CTA also notifies customers that Illinois Medical District (IMD) Blue Line station construction work will require temporary closure of station entrance on Paulina; station’s remaining two entrances will remain open
NOTE: All CTA bus and rail service will operate on a regular Saturday schedule on Saturday, December 31. A Sunday schedule will be in effect on Sunday, January 1 and on Monday, January 2, when the New Year is a nationally observed holiday.
The Chicago Transit Authority is a convenient and affordable transit option for traveling to events around Chicago this weekend, including New Year’s Eve celebrations such as the fireworks display at Navy Pier, the Chi Town Rising countdown and celebration, as well as upcoming events at the United Center.
Free rides will be provided on CTA buses and trains beginning 10 p.m. Saturday, December 31 until 4 a.m. Sunday, January 1.
For customers traveling to and from events around Chicago this New Year’s Eve outside the free ride period, the CTA recommends purchasing fares in advance, which will decrease travel times and avoid long lines at rail station vending machines. Customers can load ahead of time transit value or unlimited ride passes (1-day, 3-day, 7-day and 30-day) to their Ventra fare cards at rail stations, online or at nearly 1,300 local retailers (locations available at ventrachicago.com). Customers can also add value to their accounts by using the Ventra App, available for free download via www.ventrachicago.com, the App Store and Google Play.
Customers should allow extra travel time when traveling to these special events.
New Year’s Eve Service
In anticipation of increased ridership due to New Year’s Eve celebrations, CTA is providing extra rail and bus service across several rail lines and bus routes.
RAIL SERVICE
Red Line: Longer trains will operate until 3 a.m. In addition, trains will operate more frequently from approximately midnight to 3:30 a.m.
Blue Line: Longer trains will operate beginning at 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. In addition, trains will operate more frequently from midnight until 3 a.m.
Green Line: Longer trains will operate beginning at 6 p.m. until end of service from Harlem and from 7 p.m. until end of service from Ashland/63rd and Cottage Grove. The last Green Line trains will depart from the Loop toward Harlem at approximately 1:38 a.m., toward 63rd/Ashland at approximately 1:25 a.m. and toward 63rd/Cottage Grove at approximately 1:40 a.m.
Brown Line: Longer trains will operate beginning at 7p.m. until end of service. The last Brown Line train from the Loop will depart at approximately 2:32 a.m.
Orange Line: Longer trains will operate from 7 p.m. until end of service. The last Orange Line train from the Loop will depart at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Yellow Line: Service will be provided until approximately 2 a.m., from Howard.
Purple Line: Service will be provided until approximately 2 a.m., from Howard. Longer trains will operate from 7:30 p.m. until end of service.
BUS SERVICE
In anticipation of increased ridership, the following bus routes will provide more frequent service and/or extended hours:
United Center Events
The CTA will operate the #19 United Center Express for customers attending the upcoming events at the United Center:
- Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.- Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets
- Friday, Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. – WGCI Big Jam
- Saturday, Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. - Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 at 7 p.m. – Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets
Bus Service:
#19 United Center Express buses will leave from Michigan and Randolph beginning approximately 1.5 hours before the start of each event.
After each event, #19 buses will operate for approximately one hour and await customers on the north side of the United Center eastbound on Madison near Gate 3.
Rail Service:
CTA’s Ashland/Lake station, served by the Green and Pink lines, is located a few blocks northeast of the United Center. Customers exiting at the station can transfer to #9 Ashland buses or simply walk a few blocks to the stadium.
Customers taking the Blue Line can get to the United Center by exiting at the Illinois Medical District station and walking a few blocks north to the United Center.
Illinois Medical District (IMD) station entrance closure – January 3 through January 13
The Paulina entrance to the Illinois Medical District (IMD) Blue Line station will be temporarily closed beginning Tuesday, January 3 until Friday, January 13 for construction work that is part of a modernization project announced in August 2016.
The station will remain open throughout the entire construction project. During that period, customers can access the station via the main entrance on Ogden Avenue or the additional auxiliary entrance on Damen Avenue.
The project will require additional entrance closures to the station in the future in order to complete the necessary work, of which CTA will notify customers.
The IMD Renovation Project is making improvements to all three entrances of the IMD station, including the complete reconstruction of the main stationhouse on Ogden Avenue to make it accessible to customers with disabilities with the addition of an elevator. For more information on the project visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/imd/.
Stay in the Loop on CTA service
Plan your trip using the Google Transit Trip Planner. Be sure to also check out CTA on Facebook or Twitter (@CTA) for system travel updates and alerts. For details about all CTA service, call 312-836-7000 or visit the CTA website at transitchicago.com.
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