Chicago - free trolley?
 

Is the free trolley still running in downtown Chicago? We visited the area recently and I saw one of the signs up and got the impression that it now runs all year and not just in the summer. A friend who is planning a trip said that she checked the Internet and thinks it has been discontinued.

I googled and couldn't find anything out for sure. I saw one note on yelp that it had been discontinued in 2009. Then I found info saying trolleys stopped at Taste of Chicago this year.

I think it was discontinued ..I am not sure who told me that last time I was in Chicago.

just saw this..

http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com...go-il-60602-us

There is only one free trolley route now. The remainder of them have been discontinued.

The remaining route goes from certain points on Illinois to Navy Pier and back on Grand Ave. Only for specific dates (i.e., Memorial Day through Labor Day and then only specific event days outside that term) and specific hours.

With respect to using it, I wouldn't make any definite plans. I would use it as a back-up plan, as the trolleys are often filled to capacity. You can use the #66 or #29 CTA bus routes (depends on where you would be accessing them).

Re: the trolleys at the Taste of Chicago - I think perhaps you were looking at reference to those which are the Hop-on/Hop-off and similar types, for which you pay.

Thanks for your help. I knew that this would be the place to find out.

I'll bet that the sign that I saw was on Grand. We were not too far west of Navy Pier. It caught my attention because, from a short distance, the center looked like it was covered with a decal. I walked closer to check. It gave me the impression it was still running. Maybe the big blank area were where they no longer run.

I did some checking on a daily pass for the CTA. I couldn't figure out on their website where I could buy them. It mentioned that the multi-day passes were available at certain L stations. Does anyone know about the one day pass?

Their web site says you can buy the passes downtown (loop) at Union Station, Chicago Cultural Center, Water Tower Visitor Center, and also at the Chicago and State Red line stop, as well as as Midway and O HAre airport stations, among others.

See:
http://www.transitchicago.com/travel...ines.aspx#pass

The vending machines in the CTA stations sell only 3-day passes which cost $14. I believe the machines do not accept cash. One-day passes are available at most Walgreens and CVS Pharmacies in the city, Jewel supermarket at Ohio & State, currency exchanges at 10 W Ohio (at State), 100 W Randolph (in the State of Illinois Building)543 N St Clair (at Ohio), Merchandise Mart (2nd floor) and 12 E Walton (at Rush).

You can also purchase them online or at the CTA Headquarters at 567 W Lake Street, in the West Loop neighborhood.

Thanks so much for helping me out with my questions.