Pilot program to explore extra Purple Line Express service on weekday evenings

A six-week pilot program will measure rider interest in increasing Purple Line Express service between the north suburbs and downtown on weekday evenings.

The additional trip would start at the Linden station in Wilmette at 7:58 p.m. and make all normal Purple Line Express stops. The train would arrive in downtown Chicago by about 9 p.m. before returning to Linden by 9:50 p.m.

The train will run as a pilot program between June 1 and July 10, according to the city of Evanston, which is conducting the test with the CTA.

Transit officials estimate at least 468 weekday round-trip passengers would need to take the train in order to maintain service beyond the pilot program, the city said. The CTA is expected to count the number of riders June 25.

A Purple Line train pulls in to the State/Lake station in the Loop. | Sun-Times File Photo

The last regular weekday express train southbound from Linden to the Loop leaves about 6:30 p.m., according to the CTA’s website. The last northbound train from the Loop to Linden leaves about 7:15 p.m.

The city of Evanston and several businesses and organizations are holding promotional events throughout the pilot program to encourage people to take advantage of the new service.

Riders can also sign up for a text message alert, telling them 20 minutes before the last southbound Purple Line Express train is scheduled to leave the Davis Street station in downtown Evanston.

People can sign up for the text alert at cityofevanston.org/newsletter, or text PURPLE to (847) 448-4331.

The CTA Purple Line connects the Loop to Evanston and Wilmette. | File Photo