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.

Chicago Police Alert: Suspect Violently Robbed Elderly Man at Chicago CTA Stop

UPDATE FOLLOWS ORIGINAL POST- SUSPECT CHARGED!
SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE - Police are searching for a suspect (photo) who violently robbed an elderly man of his cellphone Monday night on a Brown Line platform in the Loop.

About 9:35 p.m., the 81-year-old was riding a Brown Line train as it approached the Washington/Wabash station at 29 N. Wabash Ave., according to an alert from Chicago Police. As the train’s doors opened at the station, the suspect ripped the man’s cellphone from his hands, and an ensuing struggle caused the man to tumble down a staircase on the platform.

The man suffered a laceration to his right temple, bleeding on the brain, abrasions, bruising and swelling to his hands and knees, police said. He was admitted to an intensive care unit for further observation.

The suspect is described as a black man, thought to be between 19 and 25 years old, standing between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-7 with a dark brown complexion, police said. He was seen in surveillance footage wearing a black durag, a black Calvin Klein t-shirt, gray pants and a red backpack.

Anyone with information should call Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8384.

POSTED: OCT 18 2017 03:58PM CDT

# # #

Woman Charged In Loop 'L' Robbery In Which 81-Year-Old Man Fell Down Stairs

DNA.info article Oct 21, 2017

Chicago CTA Holiday Train Schedule 2016

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) 2016 holiday train will once again be bringing joy to boys and girls of all ages, officials said. Santa and his elves will ride the train passing out candy canes and season's greetings.

The spectacular train is an amazing sight - during the daytime and at night. The outside of the six car train is adorned with holiday seasonal images. Thousands of twinkling lights outline the shape of the train and windows, with even more lights running across the tops of the cars.

Interiors of the cars are decked out with thousands of multi-colored lights, red bows, garland, and red and green overhead lighting. The hand poles are wrapped to look like candy canes.

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

This is the 25th year anniversary of this Chicago holiday tradition.

CTA - 2014 Holiday Train Video

The CTA Holiday Train will run through Dec. 23.

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. As Time Schedules become available, we will update information

• Nov. 19: Red Line (Schedule)

• Nov. 25-26: Green Line

• Nov. 29: Green and Orange lines

• Nov. 30-Dec. 3: Brown and Orange lines

• Dec. 6-7: Pink Line

• Dec. 8-10: Blue Line

• Dec. 13: Red Line

• Dec. 14: Purple Line

• Dec. 15: Red Line

• Dec. 16: Purple Line

• Dec. 17: Red and Purple lines

• Dec. 22: Purple Line express

• Dec. 23: Yellow Line

The CTA also continues a more-than-20-year agency tradition of supporting Chicago communities. Every year, CTA employees embrace the spirit of the holidays and donate time and money to purchase groceries and assemble food baskets that are distributed to community organizations across the city, and donate approximately 300 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. The Holiday Train delivers the food baskets over the holiday season.

Travel Tips

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 Sprint CTA Holiday Train and Bus experience:

• 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 will become more crowded as it travels down the rail line; therefore, we recommend customers consider the following:
  • Board at a station close to the beginning of the route. Unlike other in-service trains, many people who board the train often stay on board until it reaches the terminal—and will take it back home if the train is scheduled to make a return trip.
  • 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: 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. The Spr Holiday Train is an in-service train and has to maintain a service schedule; therefore it cannot dwell at stations for long periods of time.
• 
  

Accessibility: CTA Trains and Buses are accessible for People with Disabilities. Please refer to CTA on availability of CTA Train Stations being accessible [click here].

Priority Seating is intended for people with disabilities of all ages, if there are carts, baby strollers,luggage, etc. in Priority Seating area, ask CTA personnel to make announcement of a Priority Seat is needed. 

For Full Accessibility Information, [click here]

For more from the CTA, visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Offers New Alerts About Elevator Status

from a Press Release on May 10, 2016
Chicago Transit Authority

Email, text message service provides real-time updates systemwide 

Continuing its efforts to provide useful, real-time information to customers, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today launched a new system to notify customers about the status of CTA elevators.

Customers can now subscribe to alerts about unplanned outages and service restoration of elevators at CTA rail stations systemwide, received via text message or email. Customers can choose to receive notifications for individual lines or all rail lines, with information on when elevators are taken out of service for maintenance or repair, and when they resume operation.

“Providing real-time information is an important way the CTA can help ensure a positive customer experience,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “This new feature will make the information available wherever you are—on a platform, on a bus getting ready to transfer, or already on the train and en-route to a station.” The real-time information, he added, will be especially helpful to CTA riders who are wheelchair users, allowing them to plan seamless commutes.

CTA operates 153 elevators at 88 rail stations, serving either the elevated structure or subway level. Through April 2016, CTA elevators had an average uptime percentage of 99.5 percent.

While unplanned elevator outages are comparatively rare, heavy use does require occasional scheduled maintenance to keep them running smoothly, Carter noted. “We always strive to minimize inconvenience to customers, but when we need to make repairs, we want to make sure our customers are fully informed.”

To do so, CTA has a comprehensive alerts notification system for planned elevator maintenance. In addition to email/text alerts, the CTA also updates elevator status on informational boards at rail stations. Riders can also call 1-888-Your-CTA (1-888-968-7282) and press Option 7 for elevator status info. Elevator info is also on CTA’s website.

To subscribe to elevator alerts via text message:

·         Text "cta elevators" to GOV311 or visit http://www.transitchicago.com/updates/

To subscribe to elevator alerts via email:

·         Visit http://www.transitchicago.com/updates/

More information is available on the CTA's website at: http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/accessibility_status.aspx.  

  

http://www.transitchicago.com/news/default.aspx?Month=&Year=&Category=2&ArticleId=3542

Chicago's CTA Announces Next Step Toward Making its Rail System 100% Accessible - 'after 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act'

from a Press Release | Jan. 7, 2016
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

CTA Announces Next Step Toward Making its Rail System 100% Accessible

New program will devise blueprint for making remaining stations wheelchair accessible within next 20 years

As part of Mayor Emanuel’s ongoing commitment to improve accessibility throughout the City of Chicago, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today announced a new initiative that will establish a blueprint for making the nation’s second largest transit agency 100 percent accessible over the next 20 years.

During Wednesday evening’s ADA 25 Chicago celebration, CTA President Dorval Carter introduced plans for the creation of the new CTA Strategic Accessibility Program – a first-ever, comprehensive plan that will outline both short-term and long-term initiatives to make the CTA’s rail system fully ADA accessible over the next 20 years and plans to either repair and/or replace existing rail system elevators.

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in the last 25 years, which has only been possible thanks to the strong commitment from Mayor Emanuel and the City of Chicago, as well as the involvement of the disability-rights community,” said Carter. “We do, however, recognize there is still more work to do and the creation of this new program will help map out a path for CTA to deliver on this commitment two decades from now.”

Over the next year, a working group consisting of City of Chicago, CTA, ADA and disability community members, architects and others will be responsible for outlining a high-level cost estimate and schematic schedule for achieving the goal of 100% accessibility – all of which will be dependent on funding. As part of this program, CTA will conduct public outreach to solicit feedback from the general public and disability community, which will be taken into consideration before the report is finalized sometime in early 2017. 

Nearly 70 percent of CTA’s 145 rail stations are currently wheelchair accessible. Of the 46 stations currently not equipped with elevators, many are well over a half-century old, built well before the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.  More than half of those stations are expected to receive ADA improvements in the coming years as part of larger capital improvement projects, including:

·         Wilson Station Reconstruction project

·         Red and Purple Modernization project

·         Your New Blue project to improve the Blue Line O’Hare Branch

·         Blue Line Vision Study for the Blue Line Forest Park branch

·         New Washington/Wabash station on Loop ‘L’

·         Retrofitting the historic Quincy Loop ‘L’ station with new elevators and other ADA compliant features.

###

While this is great news that finally the City of Chicago, and its transit agency the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has developed a plan for accessibility, of course the question of why it took so long for at least a plan to be developed. 

ABC7 Chicago has been doing reports on this, below is current the announcement.

Did You Know?

For people with disabilities, Illinois ranks near the bottom of all 50 states for quality of community living, education and employment.

###

NOT-SO-RAPID TRANSIT: CTA SAYS DISABILITY ACCESS WILL TAKE 20 YEARS TO COMPLETE

ABC7 I-Team Investigation

By Chuck Goudie | January 7, 2016

CHICAGO (WLS) --

Two months after the I-Team exposed dozens of CTA stations in violation of federal access laws, transit authority officials have new plans to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

There will be nothing rapid about the transit stations' overhaul. CTA officials say it will take 20 years for the agency to be 100 percent compliant with the ADA.

By the time the CTA is 100 percent compliant, the ADA will have been in effect for 45 years.

That means scenes like this will continue for two decades at some CTA stations where there are no elevators or escalators.

"Whew there's a lot of stairs," said Kenetha Robinson, a CTA passenger.

What the I-Team discovered was an uphill battle for passengers at dozens of L stations across the city. There are 146 CTA train stations - 100 of which are accessible in compliance with the ADA, which became law 25 years ago. That leaves 46 stops with no elevators.

"We agree 100 percent with our customers that all rail stations should be fully accessible to our customers. That's a goal. We've been working on that for a very long time," said Tammy Chase, CTA spokesperson.

The announcement Thursday makes it clear they will continue working on it for a very long time. Even though the ADA became law in 1990, this is the agency's "first-ever comprehensive plan" to abide by it. The "CTA Strategic Accessibility Program" will make the rail system fully ADA accessible over the next 20 years and plans to either repair and/or replace existing rail system elevators.

Among them is the Clinton Blue Line station downtown, an antiquated stop with no elevator and lots of stairs that even able passengers struggle to access every day.

"The Blue Line is super convenient from my house but this stop is always such a pain. I'm already kind of huffing and puffing and I'm in decent shape," said Rebecca Hinsdale, a CTA passenger.

Even though dozens of CTA stations are not accessible to people with disabilities, CTA officials say they have actually met every ADA requirement the past 25 years. In a statement late Thursday, CTA officials said that accessibility projects are complex and long-term and that full accessibility will take time.

STATEMENT FROM CTA SPOKESPERSON TAMMY CHASE:

We are fully committed to making CTA's entire rail system fully accessible, which is why we are developing a plan to update the CTA stations that are not currently fully accessible.

We are in compliance with the ADA standards, but we are committed to do more for those in need of accessible stations and continue to push for funding to make those improvements.

We're pleased that, under Mayor Emanuel, nearly 70 percent of our stations are now accessible, but we won't be stop until we reach the goal of 100 percent. When Mayor Emanuel took office, 94 out of CTA's 143 rail stations (66%) were accessible to people who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. At the end of his second term, 105 stations will be accessible, with several others in the process of receiving accessibility improvements.

Making our system fully accessible will take time, for many of the reasons you noted in your story about the Clinton station. Accessibility projects are complex, long-term undertakings that require appropriate funding levels. Our stations are unique and require customized approaches that factor in their unique characteristics. And, many stations more than a half-century old with many pushing 100 years, long before engineers and planners contemplated modern accessibility standards.

We continue to work closely with disability community to identify priorities and develop plans to reach our goal.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/not-so-rapid-transit-cta-says-disability-access-will-take-20-years-to-complete/1150605/

Chicago 2015 CTA Holiday Train & Bus info, Q & A, accessibility

2015 CTA Holiday Train

it’s that time of year to get into the holiday spirit and catch a ride on the Sprint CTA Holiday Train! Santa and his elves will ride the train passing out candy canes and season's greetings.

The spectacular train is an amazing sight - during the daytime and at night. The outside of the six-car train is adorned with holiday seasonal images. Thousands of twinkling lights outline the shape of the train and windows, with even more lights running across the tops of the cars.

Interiors of the cars are decked out with thousands of multi-colored lights, red bows, garland, and red and green overhead lighting. The hand poles are wrapped to look like candy canes.

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

Happy Holidays from the CTA - 2014 Holiday Video

Charity food delivery

The CTA also continues a more-than-20-year agency tradition of supporting Chicago communities. Every year, CTA employees embrace the spirit of the holidays and donate time and money to purchase groceries and assemble food baskets that are distributed to community organizations across the city.We'll donate approximately 300 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. The Holiday Train delivers the food baskets on three separate days over the holiday season.

Schedule

The Sprint CTA Holiday Train will travel all 'L' lines in 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.

2015 Detailed Sprint CTA Holiday Train Schedule Click the dates below to see full details.  (Detailed schedules are posted as they become available. Unlinked dates indicate a schedule for that date has not yet been published.)
Red Line	11/21 - Sat
Green Line	11/27 - Fri
Green Line	11/28 - Sat
Green Line	12/1 - Tue
Orange Line & Brown Line	12/2 - Wed
Orange Line & Brown Line	12/3 - Thu
Orange Line & Brown Line	12/4 - Fri
Orange Line & Brown Line	12/5 - Sat
Pink Line	12/8 - Tue
Pink Line	12/9 - Wed
Blue Line	12/10 - Thu
Blue Line	12/11 - Fri
Blue Line (+ photo-only stop on Pink Line)	12/12 - Sat
Red Line	12/15 - Tue
Purple Line	12/16 - Wed
Red Line	12/17 - Thu
Purple Line	12/18 - Fri
Red Line & Purple Line	12/19 - Sat
Purple Line	12/22 - Tue
Yellow Line	12/23 - Wed

 = Photos with Santa

Travel Tips

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 Sprint CTA Holiday Train and Bus experience:

• 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 will become more crowded as it travels down the rail line; therefore, we recommend customers consider the following:
  • Board at a station close to the beginning of the route. Unlike other in-service trains, many people who board the train often stay on board until it reaches the terminal—and will take it back home if the train is scheduled to make a return trip.
  • 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: 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. The Spr Holiday Train is an in-service train and has to maintain a service schedule; therefore it cannot dwell at stations for long periods of time.
• 
  

Accessibility: CTA Trains and Buses are accessible for People with Disabilities. Please refer to CTA on availability of CTA Train Stations being accessible [click here].

Priority Seating is intended for people with disabilities of all ages, if there are carts, baby strollers,luggage, etc. in Priority Seating area, ask CTA personnel to make announcement of a Priority Seat is needed.
For Full Accessibility Information, [click here]

2015 CTA Holiday Bus

Day or night, the commutes of thousands will be made brighter when they see the Sprint CTA Holiday Bus -- a 60-foot bus bejeweled inside and out with hundreds of lights and holiday decorations -- as it travels throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods this holiday season! The bus was created by CTA bus personnel 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.  

The soft glow of multi-colored lights adds a warm touch to the interior of the bus as well as holiday-themed seating, candy-cane striping, artwork created by students from Wadsworth Elementary and elves on board handing out candy canes to all the good boys and girls.

In the very back of the bus is Santa’s den, which serves as the perfect setting for the scheduled photo sessions with Santa -- featuring a cozy fireplace, Santa’s armchair flanked with toy soldiers, decorated trees and oversized presents.

Schedule

The Sprint CTA Holiday Bus will travel nine CTA bus routes throughout the city between December 2-23 as part of regular service. Normal CTA fares apply.

The bus will generally operate from late morning through early evening on select weekdays and weekends (schedules for each route will vary), and will serve all posted stops along the respective routes.

2015 Sprint CTA Holiday Bus Schedule
NOTE: schedule times are approximate and subject to change.
Date	Route	Departure and Photo Session Times
12/2 – Wed*	#29 State	Departs 95th/Dan Ryan at 12:30pm Photos @ Navy Pier (approx. 5:20pm – 6pm)
12/3 - Thu	#29 State	Departs 95th/Dan Ryan at 12:30pm
12/4 – Fri*	#62 Archer	Departs State/Kinzie at 12:30pm Photos at Midway (approx. 6:30pm – 7:30pm)
12/5 – Sat	#62 Archer	Departs Midway at 12:45pm
12/6 – Sun*	#3 King Drive	Departs Ontario/Fairbanks at 1pm Photos @ Chicago State University (approx. 6:10pm –7 pm)
12/9 – Wed	#3 King Drive	Departs from CSU/95th at 12:30pm
12/10 – Thu*	#12 Roosevelt	Departs Central/Harrison at 1pm Photos @ Central/Harrison (approx. 4pm – 4:45pm)
12/11 – Fri	#12 Roosevelt	Departs Roosevelt/Kedzie at 1:30pm
12/12 – Sat*	#66 Chicago	Departs Chicago/Pulaski at 11:40am Photos @Navy Pier (approx. 4pm – 5pm)
12/16 – Wed	#66 Chicago	Departs Chicago/Pulaski at 11:40am
12/17 – Thu*	#56 Milwaukee	Departs Madison/Wabash at 1pm Photos @ Jefferson Park Terminal (approx. 5:30pm – 6:30pm)
12/18 – Fri	#56 Milwaukee	Departs Jefferson Park Terminal at 12:45pm
12/19 – Sat*	#22 Clark	Departs Howard Terminal at 12:45pm Photos @ Howard Bus Terminal (approx. 6:30pm –7:30pm)
12/20 – Sun*	#97 Skokie	Departs Howard Terminal at 11:30am (to Old Orchard) Photos @ Old Orchard Mall (approx. 12:30pm –1:30pm)
	#22 Clark	Departs Howard Terminal at 2:30pm
12/23 – Wed*	#49 Western	Departs 79th/Western at 12:30pm Photos @ 79th/Western (approx. 4:30pm – 5:30pm)

*Indicates scheduled date for photos with Santa

Sprint Sponsors 2015 CTA Holiday Train, and  Holiday Bus 

For the CTA website: http://www.transitchicago.com/

# The information posted is as posted by CTA, and other sources.