Six bus routes will offer improved service starting Labor Day weekend as part of Mayor Emanuel and CTA’s plan to enhance transit service on the South Side
       
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Transit Authority President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., today announce the kickoff of more convenient and more frequent service along six bus routes on the South and Far South Sides of Chicago, as part of a package of service enhancement initiatives announced by the mayor and CTA last spring to improve transit service and attract new riders.
“This increase in bus service will mean greater access to jobs, education and opportunities for residents of the South Side,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “By providing improved and more frequent service, we help customers get to their destinations more conveniently and create a positive impact on the surrounding regional economy.”
“It is critical that we take into account the transportation needs of our entire Chicago community and ensure that residents have easy access to reliable transit,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “These service changes will help improve connections between downtown and South Side neighborhoods and provide riders with more frequent and reliable service.”
The following improvements will go into effect Sunday, September 4:
- New route: The #95 95th combines the former #95E 93rd/95th and #95W West 95th routes for a continuous, one-seat ride between 92nd/Buffalo on the east to 87th/Damen on the west. More frequent service will be provided west of 95th/State on weekdays and weekends
- #4 Cottage Grove: Some trips will be extended south of 95th to 115th Street/Cottage Grove to provide connections across 95th Street for customers along Cottage Grove
- #71 71st/South Shore: Route will offer more frequent bus service south of 73rd/South Shore to 112th/Torrence weekdays and weekends
The following improvements will go into effect Tuesday, September 6:
- #34 South Michigan: More frequent weekday midday and evening service
- #119 Michigan/119th: More frequent weekday midday and evening service
- #26 South Shore Express: Route will be extended to 103rd/Stony Island
The first planned improvements to bus and rail service on the South Side and Far South Side began June 20, when service on the #26 South Shore Express is extended into the weekday morning and evening hours.
Green Line service on the Ashland/63rd and Cottage Grove branches will offer more frequent train service during weekday morning and evening rush periods starting Monday, October 3.
CTA provides robust service options to south and far south Chicago neighborhoods, including 44 bus routes that provide more than 183,000 average weekday rides south of 63rd street.
These enhancements are the latest in a series of service improvements made by Mayor Emanuel and President Carter in the past year, including the reinstatement of the Ashland and Western Express routes; launch of Loop Link; piloting of the new #11 route segment and #31 route; and launch of a Belmont prepaid boarding pilot.
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