New CTA Purple Line Express Gets A Test Run
EVANSTON (CBS) -- For six weeks, CTA will test a mid-evening Purple Line Express train.
Because the city of Evanston sees possibilities with the one-seat ride away from rush hours, CTA has agreed to test the later train, but only through July 10.
In order to maintain service beyond July 10, it needs 468 riders on the round-trip.
The city of Evanston says CTA plans to do its official count on June 25.
The train, which will start running on Monday, will make all regularly-scheduled Purple Express stops.
Highlights of its schedule include:
Linden - 7:58 p.m.
Davis - 8:05
Howard - 8:12
Belmont - 8:29
Fullerton - 8:34
Clark/Lake - 8:48
Adams/Wabash - 8:54
Washington/Wells - 9:00
Fullerton - 9:15
Belmont - 9:20
Howard - 9:37
Davis - 9:44
Linden - 9:50 p.m.
Evanston Express stops and schedules have undergone countless changes over the years.
In the 1920s and again between 1955 and 1957, it even ran "Shoppers' Specials" that catered to midday shoppers from the northern suburbs.
But until now, CTA has never run an express trip that completed its scheduled run from the Loop as late as 9:50 p.m.
City officials in Evanston said they plan a number of events to try to stimulate ridership, and are teaming up with local businesses and community groups.
The events include restaurant specials, dancing, a wine walk and a scavenger hunt.
