“Any way you want it,” public transit is your best choice for making the Journey to the four-day Grant Park festival; Like Tyler, the Creator, we want to “See You Again” on our trains and buses
CTA and Metra will add extra service and expanded capacity to serve the tens of thousands of music fans headed to Grant Park to enjoy one of the country’s most popular festivals: Lollapalooza 2021. This four-day event will be Chicago’s largest public gathering since the City fully re-opened from the pandemic—and an ideal opportunity to take advantage of public transit.
Starting Thursday, July 29 and running through Sunday, August 1, Metra will provide extra trains, expand passenger capacity and adjust schedules on most lines to accommodate the increase in ridership anticipated during the four-day festival. CTA will add service on rail lines and various bus routes will provide connections from Chicago Union Station or Ogilvie Transportation Center, Metra stations and Grant Park.
CTA and Metra riders are reminded that the wearing of masks is still required on buses and trains. In addition, riders should be advised that buses and trains are likely to be crowded and physical distancing may not be possible.
To help Metra riders locate CTA buses at Union and Ogilvie stations, CTA and Metra will place sign boards directing riders to the appropriate CTA bus route. Buses serving those routes will also have signs in their windows indicating they serve the Lollapalooza site in Grant Park.
- From Union Station: Take the #126 Jackson
- From Ogilvie Transportation Center: Take the #J14 Jeffery Jump
“Metra is thrilled to welcome back Lollapalooza fans from around the world as they fill our City with music and much-needed joy after the difficult year we’ve all had,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “Our added service and All-Day passes mean your transportation to and from downtown will never be more than $10. Public transit is clearly the most convenient and economic way to get to the festival.”
“With Chicago’s Grant Park serving as the epicenter of the music world for these four days, CTA reminds everyone that public transit is the fastest, most convenient and most affordable way to visit Lollapalooza and any other summer event,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “The CTA proudly provided one of the country’s most ample train and bus service for essential workers and necessary travel throughout the pandemic, and we’re proud to offer that same service to get attendees to the festival easily and comfortably.”
CTA riders can take advantage of the agency’s “More Fun, Less Fare” summer fare promotion, which offers significant discounts on the most popular multi-ride passes. The already affordable passes dropped even further--$5 for a 1-day, $15 for a 3-day; $20 for a 7-day—ideal for those attending Lollapalooza for multiple days, or attending Lollapalooza after-show concerts. CTA riders also can use Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay or any contactless credit or debit card, for pay-as-you-go rides ($2.25 for bus, $2.50 for train).
This year, Metra is offering a $10 All-Day Pass on weekdays that’s good for unlimited rides on any and all Metra lines, all day. For most trips, the All-Day Pass costs less than two one-way fares. On the weekend, riders can choose the $7 Saturday or Sunday Day Pass for unlimited travel on Saturday or Sunday. Ventra app users also can choose the $10 Weekend Pass, good for unlimited travel on both Saturday and Sunday. Concertgoers are highly encouraged to use the Ventra app for all tickets – but make sure your phone is charged.
To help conductors more quickly validate fares on trains crowded with people going to the show, Metra will suspend the onboard sale of reduced fare student tickets (which can slow conductors down) on all lines during Lollapalooza. Customers can still buy reduced fare student tickets from ticket agents and via the Ventra app. All customers are encouraged to buy their tickets before boarding trains.
Customers are asked to not bring backpacks or water bottles on Metra trains during the four-day event. Alcohol is also banned on all Metra trains during the event.
For more information on Lollapalooza service offered by Metra and CTA, visit metra.com or transitchicago.com/lollapalooza
Twitter: @metra and @cta
About Metra
Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties in northeastern Illinois. The agency provides service to and from downtown Chicago with 242 stations over 11 routes totaling nearly 500 route miles and approximately 1,200 miles of track. Metra operates nearly 700 trains and provides nearly 290,000 passenger trips each weekday.
About CTA
The CTA operates the nation's second largest public transportation system and covers the City of Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs. On an average weekday, CTA serves more than 1.5 million riders.
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