CTA Plans 24-Hour Orange Line Service to Midway Airport
Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen announced that the Chicago Transit Authority will use part of the $1.5 billion mass transit bailout from Springfield to introduce 24-hour service on the Orange Line to Midway Airport. The plan includes improving both the frequency and the cleanliness of buses and trains across the system.
“We’re going to look to expand our Orange Line service to 24-hour service overnight. We’ve been looking at that for a long time, hoping to expand our Orange Line service to reach Midway Airport at all hours and continue to make the CTA and Chicago the economic engine that it is,” Leerhsen told the Sun-Times.
Expansion of the Frequent Bus Network
The proposal also calls for an increase in the Frequent Bus Network from 20 to 30 routes. These routes will continue to operate at intervals of ten minutes or less between 6 a.m. and evening hours to provide reliable citywide access.
Enhanced Sanitation and Shorter Headways
To speed up post-pandemic recovery and attract more riders, the CTA plans to conduct more frequent deep cleaning of buses and rail stations. Shorter headways — the time gap between trains or buses — are also part of the modernization effort.
The $1.5 billion bailout has been described as a transformational boost for mass transit in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Funding and Future Outlook
This initiative, supported by state funding, is positioned to strengthen public transportation and reinforce Chicago’s role as a major economic hub.
Author’s summary: The CTA will use state bailout funds to restore 24-hour Orange Line service, upgrade bus routes, and improve system cleanliness, aiming to enhance reliability and public confidence.