The South Shore Line is aware that many of our passengers were planning to use their March monthly tickets throughout the month of April.
However, due to the continued impact of COVID-19, and the Illinois governor's extension of the Stay-at-Home order until April 30, we know that many of our riders will now be unable to use their March tickets in April. Therefore, the SSL is going to again offer the opportunity to riders to request a refund for March monthly tickets.
At the time the South Shore Line implemented the modified weekday schedule last week, we placed two extra trains in the morning and evening rush hour periods. Scheduling was based upon ridership levels at that time, but a lot can change in one week during this pandemic.
The South Shore Line announces that the Bikes on Trains program set to begin April 1, 2020, will be temporarily suspended until further notice. Bikes will be prohibited from all weekend and weekday trains during this time.
As the temporary closures of workplaces, events, schools and other public areas increases, South Shore Line wants to keep the health and safety of all riders at the forefront. As a result, the Kids Ride Free spring break staycation promotion that was scheduled for March 21 – April 6, 2020, is now canceled.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the South Shore Line will be implementing a temporary modified weekday train schedule to be in effect MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020, until further notice. Please review the attached full schedule of revised weekday train times, which is essentially a modified weekend/holiday schedule with the addition of two morning and two afternoon rush hour trains. Our weekend train schedules will not be changed at this time.
With the continued increase in temporary closures of workplaces, events, schools and other public areas, the South Shore Line continues to closely monitor the evolving situation with COVID-19. We understand that many of our monthly ticket holders will not be able to fully utilize their passes for the second half of March and possibly into early April.
UPDATE 3/11 - According to parade officials, the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade has been canceled/postponed for Saturday, March 14. Due to this announcement, South Shore Line extra train service for Saturday will also be canceled. Saturday, March 14, trains will operate according to their normal weekend train schedules.
Spring break is right around the corner and the South Shore Line (SSL) is expanding its Kids Ride Free program to include all trains March 21 – April 6, 2020. SSL has selected this promotional time frame to cover a large portion of scheduled spring breaks across the four-county area.
South Shore Line officials continue to monitor and address potential impacts from novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and are taking steps to further reduce the risk to our passengers from exposure to the virus.