RAPID TRANSIT OPERATIONS
NORTH-SOUTH THROUGH ROUTING
On November 3, 1913, various through routes were introduced between the South Side and the Northwestern elevated lines. Through the Loop, through trains operated northbound via Wabash Avenue and Lake Street, while through trains operated southbound via Fifth Avenue (now Wells Street) and Van Buren Street.
NORTH-SOUTH SERVICES
November 3, 1913 to February 23, 1931
- Jackson Park-Evanston
- Jackson Park-Howard (beginning in 1919)
- Englewood/Normal Park-Wilson Avenue
- Kenwood-Ravenswood
- Stock Yards-Indiana Avenue (shuttle)
- Howard-Niles Center (shuttle, beginning in 1925)
On February 23, 1931, certain revisions were made in the operating pattern.
NORTH-SOUTH SERVICES
February 23, 1931 to October 17, 1943
- Jackson Park-Evanston
- Jackson Park-Howard
- Englewood/Normal Park-Ravenswood (rush hour)
- Englewood/Normal Park-Loop (non-rush)
- Loop-Ravenswood (non-rush)
- Kenwood-Wilson Avenue (rush hour)
- Kenwood-Indiana Avenue (shuttle-non rush)
- Loop-Wilson Avenue (non-rush)
- Stock Yards-Indiana Avenue (shuttle)
- Howard-Niles Center (shuttle)
On October 17, 1943, the opening of the State Street Subway resulted in certain revisions in the operating pattern.
NORTH-SOUTH SERVICES
October 17, 1943 to July 31, 1949
- Jackson Park-Evanston (via subway)
- Jackson Park-Howard (via subway)
- Englewood/Normal Park-Ravenswood (via subway)
- Kenwood-Wilson Avenue (via Loop elevated)
- Wilson Avenue-Loop (rush hour/via Loop elevated)
- Stock Yards-Indiana Avenue (shuttle)
- Howard-Niles Center (shuttle, discontinued in 1948)
On July 31, 1949, the CTA revised the pattern to one similar to the present day pattern. At the time, "A" and "B" skip stop operation was introduced.
NORTH-SOUTH SERVICES
July 31, 1949 to February 21, 1993
- Englewood-Howard (via subway)
- Jackson Park-Howard (via subway)
- Ravenswood-Loop (via Loop elevated)
- Evanston-Howard (shuttle)
- Evanston-Loop (express/rush hour/via Loop elevated)
- Normal Park-Harvard Avenue (shuttle, discontinued in 1954)
- Kenwood-Indiana Avenue (shuttle, discontinued in 1957)
- Stock Yards-Indiana Avenue (shuttle, discontinued in 1957)
The most significant change since 1949 was the South Side elevated route being replaced by the Dan Ryan line as part of the North-South route, effective February 21, 1993. On that date, the South Side elevated route was linked to the Lake Street elevated route, via the Loop elevated. Prior to then, the Dan Ryan and the Lake Street lines had been linked together. This was the beginning of the adoption of color names for the CTA lines. The Howard-Dan Ryan line became the Red Line, while the Lake Street and South Side elevated lines became the Green Line.