Still Swift after 50 years

     In the 1960s, the sprawl that came of the Baby Boom was still being felt, leading to a mass exodus to the suburbs. It was at this time that a group of different bodies came together to try something out. A new transit idea that involved linking outlying suburban areas with existing cities using limited-stop rapid transit. That idea was put into motion in 1964, when the Chicago Transit Authority inaugurated service on the Skokie Swift. Running from North Suburban Skokie, this route connected to the rest of the CTA at the northernmost point of the Red Line, at the Rogers Park-based Howard station. The line became a success, pioneering such features as a large park-and-ride lot, drop-off areas, and integration with local bus services. In 1993, the Skokie Swift was renamed the Yellow Line as part of the transition to a color-coded naming system.

     This past Saturday, ceremonies were held at the 2 year old Oakton station to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the line. Dignitaries were present, speeches were given, and attendees were given the chance to ride a special demonstration train which consisted of old 4000 series cars that would have been the ones in operation when the line was founded.