Winter 2026 Pick and Service Changes.

[TaylorTank1229]

I know that scheduling information for service changes ain’t out yet, but I figured I get this up now. 
 

What is currently known from earlier this year from the old RTA service report from the summer (if that’s still relevant now) is routes that were planned to get changes to their span of service. So far what’s left on that list to be implemented before year’s end is changes to 37, 50, 156, and 201. 8 is/was scheduled to join the Frequent Network in Winter

Additionally, there’s the 57’s extension to Jefferson Park Blue Line/Metra Station. Now confirmed by the NITA 2027 Regional Budget report, the route will be extended southbound to end at Morton College on Central/38th Street. I assume both extensions will occur together in the Winter Pick, unless it’s be extended to Jefferson Park first in the Winter and extend to Morton College later next year.

[Elkmn]

On 11/3/2026 at 12:47 PM, TaylorTank1229 said:

I know that scheduling information for service changes ain’t out yet, but I figured I get this up now. 
 

What is currently known from earlier this year from the old RTA service report from the summer (if that’s still relevant now) is routes that were planned to get changes to their span of service. So far what’s left on that list to be implemented before year’s end is changes to 37, 50, 156, and 201. 8 is/was scheduled to join the Frequent Network in Winter

Additionally, there’s the 57’s extension to Jefferson Park Blue Line/Metra Station. Now confirmed by the NITA 2027 Regional Budget report, the route will be extended southbound to end at Morton College on Central/38th Street. I assume both extensions will occur together in the Winter Pick, unless it’s be extended to Jefferson Park first in the Winter and extend to Morton College later next year.

37 and 156 likely get weekend service

50 is stop consolidation (check the CTA website) and 201 is supposedly an extension down ridge to bryn mawr.

[Sam92]

5 hours ago, Elkmn said:

37 and 156 likely get weekend service

50 is stop consolidation (check the CTA website) and 201 is supposedly an extension down ridge to bryn mawr.

You sure 37 and 156 are getting weekend service and not just later weekday? Those are too close to the Brown Line and Clark to really be needed. 

[renardo870]

11 hours ago, Sam92 said:

You sure 37 and 156 are getting weekend service and not just later weekday? Those are too close to the Brown Line and Clark to really be needed. 

Yeah, that seems kind of odd. I could see 157 getting weekend service before either 37 or 156.

[Busjack]

11 hours ago, Sam92 said:

You sure 37 and 156 are getting weekend service and not just later weekday? Those are too close to the Brown Line and Clark to really be needed. 

 

11 minutes ago, renardo870 said:

Yeah, that seems kind of odd. I could see 157 getting weekend service before either 37 or 156.

It is starting to be believed that the L is not a substitute for the bus (despite the demise of 11 south of Brown Line).

However, while 156 generally serves Lincoln Park itself, so does 151, and my question would be is whether the conversion of LaSalle St. offices to residential has sufficiently progressed to justify it. 

[Sam92]

28 minutes ago, Busjack said:

 

It is starting to be believed that the L is not a substitute for the bus (despite the demise of 11 south of Brown Line).

However, while 156 generally serves Lincoln Park itself, so does 151, and my question would be is whether the conversion of LaSalle St. offices to residential has sufficiently progressed to justify it. 

Throwing Old Town into the mix and the wider gap in Brown Line stops then ok 37 gets a pass. 

156 I'm still iffy about since it's parallel to both 22 and 151 however one thing it does that those don't is go to the west loop and Union Station so from a coverage/transfer availability standpoint might be justified.

I'm kinda surprised 62 has been left out. It parallels the Orange Line in some spots but between 35th/Archer and Pulaski is pretty much on its own (and again after Midway) and stays pretty busy in those areas. Same reason 60 deserves the enhancements it's gotten. Parallels the Pink Line but yet also hits areas that the Pink Line doesn't and somewhat retains service along UIC/Harrison/Union Sta that separating the Blue Line from Douglas left behind

[Bus1807]

5 minutes ago, Sam92 said:

Throwing Old Town into the mix and the wider gap in Brown Line stops then ok 37 gets a pass. 

156 I'm still iffy about since it's parallel to both 22 and 151 however one thing it does that those don't is go to the west loop and Union Station so from a coverage/transfer availability standpoint might be justified.

I'm kinda surprised 62 has been left out. It parallels the Orange Line in some spots but between 35th/Archer and Pulaski is pretty much on its own (and again after Midway) and stays pretty busy in those areas. 

I agree that 62 deserves more consideration, especially given how much of its route operates independently of the Orange Line and how useful it is for the areas around 35th/Archer and Pulaski. I also think 156 has a reasonable argument because of its connection to Union Station and the West Loop, even with the overlap with 22 and 151. Ultimately, I think the biggest factor should be whether these routes provide coverage and connections that rail alone cannot adequately replace.

[Sam92]

6 minutes ago, Bus1807 said:

I agree that 62 deserves more consideration, especially given how much of its route operates independently of the Orange Line and how useful it is for the areas around 35th/Archer and Pulaski. I also think 156 has a reasonable argument because of its connection to Union Station and the West Loop, even with the overlap with 22 and 151. Ultimately, I think the biggest factor should be whether these routes provide coverage and connections that rail alone cannot adequately replace.

Personally I understand 35th needed a frequency boost BUT I would have split resources among both 35 and 62 in their off peak hours. I would have started with a few buses to bring all of 35th's former 20 min headways to 12-15 min. And a few buses to bring 62's widest headways (15-17 min) to around 10-12 min but still give 35 Owl service. 

[Bus1807]

17 minutes ago, Sam92 said:

Personally I understand 35th needed a frequency boost BUT I would have split resources among both 35 and 62 in their off peak hours. I would have started with a few buses to bring all of 35th's former 20 min headways to 12-15 min. And a few buses to bring 62's widest headways (15-17 min) to around 10-12 min but still give 35 Owl service. 

I think that’s a fair approach. The 35 definitely needed the frequency boost, but I don’t think that should come at the expense of the 62, especially considering how much of its route serves areas that aren’t directly covered by the Orange Line. Splitting some of the additional resources between both routes could have been a good compromise. Keeping the 35 Owl service while improving off-peak headways on the 62 would also help maintain coverage without putting all the focus on one route.