming soon)
#56 Milwaukee	Tue 11/28
	Wed 11/29
#92 Foster #91 Austin	Thu 11/30
#22 Clark	Fri 12/1
#22 Clark/ #97 Skokie	Sat 12/2
#66 Chicago	Tue 12/5
	Wed 12/6
#126 Jackson	Thu 12/7
#12 Roosevelt	Fri 12/8
	Sat 12/9
#29 State	Wed 12/13
	Thu 12/14
#28 Stony Island	Fri 12/15
#62 Archer	Sat 12/16
	Sun 12/17
#X49 Western Exp.	Wed 12/20
#79 79th	Thu 12/21
#3 King Drive	Fri 12/22
	Sat 12/23

= Photos with Santa

VISIT Transit Chicago for schedule info,Trip Planner, and more: http://www.transitchicago.com/ 

PRIORITY SEATING IS INTENDED FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES!

SOURCE: Chicago Transit Authority; misc.