Public transit commuters will be able to add a little bit of Christmas cheer to their commute as CTA’s holiday train and bus make their returns later this month.
The special train will be illuminated with bright and colorful lights for the 33rd year as Santa Claus greets riders — young and old — from a flatbed.
“We’re proud to continue this cherished holiday tradition that brings joy to riders of all ages,” CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. said in a press release. “The Allstate CTA Holiday Train and Bus are more than festive decorations — they are a unique Chicago holiday tradition that celebrates the goodwill of this city, and the hard work of CTA employees who are committed to making everyone’s holidays a little brighter.”
The colorful six-car train will run on all eight lines, starting on the Green and Orange Lines Nov. 29 and concluding on the Yellow Line on Dec. 23.
Green Line:
Friday, Nov. 29 Saturday, Nov. 30 Tuesday, Dec. 3
Orange Line:
Friday, Nov. 29Saturday, Nov. 30 Tuesday, Dec. 3 to Saturday, Dec. 7
Brown Line:
Wednesday, Dec. 4 Thursday, Dec. 5Friday, Dec. 6 Saturday, Dec. 7
Pink Line:
Tuesday, Dec. 10 Wednesday, Dec. 11Saturday, Dec. 14
Blue Line:
Thursday, Dec. 12Friday, Dec. 13Saturday, Dec. 14
Red Line:
Tuesday, Dec. 17 Thursday, Dec. 19 Saturday, Dec. 21
Purple Line:
Wednesday, Dec. 18Friday, Dec. 20 Saturday, Dec. 21
Yellow Line:
Monday, Dec. 23
Beyond spreading merriment, the trains will continue the tradition of delivering food baskets to local charitable organizations, the CTA said in a press release.
Beginning Nov. 26, the Allstate CTA holiday bus will broadcast festive music and showcase XX artwork and decorations along 17 bus routes.
Each year, CTA partners with local Chicago students from a selected school to develop artwork for the interior of the bus.
This year, the agency partnered with Catalyst Maria Elementary School, 6727 S California Ave., to display artwork created by students in kindergarten through 8th grade, CTA said.
The full bus schedule can be found on CTA’s website.
Metra’s seasonal trains will return beginning Nov. 30 across six lines.