Unless noted, all extension or replacement bus routes were operated by the same companies which had introduced the streetcar routes. In 1908, Calumet Electric Street Railway and South Chicago City Railway merged to form Calumet & South Chicago Railway. Prior to the formation of CTA, Chicago Railways was the only company operating trolleybuses.
1859 - horse car service introduced from downtown to Halsted, later extended to Damen
1863 - extended west to Western Ave.
1878 - extended west to Hamlin
1889 - extended west to Pulaski
1890 - horse car route converted to cable car
1891 - Cicero & Proviso introduces electric streetcar service west of Pulaski to Harlem
1893 - horse car service introduced on Fifth Ave. branch to Central Park Ave.
1896 - horse car segment on Fifth Ave. converted to electric streetcar
1904 - Fifth Ave. segment extended west to Pulaski
8/19/06 - cable car segment from downtown to Pulaski converted to electric streetcar
12/27/10 - Chicago Railways acquires Cicero & Proviso trackage in city of Chicago
12/27/10 - Through Route streetcar introduced between downtown and Austin Blvd.
5/11/52 - buses substituted on weekends
12/13/53 - streetcar route converted to buses, Fifth Ave. becomes shuttle car
2/22/54 - Fifth Ave. shuttle car discontinued
Segment west of Pulaski originally owned by Cicero & Proviso Street Railway, extending as far west as 19th Ave. in Maywood under Cicero & Proviso Street Railway ownership. Austin Blvd. was established as the Chicago city limits in 1899, and on 12/27/10, segment east of Austin went to Chicago Railways, while segment west of Austin went to County Traction Co., later Chicago & West Towns Railways. Fifth Ave. service was a branch of Madison route, operating southwest on Fifth Ave. to Pulaski.
Owl service
Certain rush hour trips limited stops 6/18/2006-2/7/2010
Car House: Kedzie
Bus Garage: North Ave. (5/11/52-9/5/54)
Kedzie (9/5/54-9/2/79)
North Ave. (9/2/79-9/9/84)
Kedzie (9/9/84-7/3/94)
Chicago Ave. (7/3/94-present)
1888 - horse car service introduced from Indiana to Grove
1893 - horse car service introduced from Ashland to Pulaski
1893 - segment from Ashland to Pulaski converted to electric streetcar
1894 - electric streetcar service extended east from Ashland to Grove
5/23/03 - extended west to Kenton
5/6/09 - some service extended south via Lawndale, over what now is route 82
10/1/45 - Lawndale branch converted to buses, transferred to route 82A Homan
5/30/54 - Cermak streetcar route converted to buses
Cermak Rd. was originally known as 22nd St. From 12/19/98 to 1/30/2005, with weekend service suspended on 54th/Cermak Blue Line rapid transit, limited stop bus service operated during weekends. West terminal was 54th Ave. rapid transit terminal, until introduction of weekend limited stop service, which would operate further west to North Riverside Park Mall. After weekend limited service was discontinued, regular weekend service continued to serve Mall. Effective 6/18/2006, weekday service extended to Mall.
Owl service discontinued 9/13/81
Certain weekend trips limited stops 12/19/98-1/30/2005
Car House: Lawndale (until 5/11/52)
Kedzie (5/11/52-5/30/54)
Bus Garage: Lawndale (5/30/54-12/16/73)
Kedzie (12/16/73-9/2/79)
Lawndale (9/2/79-6/29/84)
Kedzie (6/29/84-9/7/86)
Lawndale (9/7/86-7/3/94)
Kedzie (7/3/94-3/23/2008)
Archer (3/23/2008-2/7/2010)
Kedzie (2/7/2010-present)
1889 - horse car service introduced from downtown to 21st/Western via Adams, Racine, 21st St.
1894 - electric streetcar service introduced on Fulton from downtown to Western Ave.
1896 - 21st Street segment converted to electric streetcar, extended west to Marshall Blvd.
9/14/24 - through Fulton-21st Street streetcar route formed
5/8/47 - streetcar route discontinued, part replaced with bus route 15 Canal-Wacker
Route number was not publicized, used for internal accounting purposes. Basically operated from Fulton/Western, east through downtown, and west via 21st St. to Marshall Blvd.
Car House: Blue Island/Kedzie
1859 - horse car service introduced from downtown to Division St.
1860 - extended north to North Ave.
1861 - extended north to Fullerton
1863 - extended north to Diversey
1886 - extended north to Devon
1888 - segment between downtown and Diversey converted to cable car
1892 - horse car segment between Diversey and Lawrence converted to battery car
1893 - electric streetcar service introduced between Devon and Howard, then part of Broadway route
1894 - horse car and battery car segments from Diversey to Devon converted to electric streetcar
10/21/06 - cable car segment from downtown to Diversey converted to electric streetcar
3/17/08 - Through Route Clark-Wentworth streetcar introduced
9/5/54 - buses substituted on weekends
9/7/57 - streetcar route converted to buses, Through Route discontinued
Service north of Devon was originally part of Broadway route, operating through into Evanston. Clark streetcars began operating to Howard in 1894, upon completion of electrification north of Diversey. When streetcar route on Clark was converted to buses and Through Route was discontinued, remaining streetcar service on Wentworth was renumbered 22A. That was Chicago's last streetcar route, converted to buses 6/21/58. Effective 2/15/76, route 22A was renumbered 24.
Owl service
Car House: Devon
Bus Garage: North Park
1886 - horse car service introduced primarily on Erie between downtown and Ashland
1886 - horse car service introduced on Racine between downtown and 21st St.
1896 - service on Erie and Racine converted to electric streetcar
1898 - Racine streetcar extended south via Throop and Morgan to Union Stockyards
12/1/12 - Through Route streetcar introduced, combining Erie and Racine routes
7/25/48 - streetcar route converted to buses
9/13/81 - discontinued
Through Route operated between Union Stockyards and near northwest side. Segment between 21st St. and Archer actually introduced by Chicago General Railway Co., acquired by Southern Street Railway Co. in 1905.
Midday service discontinued 9/10/61
Car House: Noble (until 8/31/47)
Blue Island (8/31/47-7/25/48)
Bus Garage: Blue Island (7/25/48-1/16/55)
Archer (1/16/55-9/13/81)
1/9/94 - introduced as bus route
5/12/96 - discontinued
Limited stop route between downtown and Harlem/Lake, operated while Green Line rapid transit route was closed for renovation.
Bus Garage: Kedzie
1892 - electric streetcar service introduced between 63rd/Stony Island and 92nd/Commercial
1893 - route revised to operate via 79th St. between Stony Island and Commercial
1893 - extended south primarily via Ewing to 106th St.
4/22/08 - route revised to operate via 73rd St. between Stony Island and Exchange
4/10/27 - discontinued south of 92nd St., Ewing extension transferred to Through Route 5
4/25/48 - streetcar route converted to buses, discontinued north of 79th St.
9/7/63 - discontinued
Evolved from two routes, including "Coles-Exchange" route between 70th/Stony Island and 79th/South Shore, primarily via 70th St. and Coles. In 1897, Coles-Exchange route revised to operate via 73rd St between Stony Island and Coles. Throughout most of history, Windsor Park route operated from 63rd/Stony Island to 92nd/Commercial. Originally operated primarily via Stony Island, 75th St., Coles, Commercial. In 1893 became first service on 79th St., between Stony Island and Commercial, and began operating from 63rd/Stony Island to 106th/Ewing. Effective 4/22/08, Coles-Exchange route discontinued, replaced with Windsor Park route on 73rd St. Upon discontinuance of Windsor Park route, portions of route replaced with changes to route 27, now route 71.
Sunday service discontinued 10/22/61
Car House: Burnside
Bus Garage: 77th St.
1880 - horse car service introduced from Archer to 29th St.
1881 - extended north into downtown via Clark, and south to 33rd St.
1884 - extended south to 63rd St.
1889 - extended south to 79th St. via Wentworth and Vincennes
1895 - service converted to electric streetcar
3/17/08 - Through Route 22 Clark-Wentworth streetcar introduced
9/5/54 - buses substituted on weekends
9/8/57 - Through Route discontinued, Wentworth route renumbered route 22A
6/21/58 - streetcar route converted to buses
9/13/70 - extended south on Vincennes Ave. to 103rd St., replacing route 111A
2/15/76 - renumbered route 24
4/26/98 - extension to 103rd St. discontinued
Was Chicago's last streetcar route. Was extended south on Vincennes Ave. to 103rd St., replacing route 111A, when route 111A (now 112) was revised to feed into new 95th/Dan Ryan terminal.
Owl service discontinued 9/13/81
Weekend service discontinued 10/5/97
Car House/Bus Garage: 77th St.
Original number of segment between 108th/Ewing and Hegewisch, which evolved to present route 30 South Chicago.
7/10/49 - introduced as bus route on weekends as Douglas Park Extension route
2/2/52 - expanded to operate daily, with closure of rapid transit line west of 54th Ave.
11/30/75 - renumbered route 25
6/18/2006 - discontinued, replaced with extension of route 21.
Replaced service on Douglas rapid transit branch west of 54th Ave. to around Harlem Ave., originally weekends only, later at all times. Originally not assigned a route number, later numbered 21B. From 7/10/49 to 2/22/59, buses housed at West Towns Bus Co. garage at Cermak/Harlem. Most service along this route eventually assumed by Pace as routes 322 and 304.
Owl service discontinued 9/7/76
Midday service discontinued 1995, replaced by Pace routes 322 and 304
Bus Garage: West Towns Bus Co. (7/10/49-2/22/59)
Lawndale (2/22/59-12/16/73)
Kedzie (12/16/73-9/2/79)
Lawndale (9/2/79-6/29/84)
Kedzie (6/29/84-9/7/86)
Lawndale (9/7/86-7/3/94)
Kedzie (7/3/94-6/18/2006)
1888 - horse car service introduced from Cottage Grove to Halsted
1895 - route converted to electric streetcar
2/29/48 - streetcar route converted to buses
2/5/56 - route combined into route 31 31st St.
11/10/75 - service discontinued on 26th St.
Midday service discontinued 2/7/65
Car House/Bus Garage: Archer
8/31/2003 - introduced as bus route
Route supplements several routes on Chicago's southeast side.
Operated rush hours only
Bus Garage: 103rd St.
1892 - electric streetcar service introduced between 70th/Stony Island and 79th/South Shore
1892 - electric streetcar service introduced between 63rd/Stony Island and 106th/Torrence
1894 - extended east via 106th St. to Indianapolis Blvd.
12/30/09 - extended south via Torrence to 112th St., 106th St. becomes separate route
6/3/14 - route revised to operate via 73rd St. between Stony Island and Exchange
4/25/48 - streetcar route converted to buses
9/8/63 - route revised to operate via Commercial between 83rd St. and 92nd St.
1/24/82 - route revised to operate via South Shore Dr. between 71st St. and 83rd St.
8/31/2003 - combined into route 71 71st/South Shore
Throughout most of history, route operated from 63rd/Stony Island to 112th/Torrence. Was first service on 75th St., between Stony Island and Exchange. Operated via Burley and Buffalo between 83rd St. and 92nd St. prior to 9/8/63, when that segment became part of route 95, later 95E, segment discontinued 12/28/97. Effective 9/8/63, began operating via Commercial between 83rd St. and 92nd St., replacing discontinued route 24 Windsor Park. During 1980's, north terminal moved west to connect with Jackson Park Green Line, as that rapid transit line was shortened. Effective 1/24/82, revised to operate via Stony Island Ave. and 67th St. and South Shore Drive, replacing portion of route 1.
Owl service discontinued 2/2/92, replaced by route 5
Car House: Burnside
Bus Garage: 77th St. (4/25/48-6/26/88)
103rd St. (6/26/88-8/31/2003)
11/8/24 - electric streetcar service introduced from 112th St. to 124th St.
10/21/46 - streetcar route converted to buses, extended south to 128th St.
4/25/48 - combined with 27 South Deering route after conversion of that route to buses
9/13/81 - segment discontinued
Car House: Burnside
Bus Garage: 77th St.
1892 - electric streetcar service introduced from 63rd St. to 75th St.
1893 - extended south to 94th St.
1893 - extended south via 97th, Pullman, 104th, Cottage Grove to 115th St.
1/14/10 - service discontinued south of 94th St.
7/23/11 - downtown service introduced north to 55th/Lake Park, and via 55th and Cottage Grove
10/15/16 - revised to operate via Lake Park north to 47th, and west to Cottage Grove
12/4/49 - buses substituted on weekends
6/29/51 - streetcar route converted to buses, downtown service discontinued
8/31/2003 - route experimentally revised to operate express into downtown
6/20/2004 - service between 47th St. and downtown revised to operate rush hours only
Streetcars had operated north of 47th St. into downtown via Cottage Grove. Replacement bus service would connect with elevated train at 47th St. until 1/9/94, when extended west to Dan Ryan, connecting with Red Line. Route provided all service on 47th St. east of King Drive from 9/13/81 until 8/31/2003, when experimentally revised to operate express into downtown.
Owl service discontinued 4/26/98
Car House: Burnside/Cottage Grove (until 9/12/49)
Cottage Grove/77th St. (9/12/49-6/29/51)
Bus Garage: 77th St. (12/4/49-6/26/88)
103rd St. (6/26/88-present)
Internal accounting number for local streetcar service, not publicly used. By the time route numbers were used for all streetcars and buses, all Cottage Grove service was identified as route 4, originally the Through Route number.
1859 - horse car service introduced from downtown to Roosevelt Rd., later extended to Cermak
1866 - extended south to Root, and west to Halsted
1869 - horse car route south of 31st St. converted to steam dummy
1871 - steam dummy again replaced with horse cars
1881 - extended south via State to 55th St., Root becomes separate route
1882 - extended south to 63rd St.
1882 - segment between downtown and 39th St. converted to cable car
1887 - segment between 39th St. and 63rd St. converted to cable car
1896 - battery car service introduced from 71st St. to 81st St.
1898 - electric streetcar service introduced 63rd St. to 71st St.
7/1/01 - battery car segment converted to electric streetcar
7/22/06 - cable car segment from downtown to 63rd St. converted to electric streetcar
3/1/12 - service suspended from 71st St. to 81st St.
9/6/12 - service restored from 71st St. to 81st St., routed through from downtown
8/12/18 - extended south to 95th St.
8/12/18 - Through Route streetcar introduced south to 119th/Morgan
8/19/37 - Through Route Broadway-State streetcar introduced
9/5/54 - buses substituted on weekends
12/5/55 - streetcar route converted to buses, Through Route discontinued
9/28/69 - segment south of 95th St. transferred to route 34 South Michigan
2/15/76 - renumbered route 29
Battery car service between 71st St. and 81st St. introduced by Englewood & Chicago Electric Railway Co., acquired by Chicago City Railway in 1912. Route numbered 34 internally for accounting purposes until 1937, when State route combined into 36 Broadway-State through streetcar route. Renumbered 36A upon conversion to buses and discontinuance of through streetcar route. Through streetcar route operated south of downtown to 119th/Morgan. With opening of Dan Ryan rapid transit line, route cut back to 95th St., with new route 34 (now 119) serving points south and feeding into 95th/Dan Ryan terminal.
Owl service discontinued 4/26/98
Certain rush hour trips limited stops 2/11/63-1971
Certain rush hour trips via Dan Ryan Expressway 2/11/63-9/28/69
Car House: 77th St.
Bus Garages: 77th St. (9/5/54-3/23/2008)
103rd St. (3/23/2008-present)