CTA Consolidates Stops to Improve Lakefront Service

CTA eliminates Stratford stop on routes 135, 146, 151; riders redirected to nearby stops

CTA Cuts Stratford Stop on 3 Lakefront Routes

Chicago Transit Authority riders on three lakefront bus routes will need to use different stops along Inner Lake Shore Drive. The CTA announced it's eliminating the Stratford stop in both directions for routes 135, 146, and 151, transit officials said. The change affects the Inner Lake Shore Drive corridor, where riders must now walk to nearby stops at Cornelia, Roscoe, or Hawthorne depending on their direction of travel.

Stop Consolidation Part of Network Efficiency

The stop elimination represents a consolidation along the heavily-traveled lakefront corridor. Transit agencies typically remove stops to improve travel times and operational efficiency, though officials didn't specify the reason for this particular change. The three affected routes—the 135 Clarendon/LaSalle Express, 146 Inner Lake Shore/Michigan Express, and 151 Sheridan—serve the lakefront area between downtown and the North Side. The CTA classified the modification as a Bus Stop Note rather than a major service change.

Alternative Stops Within Two Blocks

Southbound riders previously using the Stratford stop should now board at either Inner Lake Shore Drive/Cornelia or Inner Lake Shore Drive/Roscoe, according to the transit agency. Northbound passengers need to use stops at Inner Lake Shore Drive/Cornelia or Inner Lake Shore Drive/Hawthorne instead. Officials didn't provide the exact distances between stops, though typical CTA stop spacing in the area ranges from two to four blocks. The agency advised riders to allow extra time to reach the new boarding locations.

Implementation Timeline Not Specified

The CTA announced the stop elimination but didn't provide a specific date when the change takes effect. Transit officials said riders should plan their trips accordingly, though whether advance signage will be posted at the eliminated stop wasn't clear from available information. The agency typically provides notice before stop changes, but details about the notification timeline weren't released.

Riders Should Verify Stop Locations

Passengers who regularly use the Stratford stop on routes 135, 146, or 151 should identify their nearest alternative boarding location before their next trip. Officials said riders can find current stop information and service alerts through transit resources. Moovit provides real-time bus locations and updated stop information for all CTA routes, helping riders navigate service changes along the lakefront corridor.