Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/01/2017
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location
Daley Plaza
Category(ies)
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Chicago Transit Authority will celebrate its 70th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 1, when in 1947 the public agency first began as owner and operator of what is today’s CTA bus and ‘L’ train service. To mark the occasion and to thank customers for a great 70 years, CTA will host a celebration in Daley Plaza that day for customers and transit fans.
The 70th anniversary festivities will include live music by local artists who perform on CTA subway platforms; vintage bus and train rides on CTA’s Heritage Fleet around the Loop; face-painting and memento giveaways; and an appearance by the most recognizable voice to CTA customers, ‘L’ train announcer Lee Crooks.
CTA is the second largest transit system in the U.S. After its creation by the Illinois General Assembly to consolidate several private transit companies that ran various transit services in Chicago, CTA began the operation of the city’s buses, streetcars and trains on Oct. 1, 1947. Today, CTA carries about 1.6 million riders on an average weekday.
“One of the things that makes Chicago one of the most famous and appealing cities in the world is the CTA and our iconic ‘L’ elevated train,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “In commemorating our 70th year as public servants serving Chicago for 70 years, I am proud of CTA’s important role in everyday lives of Chicagoans and I thank all of our customers for taking transit today and for the next 70 years.”
The 70th anniversary event is open to the public. Customers can explore vintage CTA buses parked on Daley Plaza and visit the CTA’s Community Connection Bus, a special bus that provides information about CTA and offers visitors a chance to win prizes and CTA gifts.
Additionally, CTA has already begun selling commemorative paper CTA tickets for single rides ($3, with up to two transfers within two hours of the start of a trip) and 1-day unlimited ride passes ($10) at Ventra vending machines at several rail stations.
CTA’s 70th Anniversary details
Date: Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington
Transit: Accessible via Brown, Pink, Green, Red, Blue, Orange Lines
Bus routes J14, #20, #22, #24, #36, #56, #60, #62, #124,#151
Cost: Event is free; normal fares apply for Heritage Train and Bus rides.
Rides on CTA’s Heritage Fleet
CTA for a limited period on Sunday, Oct. 1, will offer rides to the public on vintage CTA trains and buses.
CTA Bus 8499 (built 1960)
10:50 a.m. to 1 p.m.
12-minute round-trips starting at Dearborn/Washington to the West Loop.
*Customers will need to obtain free special tickets ahead of time by visiting the CTA’s Community Connection Bus that will be parked at Daley Plaza at 9:30 a.m. The first 150 people will get a free commemorative ticket to be the first riders; after that, anyone can board at Dearborn/Washington and will not need a ticket to ride.
**Bus 301, built 1962, and Bus 3706, built in 1969, will be parked on Daley Plaza for visitors to explore.
4000-series trains (two cars — built 1923)
10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
15-minute non-stop round-trips boarding at Clark/Lake
*Customers will need to obtain free special tickets ahead of time by visiting the CTA’s Community Connection Bus that will be parked at Daley Plaza at 9:30 a.m. The first 150 people will get commemorative tickets to be the first riders to board at Clark/Lake. Customers will need to pay a regular CTA fare to enter the station; after that, anyone can board at Clark/Lake and will pay a regular CTA fare.
B-roll of CTA vintage Heritage Fleet 4000-series and 2400-series trains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMGqvn6DykQ&feature=youtu.be
2400-series trains (built 1976-1978)
10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The CTA 2400-series train will follow the 4000-series trains. Customers do not need a special ticket to ride. Customers can board the 2400-series at Clark/Lake for a regular CTA fare.
*Customers pay regular fares at Clark/Lake; no special ticket required.
CTA has been celebrating its anniversary with customers throughout 2017. Earlier this year, CTA launched its popular Instagram account, @ChicagoCTA, to showcase historical CTA photos, many of them rarely seen. The popular account quickly drew more than 4,000 followers. CTA also celebrated the 125th anniversary of the ‘L’ on June 6, 2017, when the first elevated train line was built in 1892 between Congress and 39thStreet, ahead of the World’s Fair the following year.
For more information about CTA’s 70th anniversary, visit our web site at http://www.transitchicago.com/cta70/.
Source: Alderman Walter Burnett’s 27th Ward Newsletter 10/28/17
