CTA adds more bus routes to its ‘Frequent Network’ guaranteeing arrivals every 10 minutes

The Chicago Transit Authority announced this week it will close out 2025 with several additions to its service.

The Frequent Network, which launched in March to provide riders on key routes with buses operating at least every 10 minutes, will expand to include four bus routes, according to a press release.

This fulfills the agency’s promise to expand its Frequent Network to 20 bus routes by the end of this year.

The final four routes, along with an extension in services for other routes, will take effect beginning Sunday, the agency said.

The expansion means an estimated 70% of the CTA service area is now within half a mile of a frequent bus route, the release said.

“Early this year, we committed to riders that we would expand the Frequent Network to 20 routes by year’s end, and I am thrilled that we are fulfilling that promise,” said acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen in the statement.

The Frequent Network provides service every 10 minutes or less between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

The four routes joining the Frequent Network include:

• #9 Ashland: 10% more service weekdays
• #12 Roosevelt: 15% more service Saturdays, 25% more service Sundays and holidays
• #72 North: 10% more service weekdays and Saturdays, 25% more service Sundays and holidays
• #81 Lawrence: 10% more service Saturdays, 25% more service Sundays and holidays

The CTA will be extending the following routes:

• #75 74th/75th:  Extended south from Damen to Western Avenue
• #93 California/Dodge: Extended to the Logan Square Blue Line station along Kedzie and California Avenues

And the following routes will be enhanced, the agency said in the press release.

• #81W West Lawrence:  Expanded weekend service via East River Road
• #120 Ogilvie/Streeterville Express and #121 Union/Streeterville Express: Simplified weekday morning routing westbound 
• #124 Navy Pier: Earlier weekday service added, starting at 8:10 a.m. from Navy Pier
• #134 Stockton/La Salle Express: Added weekday morning service
• #156 La Salle: Added weekday morning service