
The Chicago Transit Authority announced the return of its iconic Pride Train this week welcoming back another annual Chicago tradition.
Having become the first major U.S. transit agency to designate a Pride Train featuring the Pride rainbow flag in 2017, this year is the 7th anniversary of CTA’s iconic Pride Train.
The 8-car train wrapped in the colors of a rainbow is now operating on the Red Line “in celebration of the dynamism and continuing evolution of the LGBTQ community locally and nationally.”
CTA and Ventra have also re-launched the special-edition Pride Signature Ventra Card for its second year which can now be purchased through the Ventra website.
This year’s train features an evolution of last year’s line-art, using “bands of color like the transit map lines, but with a curved and inverting rainbow pattern forming shapes.”
The designer embraces the colors of the traditional Pride Flag but again includes light blue, white, pink, brown, and brown stripes to represent the Transgender Flag and the Philly Pride Flag.
“No matter where you live in Chicago or how you identify, you can live freely and proudly in the city of Chicago where we champion the LGBTQ community,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The Pride Train is a reminder to residents and visitors that Chicago is a beacon for freedom, hope, and love – and most importantly, all are welcome and celebrated here. As we celebrate Pride events throughout the month, I encourage everyone to use the CTA and continue doing their part to make Chicago a more inclusive place for everyone.”
The CTA Pride Train will ride the Red Line through fall according to the official CTA release.
More information about the 2024 Pride Train can be found at transitchicago.com while special edition Pride Ventra Cards can be bought at ventrachicago.com/purchase.