CTA to Celebrate the Transit Agency’s 70th Anniversary

The Chicago Transit Authority has announced it will celebrate its 70th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 1, when in 1947 the public agency first began as owner and operator of what is today’s CTA bus and ‘L’ train service. To mark the occasion and to thank customers for a great 70 years, CTA will host a celebration in Daley Plaza that day for customers and transit fans.

The 70th anniversary festivities will include live music by local artists who perform on CTA subway platforms; vintage bus and train rides on CTA’s Heritage Fleet around the Loop; face-painting and memento giveaways; and an appearance by the most recognizable voice to CTA customers, ‘L’ train announcer Lee Crooks.

CTA is the second largest transit system in the U.S. After its creation by the Illinois General Assembly to consolidate several private transit companies that ran various transit services in Chicago, CTA began the operation of the city’s buses, streetcars and trains on Oct. 1, 1947. Today, CTA carries about 1.6 million riders on an average weekday.

“One of the things that makes Chicago one of the most famous and appealing cities in the world is the CTA and our iconic ‘L’ elevated train,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “In commemorating our 70th year as public servants serving Chicago for 70 years, I am proud of CTA’s important role in everyday lives of Chicagoans and I thank all of our customers for taking transit today and for the next 70 years.”

The 70th anniversary event is open to the public. Customers can explore vintage CTA buses parked on Daley Plaza and visit the CTA’s Community Connection Bus, a special bus that provides information about CTA and offers visitors a chance to win prizes and CTA gifts.

Additionally, CTA has already begun selling commemorative paper CTA tickets for single rides ($3, with up to two transfers within two hours of the start of a trip) and 1-day unlimited ride passes ($10) at Ventra vending machines at several rail stations.