Evanston Officials Urge Residents to Pack The Purple Line Tonight

Evanston city officials are encouraging residents to ride the rails tonight as the CTA is scheduled to check whether enough people are riding the evening Purple Line Express test to justify continued service, according to Evanston Now.

Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl and City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz will greet riders at the Davis Street Purple Line station at 7:55 p.m., ahead of its scheduled 8:05 p.m. departure for the Loop. Tisdahl and Bobkiewicz will also return to Evanston with late evening passengers who work in the Loop.

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On the ride, riders will have a chance to chat with City leaders about why later train service would make Evanston a more livable city.

The test of the new service began on June 1 and will end on July 10. CTA officials have indicated at least an average of 468 round-trip riders on weekdays will be needed for it to continue.

Smylie Brothers will be offering a Purple Line Beer that evening and people are being encouraged to attend the Downtown Evanston Wine Walk before riding the rails to Chicago.

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To be counted as a Purple Line Express rider, participants must continue on to the Belmont stop or beyond. At Belmont or beyond, riders may get off and return to Evanston via CTA or they may continue through Chicago and return to Evanston. Following the full “loop,” the train will reach Howard Street at about 9:37 p.m.

more via Evanston Now