CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The CTA holiday train and bus return this year, but just as almost everything else this year things will be a little different due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
According to the CTA, Santa and his elves will stay socially distanced this holiday season, meaning that customers won’t be able to board the CTA holiday train or the CTA holiday bus. Instead, the CTA holiday fleet will run along each rail line and multiple bus routes, spreading holiday cheer across the city.
“Each year, customers of all ages look forward to the arrival of the CTA Holiday Train and Bus,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “Because our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of our customers and employees, we wanted to find a way to spread holiday cheer across the city, but do so responsibly. Though customers won’t be able to get on board, we know that seeing the CTA Holiday Train and Bus in neighborhoods throughout the city will bring much-needed smiles, joy and hope for everyone.”
Related
As in previous years, when the CTA holiday train rolls through stations throughout the CTA system, riders will see an "eye-catching, fantastically festive", six-car train decorated with holiday scenes, thousands of sparkling lights, and bright LED signage displays. Santa and his reindeer will ride along outside, on a flatbed car in the middle of the train, traveling from line to line to wave to children and their families.
The CTA Holiday Train begins service on Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, and goes dashing through the snow on all CTA rail lines.
Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 1, the CTA holiday bus will visit neighborhoods across the city to light up faces with love and laughter. On the exterior of the bus, customers will see “Ralphie the Reindeer” and his bright green nose, the transit agency said. In addition to hundreds of twinkling lights outlining the bus, Santa will pop up through the roof to greet and wave to families.
Passengers hoping to catch a glimpse of these one-of-kind holiday attractions can find the CTA holiday fleet schedule by visiting: transitchicago.com/holiday