The initial CTA network effective 9/10/73 included three routes operating in loops, primarily via east-west streets. Route #201 was Central-Grant, route #202 was Emerson-Dempster, route #203 was Main-Oakton. And there was route #204 Dodge, operating north-south. But that route pattern turned out to be a mistake. And effective 11/26/73, the route network was revised, with four routes, and basically remained intact for the next thirty years.
CTA bus routes in Evanston were originally route numbers #201 through #204. The 6/22/2003 restructuring of the Evanston bus routes resulted in four revised routes numbered #200, #201, #205, and #206. In addition, the #93 California route would be extended from Chicago into Evanston, replacing the #204 Dodge route.
201 - Central-Ridge - evolved from Evanston Bus Company route #1, which traces its roots to the only streetcar route in Evanston. Route had originally operated north from Howard St. primarily via Chicago, Sherman, and Central to Crawford. Until 6/22/2003, CTA route was named Central-Sherman. The 6/22/2003 restructuring resulted in the route operating south of Davis St. station via Ridge, which had been Evanston Bus Company route #2, and later part of CTA route #203 Ridge-Grant. The 6/22/2003 restructuring would put the Chicago Ave. service as part of new route #205 Chicago-Golf. Effective 4/25/2004, traditional streetcar routing on Sherman north of downtown Evanston replaced with operation via Sheridan Rd., more conveniently serving Northwestern University.
202 - Main-Emerson - operated from South Blvd./Sheridan Rd. to Davis St. station, primarily via Main, Fowler, and Emerson. Route had been created from portions of Evanston Bus Company routes #3, #4, and #6. Replaced 6/22/2003 with route #200 Main Shuttle, with service discontinued to South Blvd. and via Fowler, and service on Emerson replaced by extension of #93 California route from Chicago.
203 - Ridge-Grant - operated from Howard St. terminal, primarily via Ridge and Grant to Central/Crawford. Route had been created from portions of Evanston Bus Company routes #2 and #3. Replaced 6/22/2003 with route #205 Chicago-Golf, with service on Ridge transferred to newly revised route #201 Central-Ridge.
204 - Dodge - resembled Evanston Bus Company route #7, operating from Howard St. terminal to Davis St. station, primarily via Dodge. Replaced 6/22/2003 with extension of #93 California route from Chicago.
205 - Chicago-Golf - created 6/22/2003, replacing portions of route #201 Central-Sherman and #203 Ridge-Grant. Effective 8/13/2018, route became redundant to revised Pace routes #208 and #213, and CTA discontinued the route effective 9/4/2018.
206 - Evanston Circulator - created 6/22/2003, supplementing other routes.
Evanston Bus Co.
Information and routes operated by the Evanston Bus Co., prior to its demise in 1973.