Hugh Barringer

I was under the impression that a lot of the "TOD" was close in enough that people would just walk to work and a lot of the neighborhoods where ridership was growing the fastest (inner blue) were losing population due to shrinking households (and blue line TOD was basically 5 buildings)

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
23.5 miles and 75 buses later, we have made it to Evanston

The end of the 49.
The end is near

Us too! But we’re counting buses (35 so far), dollar stores (7 I think), and fish and chicken places (5)

If you thought mile 6 was bad wait till I tell you about my 11 (Pershing-31st), this mile contained basically all of Chicago’s non-passenger transport arteries and you could tell

Mile #6 (79-71) is the new worst
Though in an absolutely hilarious way (used cars)

Made it to 79th!
We’re counting the buses and we’ve seen 13 so far though five of those were just 95s .

New loser: mile #3 (103-95)
Picture says it all
Also a @westtowns-urbanist.bsky.social signage special

New winner: mile #2 (111-103) slightly inferior streetscape, but the commercial was really interesting so it gets the victory so far.

WE’RE WALKING WESTERN TODAY!
Updates to come when we encounter a new best…or worst mile

Yeah Metra is better than any of these weird buses and more comfortable even if it's 2 minutes slower to 11th (but who cares). 6, 26, and X28 should probably go leaving just 2 and maybe J14 (because it goes places Metra doesn't on both ends and is quite a bit faster)

ALL THE @chicagocta.bsky.social BUSES ✅
Now, for the world’s biggest boba and some Malort on the Metra to celebrate

Route 127/127
77 Belmont
A good one to do last, and we’re riding the whole thing to celebrate

Route 126/127
152 Addison
A classic and the last triple digit but of the challenge

Route 125/127
80 Irving Park
Featuring a surprise cameo from Chicago Twitter legend @questionableway.bsky.social

Route 124/127
36 Broadway
The only instance of a quarter mile grid that’s actually justified

Route 123/127
78 Montrose
These E/W Northsiders are a perfect test case for bus seat selection order given their fullness

Route 122/127
92 Foster
Hailed as “sketchy” by the most memorable driver of the challenge, so far it seems fine

Route 121/127
22 Clark
Home stretch now

After a far too long wait
Route 120/127
96 Lunt
Probably the worst E/W crosstown north of 31st

Route 119/127
93 North California/Dodge
Getting a proper tour of the 1 level inland North Side

Route 118/127
76 Diversey
Took advantage of the back of a bunch for a very comfortable (and quicker) ride

After a quick ride on the Blue Line
Route 117/127
74 Fullerton
This bus is PACKED. We’ve had to turn people away twice

Route 116/127
73 Armitage
The first of many east/west North siders today

After a repositioning move on the 65 and a catchup move on the red line,
Route 115/127
37 Sedgwick
The last bus we have to ride downtown

Route 114/127
124 Navy Pier Express
The bus went off route! But also, loop link is a powerhouse.
Could definitely use one of those on Michigan north of the river

Route 113/127
126 Jackson
One of the CTA’s few instances of a quarter mile grid
Also, it doesn’t run on Jackson westbound until Damen so we’re getting the eastbound too

Route 112/127
130 Museum Campus
Our 2nd and final seasonal route, which provides a reminder of just how far east the Museum Campus is

Oh I love the 2, even better than the 6.
Alas, if it ran peak direction (especially in the afternoon) it would get caught in the traffic from the 57th light which would erase a lot of the advantage

The plan is as follows:
Start with routes downtown
Go do our northernmost incomplete routes (93, 96)
Work our way down the north side, preferably staying pretty close to the lake
Regular live updates on here, but if you want to join, DM so we can properly plan your interception