Starting Thursday, July 28 and running through Sunday, July 31, Metra will provide extra trains, expand passenger capacity and adjust schedules on most lines to accommodate the increase in ridership anticipated during the Lollapalooza festival. CTA will add service on the Red, Blue and Brown lines, Yellow Line service will be extended until midnight each night, and various bus routes will provide bus connections between Metra’s Chicago Union Station or Ogilvie Transportation Center and Grant Park.
To help Metra riders locate CTA buses at Union and Ogilvie stations, CTA and Metra will place sign boards directing riders to the appropriate CTA bus route. Buses serving those routes will also have signs in their windows indicating they serve the Lollapalooza site in Grant Park.
- From Union Station: Take the #126 Jackson
- From Ogilvie Transportation Center: Take the #J14 Jeffery Jump
CTA riders can take advantage of the agency’s low-cost, multi-day unlimited ride passes: $5 for a 1-day, $15 for a 3-day; $20 for a 7-day—ideal for those attending Lollapalooza for multiple days, or attending Lollapalooza after-show concerts. CTA riders also can use Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay or any contactless credit or debit card, for pay-as-you-go rides ($2.25 for bus, $2.50 for train).
Metra offers a variety of passes that can be used by festivalgoers. On weekdays, there is a $10 Day Pass that’s good for unlimited rides on any and all Metra lines, all day. For those traveling from closer areas, there is a $6 Day Pass good for unlimited rides across three zones all day. Both Day Passes are available only in the Ventra app.
On the weekend, riders can choose the $7 Saturday or Sunday Day Pass for unlimited travel on Saturday or Sunday. Ventra app users also can choose the $10 Weekend Pass, good for unlimited travel on both Saturday and Sunday. Concertgoers are highly encouraged to use the Ventra app for all tickets – but make sure your phone is charged. All riders must have a ticket to ride Metra trains, and tickets will be checked. On outbound trains, riders may be asked to show their ticket before boarding at downtown stations. To help conductors more quickly validate fares on trains crowded with people going to the show, Metra will suspend the onboard sale of reduced fare student tickets (which can slow conductors down) on all lines during Lollapalooza. Customers can still buy reduced fare student tickets from ticket agents and via the Ventra app. All customers are encouraged to buy their tickets before boarding trains.
CTA and Metra riders are reminded that the wearing of masks, while no longer required, is still recommended on buses and trains. In addition, riders should be advised that buses and trains are likely to be crowded and physical distancing may not be possible.
Customers are asked to not bring backpacks or water bottles on Metra trains during the four-day event. Alcohol is also banned on all Metra trains during the event.