Share this post: Become the ultimate urban explorer and tour Chicago by ‘L’ train, part of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Click to open menu Click to go to the Chicago Transit Authority homepage Click to open search. The oldest series is the 2600-series which was built between 1981 and 1987 and refurbished between 1999 and 2002. You can purchase a $3 version of the ticket, good for one ride and up to two transfers (the remaining balance is a fee). You may also encounter people selling cigarettes (“loose squares”), candy bars, or other small items. If you rode the Red Line end to end in designer clothes with your laptop out and holding your phone, it’s probably still not likely you’d be a victim of a crime, but the odds are much higher than if you didn’t do those things–so, you know, DON’T! ... ‘L’ train route info & schedules. The Loop is the 1.79-mile long circuit of elevated rail that forms the hub of the Chicago "L" system in the United States. Collect the CTA Lines: Brown, Blue, Red, Pink, Green, Yellow, CTA Spirit of Chicago, and CTA Holiday Train($3 from every holiday train sale is going to charity) Availability. The system began as three separate companies, … Chicago L Information. The color combinations identify trains of each route to towermen, supervisors, and other employees. The second series is the 3200-series, built between 1992 … Now we want to talk about fares (how much the train costs) and how you can pay for your rides. It is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which also runs the city's bus system. There are emergency intercoms on the platforms, but they’re often not very well-marked. If you have a bank card that can be used to “tap to pay,” or if you have Apple Pay or Android Pay on your phone, you can use that. Those three lines—the Red Line, the Blue Line, and the Green Line, are the three lines that visit significant chunks of the city. The disposable Ventra tickets can be purchased at any L station with cash or credit card. Enter the station and pay fare. Operating days this week: everyday. See wooden trailers and steel cars in operation around the system, images of the North Shore Electroliners that shared the tracks and the CTA's most modern rolling stock in operation, plus behind-the-scenes yard pictures. Once you’ve purchased your ticket or pass, all payments to ride the L are made by tapping a physical card or ticket (covered next) on a Ventra Terminal. While both CTA and Pace Buses take cash, you need to use another method (ticket, card, contactless payment) in order to transfer to or from the bus. Want to see if there’s another route that gets you there at an earlier time? That ticket would allow you two transfers. This is the only car that has an actual person of authority in it who can quickly alert the police to any crime. Even though we covered the Green Line first because it spans so much of the city, the Brown Line is actually the third most popular in the city by passenger count. Don’t just exit onto a strange platform at night. After a segment downtown, it heads straight west along Interstate 290, passing by UIC, the Illinois Medical District, and two suburbs—Oak Park and Forest Park—terminating in the latter. You’ll need a separate ticket anytime you want to use Amtrak. Up and Down arrows will open main tier menus and toggle through sub tier links. Fourth, tap your ticket / card / device at the turnstile, and go through. Today, Chicago is the only city in the U.S. that still has elevated trains in its downtown area. The Blue Line is the system’s longest line at nearly 27 miles. The CTA offers both train and bus service throughout the City of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. In case someone is bothering or harassing you, there are a few options. Chicago uses a single turnstile system with a fixed fare. One branch heads east, ending just south of Hyde Park at Cottage Grove. Line status. Also, don't run on platforms. Taking the train, you tap, the terminal gives you a positive “ding” and visually indicates “Go,” and you walk through the turnstile. It does not go as far south as the Red Line, though. There are eight L train lines: Red Line, Blue Line, Green Line, Brown Line, Orange Line, Pink Line, Purple Line, Yellow Line. Please allow 1-12 weeks for shipment after payment has been received. These trains run two ways, and whenever you are taking a train, you need to know the direction you need to go. If you’re standing, use your hand to hold onto a rail. Markers are colored lights displayed on the front of "L" trains. And so the first 'L' train (then Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad) was built in 1892, and its inaugural journey took place on June 6, spanning 3.6 miles in 14 minutes. Download this stock image: Chicago L Train at night. Part 2 helps you navigate downtown Chicago. Share this post: Become the ultimate urban explorer and tour Chicago by ‘L’ train, part of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Well, sort of, more on that in a bit. In Chicago news publications, it is variously written ‘L’, “L”, and L but never El, and this is generally the case in other publications writing about the Chicago trains. Pictured is a conductor car and two passenger cars. Look around most CTA stations and on trains and you’ll see tons of cameras. Not bad for $2.25 fare! Numbers related to rankings of top 50 most dangerous L stops. Disposable tickets are not reloadable. And truthfully, I’m a little torn about how to handle it on this site. The second series is the 3200-series, built between 1992 and 1994 and refurbished between 2015 and 2018. When waiting on your train, don’t stand on the blue at the edge of the platform. The Red Line is the backbone of Chicago transit. When in doubt, sit in the front train car near the conductor. The system has a total track length of 165.4 km (102.8 miles) and is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority. Second, there are plenty of places worth going that are only “98% safe” to get to–whatever that means. Well you're in luck, because here they come. See wooden trailers and steel cars in operation around the system, images of the North Shore Electroliners that shared the tracks and the CTA's most modern rolling stock in … The Blue Line is the second most popular train line in the city. For those who haven’t been to Chicago, the L train, short for elevated subway, get people where they need to go throughout the city. It is the center of business activity for the city and home to many tourist attractions. One way to pay for an L ride is to use a disposable Ventra ticket. The official source for information on Chicago’s L train system is the CTA, which has a website through this link. If you’re coming from out of town, this would be the line you’ll take from O’Hare International Airport into the city. Started at Washington & Wells station and got off at Clark & Lake. You’re not being cool or daring, you’re just ensuring that the approaching train has to travel very slowly, sending waves through the transit system that impact the commute of millions of people. There are 451 chicago l train for sale on Etsy, and they cost $18.96 on average. Information about CTA bus and train service in and around Chicago. While it isn’t quite as prevalent as New York City, you’ll often encounter strange behaviors, like yelling, on the L. This reasoning is a bit circular, but as long as the behavior is non-threatening you don’t need to concern yourself with it. Changing train cars (preferably to the front one) at the next stop is another option. You'll love the 'Chicago L Train' by Joel Anderson - Unframed Advertisement Print on Paper at Wayfair.co.uk - Great Deals on all Home Décor products. The Red Line operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Trains serve over 140 stations located throughout the city and nearby suburbs, on elevated railways, in subways, or on the ground. The CTA system map indicates free transfers that require a fare card with the dashed black and white lines circled above. Metra trains are “commuter trains.” That is, they’re designed to primarily serve people who live in the far reaches of the city or outside the city. Arriving downtown, the Green Line makes a right turn along the Loop tracks before heading south, past McCormick Place, Illinois Institute of Technology, Bronzeville, and Washington Park. You can see it on the above map that shows the Red Line, Red Line Rush Service, and Green Line on the South Side. There are a few different transfers you can make when riding the Chicago L. We’re going to break these into transfers between L trains and transfers to/from L trains from/to other types of transit. The CTA offers both train and bus service throughout the City of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Chicago’s main train system is colloquially referred to as “the L.” It consists of eight train lines—Red, Blue, Green, Brown, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Yellow. The Yellow Line runs from Howard into Skokie (a suburb), making two Skokie stops at Dempster and Oakton. First, figure out where you need to go and make sure you need to take the L. Use Google Maps. Finally, head up to the platform and get on the train. If you’re alone on a train at 4AM and someone approaches you with no warning and says “got any money?” you’re likely being threatened. Regardless of whether you’re talking about a subway or elevated section, though, you can refer to “taking the L.”. When exiting, you can politely say excuse me or just say loudly “comin’ out!” If you choose the latter, make sure you’re not doing it at a stop where everyone is exiting or you’ll look like a real toolbox. 'L' train fare from O'Hare Deducted on entry at O'Hare station, only, from Ventra transit account using Ventra Card or via contactless Pay-As-You-Go payment methods. In 1947, the system went public and underwent many changes before taking on its present form. Pretty much, you can guarantee that everyone is at high risk for petty crime, like pickpocketing, and incredibly low risk for being a random victim of a violent crime between sunrise and sunset. Louvre Chicago Train Chicago Train Because most of us who have lived in the city for years are comfortable–sometimes to a fault–you’re likely to see trains filled with people who ignore every tip in this section. This post is, to the best of our knowledge, accurate as of the date of publication. On an average weekday, 749,700 passengers ride the "L", making it the second-busiest rapid transit system in the United States, behind the New York City Subway. In those cases, you need to make sure you have your original ticket / card / contactless payment method so that you can get into the second station. Stand clear of the platform edge. The Blue Line offers 24 hour service with more frequent service during weekday morning and evening rush hours. I don’t fully understand the purpose of this line. CTA Chicago 'L' Train # CTATRAINS. For its “northern” portion (that is, from the city to Oak Park), it runs parallel to the (southern portion of the) Blue Line, just a bit north. The L provides access to almost all of the city, and virtually no Chicagoan who has ever left the house hasn’t ridden the L. In this guide, we hope to cover everything you need to know to successfully ride the L. This post is written mostly for tourists and Chicago newbies, but we have no doubt some locals could use a refresher. Chicago L Train. Part 1 covers Chicago's grid system and how you can use it to find your way around. Maps are posted in each railcar to help you plan your trip. Exit through the middle, allowing people to board from the sides. The oldest series is the 2600-series which was built between 1981 and 1987 and refurbished between 1999 and 2002. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Train directions are clearly indicated on the platform and via marquees on the trains themselves. Hello and welcome to a video all about Chicago's "L" Subway System! Some use two platforms with the two trains on the outside (make sure you go to the proper platform). Do not lean on or hug the vertical rails. If someone says “I’m taking the train to XYZ,” it’s reasonable to ask “Metra or CTA?” or “Metra or the L?” While most every destination in Chicago can easily be reached via some combination of CTA transit (the L and buses), it will sometimes be faster to take a Metra train. There are basically two components to the Purple Line. History of the L. Beginning in the 1870s, as Chicago grew at an incredibly rapid pace, private companies laid rail tracks downtown and began introducing streetcars pulled by horses. Title: To The L Artist: Jessica Remus Available in sizes 5x5 - 20x20 (select from upper right dropdown menu) This photo goes great paired together with Wednesday Morning (see other listing) This black and white photograph was taken in Chicagos The Brown Line travels between the Loop and the northwest part of the city, filling the gap between the Red Line (straight north) and the Blue Line (northwest to O’Hare). 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