CTA Continues 25-Year Tradition With Holiday Train And Bus
CHICAGO (CBS) – The CTA Holiday Train returns Friday, Nov. 25 to continue a 25-year tradition that is unique to Chicago.
In celebration of its 25-year milestone, the CTA Holiday Train welcomes a new companion, The Elves' Workshop Train that will follow the Holiday Train on Saturdays. The Elves' Workshop Train will be just a decorated as the Holiday Train with thousands of colorful lights, garland, bows and festive winter scenes. The CTA chose to launch the second holiday train "to help ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy this festive holiday experience and tradition."
The CTA Holiday Bus will also join the CTA holiday offering, also decorated from top to bottom. The CTA Holiday Bus will begin service on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
"The CTA Holiday Train and Bus are iconic Chicago traditions that are enjoyed by thousands every year," said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. "We're pleased to expand on that strong Chicago tradition by offering the new Elves' Workshop Train, which will allow even more customers to experience this unique holiday happening."
All three of the CTA's festive transits will be staffed by Santa's elves, who will greet passengers with candy canes. The Holiday Train will also offer an open flat car carrying Santa and his sleigh.
The Holiday Train will eventually run on all eight rail lines and the Holiday Bus will run on 13 bus routes throughout the city. Customers can tack the whereabouts of the Holiday Train and Bus by using CTA Train Tracker, which will show a candy cane next to the estimated arrival time; and the dedicated Holiday Bus Tracker.
Here is the full Holiday Train and Holiday Bus schedule:
2016 CTA Holiday Train Schedule:
(* Elves' Workshop Train following the Holiday Train)
Saturday, Nov. 19 – Red Line – special service from 4:40 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 25 – Green & Orange Lines
Saturday, November 26 – Green Line*
Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Green and Orange Lines
Wednesday, Nov. 30 – Orange and Brown Lines
Thursday, Dec. 1 – Orange and Brown Lines
Friday, Dec. 2 – Orange and Brown Lines
Saturday, Dec. 3 – Orange and Brown Lines *
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Pink Line
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Pink Line
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Blue Line
Friday, Dec. 9 – Blue Line
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Blue Line*
Tuesday, Dec. 13 – Red Line
Wednesday, Dec.14 – Purple Line
Thursday, Dec. 15 – Red Line
Friday, Dec. 16 – Purple Line
Saturday, Dec. 17 – Red and Purple Lines*
Thursday, Dec. 22 – Purple Line Express
Friday, Dec. 23 – Yellow Line
2016 CTA Holiday Bus Schedule:
Tuesday, Nov. 29 -- No. 56 Milwaukee
Wednesday, Nov. 30 -- No. 56 Milwaukee
Thursday, Dec. 1 -- No. 91 Austin
Friday, Dec. 2 -- No. 22 Clark
Saturday, Dec. 3 -- No. 22 Clark/ No. 97 Skokie
Tuesday, Dec. 6 -- No. 66 Chicago
Wednesday, Dec. 7 -- No. 66 Chicago
Thursday, Dec. 8 -- No. 12 Roosevelt
Friday, Dec. 9 -- No. 12 Roosevelt
Saturday, Dec. 10 -- No. 126 Jackson
Tuesday, Dec. 13 -- No. 29 State
Wednesday, Dec. 14 -- No. 29 State
Thursday, Dec. 15 -- No. 28 Stony Island
Friday, Dec. 16 -- No. 62 Archer
Saturday, Dec. 17 -- No. 62 Archer
Tuesday, Dec. 20 -- No. X49 Western Exp.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 -- No. 79 79th
Thursday, Dec. 22 -- No. 3 King Drive
Friday, Dec. 23 -- No. 3 King Drive