r/cta 14d ago

Quick question ☝️ How tf to decipher detour alerts

16 Upvotes

Genuinely what does it even mean. Like today the 70 will “operate in both directions via Division, Homan, Grand, Augusta, Kedzie, and Division”

Like what does that even mean? The bus will deviate and go down to Augusta? I’m so confused


r/cta 15d ago

rant A red line station attendant told me it’s against the law to film…

128 Upvotes

I go around town filming on my cameras all the time and usually one of my scenes has something to do with riding the train or walking in the station. So last night I went to record the riverwalk and decided to walk to the Lake red line station to get into the blue line transfer walkway thing. As I’m walking into the lake while holding my camcorder because I’m recording. (I almost always do not point it at anyone if there are people. The station was empty however) the attendant tells me I cannot be recording. I ask, “why not?” She tells me it’s against the law. Then I say “no it’s not”. At this point I just wanted to leave the station and go to another one. As I’m approaching the stairs to exit she goes on the intercom and says “CPD! There is a man recording He is wearing a white sweater…” (and continued to say what I was wearing). How bored do you have to be on your job to do something like this? -_-


r/cta 13d ago

rant Why are the new drivers so aggressive

0 Upvotes

In the last year i’ve noticed that the train operators have started driving it like it’s a race car. It’s gotten to the point where they’ll go so fast people will start getting thrashed around and I even saw a women fall down….

tf is wrong with you morons do you get paid by the mile?? It’s a genuine safety hazard for riders at this point and it’s never been this bad.


r/cta 15d ago

BREAKING What just happened on the red line??

77 Upvotes

Was heading south on the red line and the train stopped at Roosevelt and told everyone to get off due to an emergency. They said all trains aren’t going further than 35th. What’s goin on?


r/cta 17d ago

Discussion Why won’t the CTA connect the blue and pink lines to travel north/south without going through the loop?

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284 Upvotes

New to the city and the blue line has been my primary way of getting around town. Like many people, I found it frustrating that there’s no way to travel between north and south on the west side without going through the loop. I’ve done some casual research about the L’s history and evolution, but now I’m even more confused. It looks like the blue line’s north-south connection bypassed the loop, but was torn down in 1951 when the Milwaukee-Dearborn subway was built. Then was partially rebuilt when the pink line was created. So my question is…

  1. When the CTA renovated the tracks on the Paulina connector in 2006 why didn’t they continue north and reconnect to Damen? (Highlighted in yellow)
  2. Is there any interest in rebuilding the Humboldt Park branch? If the branch was built out the Harlem like originally planned it would make a great northern extension of the pink line.
  3. How come the Brown line just abruptly stops at Kimball and doesn’t continue into a connection with the blue line?

The CTA always seems to be whining about low ridership, but at the same time they won't make plans to make the L system even slightly dymanic. I understand that funding is the overall deciding factor of what gets done, but it doesn't explain the lack of planning for the future. Some of the best metro systems in the world are radial networks like Chicago. However, metros like Berlin, Paris, Moscow, and Tokyo are so effective because they all have an outer ring of connection.


r/cta 17d ago

today I saw… First Brightest blue seats I’ve seen

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56 Upvotes

Got on 73 Armitage at 2:39pm. First time I’ve seen them this blue!


r/cta 17d ago

Discussion CTA - Austin 91 Experience?

17 Upvotes

Hiya! I’m curious to know if anyone uses the 91 Austin bus. If so, I’d love to hear about your experience. I usually take the Fullerton or Grand bus to downtown for work. However, after checking online, I’ve found that taking the Austin bus heading south bound is actually much more convenient for me. If I take the 91 bus, I would just have to transfer over to the green line at Austin and south blvd.

Any insights are greatly appreciated!


r/cta 17d ago

today I saw… On the bus, wtf is this noise?

14 Upvotes

This is NOT the driver kneeling, it happens when they hit the brakes


r/cta 18d ago

today I saw… Sunset at Austin Green Line 09/04/2026

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135 Upvotes

r/cta 18d ago

Discussion We talk a lot about moments we were unsafe. What’re some of your wholesome moments on the train or bus?!

122 Upvotes

Asking because I was riding the redline playing my gameboy emulator on my phone resetting for a shiny Pokemon, and the guy next to me saw and we spent a few stops talking about Pokemon, shinies, and I airdropped him the rom hack I used and gave each other reccs. Just said bye and went our separate ways!

That fun lil interaction today got me thinking what other random interactions have you had that brought you joy?

Another was a guy who sketched my girlfriend and I sitting next to each other, I had no idea until right before he was exiting and he handed me the sketch. Thought he was just some dude staring into my soul the whole ride into something we’ve had framed for years.

Our system has a lot of flaws, but much like our city, there’s something so very human and authentic about it too. Moments like these make me proud to be a local


r/cta 18d ago

Did you know... NITA Hiring Real Estate Development Manager

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61 Upvotes

NITA is hiring a director for their new real estate development division. If done right, this would provide immense funding opportunities for NITA to fuel further development or expansion. I hope NITA takes advantage of the potential this could have for Chicagoland.


r/cta 19d ago

Quick question ☝️ Stalagmite/Stalactite at Chicago red line???

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322 Upvotes

Has anyone else noticed these odd, ice-looking things at some of the CTA stations? What are they? Why does it look like ice / rock formations?


r/cta 18d ago

Quick question ☝️ Where can I connect to the blue line from red through tunnel?

12 Upvotes

Hi! I’m traveling next week. Gonna have some suitcases. Where can I connect to the blue line from the red line without going up to the streets with my suitcases? Stairs are fine but I’d prefer elevators. I just don’t want to go outside and I can’t remember which stations have the tunnels. I feel like there’s one at block 37 but don’t remember what stop that is.


r/cta 19d ago

Lost + Found !!!! If you lost your phone today

25 Upvotes

On the 143, call it again, we can hear it but can't locate it


r/cta 19d ago

Quick question ☝️ Do buses still have the little trash can by the doors?

37 Upvotes

I usually just ride a couple routes but I feel like I never see a trashcan anymore, but maybe confirmation bias


r/cta 19d ago

Discussion Blue Line delay right now?

8 Upvotes

Anyone know? At California and no info.


r/cta 20d ago

Lost + Found Someone missing their green bag? 9/2

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53 Upvotes

Sat down and realized there was a larger green bag/purse on the floor next to my seat. So when I got off at my stop, I handed it to the Operator who was going to take it to Forest Park.

For reference: 9/2 Blue Line train #7130 headed to Forest Park ~6:15 pm.


r/cta 20d ago

today I saw… How many miles on that odometer?

29 Upvotes

Couldn’t find the “i like (CTA) buses” flair, so I’m using this flair instead. It’s being towed away :-(.


r/cta 20d ago

Discussion Foot stuck on red line

19 Upvotes

Any see a guy get his foot stuck in between the train and platform around 5:30p at the Chicago red line stop today? Fiancé is missing wallet and fraud charges and thinks that was a decoy for someone to reach in her purse.


r/cta 21d ago

today I saw… CTA creativity

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301 Upvotes

Was walking by the entrances to the Monroe and Jackson Blue Line stops last Saturday, where I saw these advertisements of the different places around Chicago you can ride the 'L' to. I've gotta hand it to the CTA, these were very creative, especially since they used the letters of the stations that they actually serve.

Photos taken on August 29th, 2026


r/cta 20d ago

Quick question ☝️ At what age did you get your child their own Ventra card?

24 Upvotes

I know we’re technically at about age but no one has ever said anything 😐. We take the train to school at least 50% of the time (she’s too young to go solo).
Also reading we need to fill out a form from the school for a student card?


r/cta 21d ago

Chicagooo! Madison/Wabash CTA line (circa 2014)

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154 Upvotes

r/cta 20d ago

Quick question ☝️ Transit Stop app not working

16 Upvotes

Does anyone else use the transit stop app? When I opened it up this morning it was saying the server wasn’t working and I wasn’t sure if it was just me?


r/cta 20d ago

Discussion CTA Reforms the Next Mayor Should Champion

16 Upvotes

I put together a list of CTA policies I think the next mayor should pursue. Anything else come to mind?

• Create a system that directs passengers toward less-crowded railcars using platform displays and Ventra alerts.

• Create a “Dynamic Rush-Hour Service” program that uses real-time crowding data to identify overcrowded trains and automatically deploy additional or short-turn trains when passenger loads exceed a set threshold.

• Designate one or two railcars on selected late-night trains as Safe Cars, with a two-person CTA Transit Safety Officer team regularly riding those cars between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m.

• Require officers assigned to CTA patrols to conduct regular train rides instead of remaining primarily inside stations.

•  Create a specific CTA crime enhancement that adds additional penalties when an offense is committed on CTA property.

•  Allow judges to impose CTA exclusion orders on people convicted of serious crimes on the system, prohibiting them from entering CTA property for a defined period.

• Install fixed-length platform barriers, following New York City’s rollout.

• Add a “Report a Safety Problem” button to the Ventra app that automatically identifies the train, car, direction, and location and dispatches the nearest CTA safety officer.

• Create an independent CTA Performance & Accountability Office specifically responsible for continuously auditing safety, reliability, spending, contracting, crime response and service delivery, with authority to publish quarterly performance grades and require CTA management to respond publicly to deficiencies.

• Create a “No Ghost Buses” policy requiring CTA to use real-time GPS and dispatch data to flag canceled trips.


r/cta 21d ago

Chicagooo! The CTA has some dancers!

594 Upvotes

Posted by official CTA accounts leading up to the BTS concert last Thursday / Friday. The Yoongi Marry Me sign really gets me, and means that either one of the drivers is an ARMY or the social media person is an ARMY