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Why is Chicago train called L?

CTA's train system is known as the 'L' (a now-official name originally short for elevated). Trains serve over 140 stations located throughout the city and nearby suburbs, on elevated railways, in subways, or on the ground.



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We want you to think of us as My Metra. It is the sister agency to the Chicago Transit Authority, which provides mass transit rail (the L) and bus service to Chicago and some suburbs, and Pace, which provides bus service primarily in the suburbs.

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In fact, the L has been safer than ever over the past five years since the Chicago Transit Authority's much-publicized expansion and installation of a $26 million surveillance network consisting of 3,600 cameras on rail cars and platforms.

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1: Shanghai Maglev - 460 kph/286 mph (China) The world's fastest public train is also unique – it's the only link in the world currently carrying passengers using magnetic levitation (Maglev) rather than conventional steel wheels on steel rails.

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Explore Chicago on the 'L' train. Become the ultimate urban explorer and tour Chicago by 'L' train, part of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). It's easy to navigate, kind to your wallet, and gives you the chance to see the city from one end to the other.

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Alcohol is generally allowed on Metra trains, in moderation. Metra reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who is intoxicated or impaired. Unruly behavior will be not tolerated and all riders are required to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Underage drinking on Metra trains will not be tolerated.

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Only the blue and red lines run 24 hours per day. On the train itself, you'll be fine and picking the first car where the train operator is. You can encounter drunks, homeless, or mentally ill,but actually safety concerns are minimal. There is an operator alert button in each car.

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Chicago Union Station is the size of nearly 10 city blocks, is the third-busiest rail terminal in the United States, and is Amtrak's overall fourth busiest station, serving about 140,000 passengers on an average weekday.

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