Chicago is the largest City (with a City Population of 2.8 million residents, and Metro Area commonly known as “Chicagoland” of an estimated 9.7 million) in the State of Illinois, and the 3rd. most populous in the USA. Chicago was founded in 1833, and today, the City retains its status as a major hub, both for industry and infrastructure, with O’Hare International Airport handling more passengers than any other airport in the world. In 2008, the City hosted 45.6 Million Domestic & Overseas Visitors.
The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) operates an extensive network of busses, and a rapid transit Elevated and Subway System known as the Chicago ‘L’ (for Elevated), 144 Stations, with lines designated by colours. These Rapid Transit Lines also serve both Midway & O’Hare Airports. The CTA rail lines consist of the Red (24 Hour); Blue (24 Hour); Green; Orange; Brown; Purple; Pink and Yellow. Having some 24 Hour Service, makes Chicago one of the few world cities to provide such Subway service.
Subway Fares can only be paid using a Ventra (Disposable) Single Ride (US$2.50) or 1 Day Ticket (US$10.00) or Ventra Reloadable) Card. Single Ride (US$1.25). 1-Day CTA Pass (US$10.00), 3-Day CTA Pass (US$20.00), & 7-Day CTA Pass (US$28.00).Ventra Tickets & Cards are sold on-line (www.ventrachicago.com) at all Rail Stations, Currency Exchanges, Walgreens & CVS, and from Vending Machines at select CTA Stations (O’Hare on the Blue Line; Midway on the Orange Line and Chicago on the Red Line) as well as a variety of 1,000 Chicago retail outlets.
Hours of Operation (+ + Varied times within some Lines-Check at Local Station or via Website):
Blue & Red Lines – 24 Hours a Day
Brown Line + + – Weekdays & Saturday: 4:00 a.m. to 2:20 a.m.; Sunday: 5:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Green Line + + – Weekdays: 3:50 a.m. to 1:05 a.m.; Saturday: 4:50 a.m. to 1:05 a.m. Sunday:5:00 a.m. to 1.05a.m.
Orange Line + + - Weekdays: 3:30 a.m. to 1:25 a.m.; Saturday: 4:00 a.m. to 1:25 a.m.; Sunday: 4:30 a.m. to 1:25am
Pink Line + +- Weekdays: 4:00 a.m. to 1:25 a.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 5:00 a.m. to 1.25 a.m.
Purple Line + + - Weekdays: 4:25 a.m. to 2:10 a.m.; Saturday: 5:05 a.m. to 2:15 a.m.; Sunday 6:05 a.m. to 1:45 a.m.
Yellow Line + + - Weekday: 4:45 a.m. to 11:15 p.m.; Saturday/Sunday/Holidays: 6:15 a.m. to 11:15 p.m.
Further information in English is available from: www.transitchicago.com or by Phone: (1-312) 836-7000
The International Telephone Country Code of the United States is 1, followed by the main Area Code for Chicago which is 312. Access to 1-800, 866, or 888 Area Codes are usually Toll-Free when dialing anywhere in North America.
March 22, 2020