CTA Launches Celebration to Mark 75 Years of Service to Chicago

The public is invited to events marking the iconic transit agency’s historic milestone

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) turns 75 this year. For three-quarters of a century, the CTA has connected customers and communities to activities and opportunities, and the agency has plans to celebrate the integral role the CTA has played in the city’s growth and progress.

In the coming months, as the CTA moves closer to its historic destination – a Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Daley Plaza, on October 1, 2022 - the public can participate in fun activities celebrating the heritage of one of the world’s most iconic transit agencies.

"For 75 years, our dedicated, hard-working employees have kept CTA on track in providing the most equitable, accessible and affordable public transportation in the country,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “This is a milestone worth celebrating, and we have both entertaining and engaging anniversary activities planned for our customers.”

From commemorative pins and posters, to famous Chicagoans sharing their CTA memories on our social media channels, to CTA trains wrapped in vintage designs from yesteryear, transit fans of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the celebration.  

Starting today, customers can take a step back in time. The CTA has “wrapped” its modern railcars in designs resembling vintage railcars that operated during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Red Line riders, for example, will see a green, cream and orange-colored paint scheme from the 1950s – used on our 6000-series railcars among other types, which many older residents will remember as the “classic” Chicago ‘L’ train design. The Museum of Science and Industry is the proud sponsor of this railcar “wrap.”

In the coming weeks, other rail lines will feature other vintage designs. Butcher Boy Cooking Oils is sponsoring this classic mint green and alpine white look, popular on much of CTA’s ‘L’ fleet from the mid-1960s through the 1980s. This railcar design was seen around the world on many TV shows and movies filmed in Chicago during this period.

On Saturday, October 1, the public can ride around the Loop aboard CTA’s actual Heritage Fleet of vintage trains and buses. Other fun festivities and surprises are planned for the Daley Plaza celebration.

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^{1-50 Series railcar at Kostner (courtesy of Krambles-Peterson Archive)}

^{2000-Series railcars (courtesy of Louis Gerard)}