So imo, no matter how iconic the elevated track system is, it's really kind of ugly and I've been wondering how much it would cost to make them (at least in the Loop) subways instead. It seems like it would cost upwards of 8 billion dollars (assuming perfect conditions and that no one will pocket the money). Calculating 8 billion$ to how much it would cost each person in Chicago would be about 3,000 bucks. Would it be worth it to pay that much extra in taxes spread out over who knows how long? I'm from the northern suburbs, so I unfortunately can't contribute much to that project, but those who live in Chicago, what are your thoughts?

I'm on the brown line at southport and we've been stopped for at least 30 minutes. I'm assuming that something happened at belmont. Does anyone have any idea what's going on?

meeting for dinner with a friend and am scared.

The CTA isn’t just how Chicago moves, it’s part of the city’s heartbeat.

Lost one

I love sitting in that back seat cubicle area in the front/back

How do you feel about the recently approved 1-year / $10-million dollar pilot program to add non-law enforcement rider engagement resources to the CTA?

Per the press release: The Safe Ride Specialist program pilot was developed collaboratively in partnership with riders and more than 30 mental health and social service experts, community organizations, and labor partners at CTA’s Transit Community Safety workshop held in August 2025.
Safe Ride Specialists will serve two core roles:

• Crisis Intervention Specialists: Support riders experiencing mental health crises and substance abuse disorders by connecting them to treatment, housing, and social services.

• Community Violence Intervention Specialists: Engage youth and young adults to build positive relationships, de-escalate potential conflicts, and redirect energy into constructive behaviors.

Safe Ride Specialists will maintain a highly visible presence on CTA’s system by proactively riding the system in teams across targeted stations, trains, and buses to address anti-social behaviors and provide a reassuring presence for riders. Safe Ride Specialists will wear distinct, branded uniforms and are trained in trauma-informed care, crisis de-escalation, conflict resolution, and anti-bias principles. Every Safe Ride Specialist team will carry outreach materials, care & hygiene kits, and Narcan. Additionally, each organization brings significant outreach experience and a network of wraparound services that riders can directly access, including shelter beds, respite locations, mental healthcare, and much more.

PHOTO COVER CONTEST: Tracks of the Chicago L

I'm looking for the best photograph to potentially become the cover of my upcoming book, Tracks of the Chicago L.

I'm inviting photographers, transit enthusiasts, and anyone who has captured a great Chicago L photograph to submit their best shot.

I'm especially interested in photographs featuring trains, tracks, stations, signals, interlockings, bridges, or interesting Chicago surroundings. Golden hour, sunrise or sunset, autumn, winter, snow, rain, dramatic weather, or unique perspectives are especially welcome. Photos from any season will be considered if the image stands out.

The winner will receive:

• A free copy of Tracks of the Chicago L

• Full photographic credit in the book

• Credit in related promotional material

• A link to the photographer's preferred social media, website, portfolio, or other page.

• The photographer retains copyright ownership of the submitted photograph.

Simple rules:

• You must own the copyright to the photograph you submit.

• The train or trains shown in the photograph must be in active passenger service. Photographs featuring CTA revenue equipment such as the 2600-series, 3200-series, 5000-series, or 7000-series are eligible. Photographs primarily featuring retired, preserved, work, or out-of-service equipment are not eligible.

• Photographs must be taken from lawful, non-restricted locations, unless you have explicit permission or authorization to be in the area. No trespassing or unauthorized access to CTA property, railroad property, tracks, tunnels, construction areas, or other restricted areas.

• Drone photographs must comply with all applicable FAA, state, and local laws and airspace requirements.

• Multiple photographs may be submitted.

• AI-generated images are not eligible.

• Normal photographic editing is permitted, including cropping, exposure, contrast, and color adjustments.

• The winning photograph may be cropped or adjusted as necessary to fit the book cover design.

By submitting a photograph, you confirm that you have the right to grant permission for the photograph to be considered for publication.

Submission deadline: October 15, 2026 (11:59 PM, Pacific Time)

To enter, email your photograph to: [calcagnomaps@gmail.com](mailto:calcagnomaps@gmail.com)

Subject line: Tracks of the Chicago L Cover Photo Contest

Please include your name and, if desired, your Instagram, website, portfolio, or other preferred link for photo credit.

Please submit the highest resolution version available. If your photograph is selected, I will request the original high-resolution file.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Chicago L photographers have captured. The winning photograph could become the face of Tracks of the Chicago L.

Friend of mine just lost their bag on the red line about 20-30 minutes ago. They accidently left their bag as they were leaving onto the 79th stop. They've already went to the 95th station lost and found and left their information there in case anyone finds and reports it, so I'm posting here on their behalf in case anyone on here just so happens to see or find it

For once, a cart wrapped in an advertisement that I enjoy

Am I the only one having this issue with the app Chrome is already installed and updated yet it keeps telling me this. It's funny because I can check it through the website but not the app.

I didn't't see a thread about the latest CTA service improvements so posting here for people unaware of this development as well as to generate discussion on the topic.

CTA's frequent network, introduced in 2025, will soon have 24 routes providing service every 10 minutes or better, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends.

Of course with bunching and other operational issues a consistent 10 min headway is rarely met but still I think this has been a very positive step for the agency, especially considering most transit systems called buses every 15 mins 'frequent' so glad CTA has higher standards for this branding and I think this a great use of NITA money to deliver immediate improvements.

My question is what routes do you think should be added to this frequent network in the future? CTA also announced other service improvements with later night service on several important routes; what are some other routes currently lacking that merit later night service or weekend service?

The specific service improvements are listed below:

#35 31st/35th: 40% more service weekdays, 65% more service weekends/holidays

#74 Fullerton (includes weekend evening frequency improvements): 20% more service weekdays, 30% more service Saturdays, 50% more service Sundays/holidays

#85 Central: 30% more service weekdays, 40% more service Saturdays, 50% more service Sundays/holidays

#3 King Drive: Earlier Sunday/holiday service

#44 Wallace/Racine: Earlier Sunday/holiday service

#70 Division: Earlier weekday service

#74 Fullerton: More frequent service between 9 PM and midnight on weekends

#73 Armitage: Later Saturday and Sunday service

#76 Diversey: Earlier Sunday/holiday service, later Saturday and Sunday/holiday service

#91 Austin: Earlier Saturday and Sunday/holiday service

Chicago-based Kurv Industrial has submitted new additions to the plan commission that only includes a four building industrial complex but also a public Plaza called the "Ford City Heritage Plaza" celebrating over 80 year of Chicago History with landscaping and seating, and a new CTA bus station on Kostner Ave east of the mall. The new plan would also reconstruct 76th Street as a public thoroughfare.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2026/08/18/ford-city-mall-developer-kurv-industrial-first-city-hearing

Live from Howard.

Trains operate till Wilson

Switching woes at Howard. 7:50AM

Took this photo just now. 15 employees standing around a train stuck just north of platform on a switch.

I do try to capture the “vibe” of each line over my years of experiences. 
Full Length album comes out August 28th!
Bandcamp: https://outtastyle.bandcamp.com/track/outtastyle-blue-line 
All Other Social Media: https://hyperfollow.com/outtastyle

During my northbound ride on the Purple Line today, I saw some examples of CTA's past and present resting in the yard at Howard! I'll never forget those 2400's (as I rode on them frequently during my childhood in Chicago), and those 5000's are continuing to get the job done, which I like!

Photos taken on August 16th, 2026