Chicago Transit Authority
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is a mass transportation service that provides both the bus and rail service to the people of Chicago and surrounding areas. Being founded in the year 1947, since then the Chicago Transit Authority delivers quality, affordable transit services that link people, jobs and communities. Again, this independent governmental agency was created by state legislation. In fact, it is the nation's second largest public transit system that operates and covers the City of Chicago and 40 surrounding suburbs. According to the statistics, on an average week day nearly 1.5 million rides are taken on the CTA. However, in the year 1952 CTA became the sole operator Chicago transportation by purchasing the Chicago Motor Coach system. The Chicago Transit Authority has prominent railway lines which are discussed below.
The Red Line: The Red Line run by the Chicago Transit Authority is a part of the Chicago ‘L’ system and is the CTA’s busiest rail way line. Being a heavy rail line in Chicago the Red line serves more than 190,000 passengers each weekday for about 23.4 miles long along with 37 stations. The Red Line’s service extends from Rogers Park on the City Limits north, through downtown Chicago, and to Roseland on the south. Further, the line extends itself southeasterly on an elevated bank to about a half-mile west of the lakefront to Touchy Avenue and then takes a southern turn along Glenwood Avenue to Morse station. Then the route moves to and fro from the east to Sheridan Road and continues southerly parallel to Broadway Avenue to the east and follows Broadway to Leland Avenue.
The Orange Line: The Orange Line run by the Chicago Transit Authority as a part of the ‘L’ system is also called as the Midway Line. The Line was the first all-new rapid transit service in Chicago since the Dan Ryan Line opened in September 1969 and was opened on October 31, 1993. Again, it was the first extension to the CTA system since the O'Hare Airport Extension of the Blue Line in September 1984. However, the line is a heavy rail line in Chicago, Illinois and runs approximately 12.5 miles long. The Line serves the Southwest Side of Chicago and connects Midway Airport with downtown Chicago in about 30 minutes.
The Yellow Line: The Yellow Line run by Chicago Transit Authority is a part of the 'L' rail system in Chicago, Illinois. The Line unlike other lines does not go to Chicago's Loop and is the only line to do so. Moreover, the Yellow line is unique among others as it runs in a below-grade trench for part of its length. The line runs from the Howard Street terminal to the Skokie station at Dumpster Street in Skokie, Illinois covering a five-mile route. Being a non-stop shuttle service the Yellow line stops only at Howard and Skokie and allows its passengers to transfer to the other Lines of the CTA such as Purple or Red line. Trains only run Monday through Friday, serving 2800 riders daily.
The Green Line: The Green Line run by Chicago Transit Authority is a part of the rapid transit system known as the Chicago 'L'. However, the majority of the line is an elevated two-track system and runs approximately 20 miles long with 23 stations. The green line starts at Forest Park and runs east towards the city on an embankment parallel to Metra's Union Pacific West Line tracks from the Harlem Avenue terminal to a point east of Central Avenue. Moreover, its operation is limited to Lake Street and Wabash Avenue sides and does not use the Wells Street and Van Buren Street legs of the Loop.
The blue line: The Blue Line run by Chicago Transit Authority is a part of the Chicago 'L' rail system and consists of a 19.5 mile trunk line which extends through Chicago's Loop from O'Hare International Airport at the far northwest end of the city. However, the route runs to a full length of 34.6 miles with a total of 44 stations. In fact the Blue Line is one among the only two routes on the CTA rail system that presently run 24 hours a day and the other being the Red line. Formerly, the Blue Line was called as the West-Northwest route or as the O'Hare-Congress-Douglas route for its three branches. The Blue Line platform at O'Hare International Airport provides accessibility to people with disabilities while others are equipped with elevators from O'Hare International Airport to downtown Chicago.
The Purple Line: The Purple Line run by the Chicago Transit Authority is a part of the Chicago 'L' network and runs a 3.9 mile rapid transit line on the northernmost section of the network. Further, the line extends south from the Wilmette terminal at Linden Avenue, passing through Evanston to Howard Street, on Chicago's northern city limits. The line operates on weekdays from 4am to 1am, in Saturdays from 5am to 2am, and in Sundays from 6am to 1am. They also provide an extended service of another 10.3 miles south from Howard Street to downtown Chicago during weekday rush hours there by making all local stops to the Loop. However, the Purple Line helps the people in reaching Northwestern University and the Bahá'í House of Worship.
The Brown Line: The Brown Line run by the Chicago Transit Authority is a part of ‘L’ rail system in Chicago and is an 11.4 mile route with 19 stations between Albany Park on the north and downtown Chicago. In fact, it is an integral part of the fabric of the city that needs renovation and modernization to continue the service for the growing population. The line is one of CTA’s busiest rail lines and runs completely above ground. The brown line has been providing service between downtown and Chicago's Northwest Side, offering convenient transportation to downtown businesses and local retail stores. It serves more than 61,000 passengers each weekday. It operates to the Loop weekdays and Saturdays from about 5am to 12:30am and on Sundays from 7am to midnight.
The Pink Line: The Pink Line is the name of a new rapid transit service to be operated by the Chicago Transit Authority in Chicago, Illinois for a trial period of 180 days. However, the line is planned to reroute most service from what is now the Cermak Branch of the Blue Line through the currently non-revenue Pauline Connector and the Green Line on Lake Street to reach and circle the Chicago Loop.
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