Summer Events and Festivals Mean Fun in RTA Region

June 20, 2014

RTA Trip Planner Offers Easy Way to Plan Routes; Avoid Traffic Jams on the Way to “Jam “

Chicago – The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is continuing to remind riders that the fastest and most convenient way to get around this summer is by taking transit. The fun is just a short ride away on a bus or train and a great way to avoid the second weekend of construction delays along the Kennedy Expressway and other congested areas in the region.

Choices include:

• Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and hop on Metra’s North Central Service Line at Union Station to Long Grove for the Strawberry Festival (June 20) to immerse yourself in the scenery of a small historic town while taking in some great food and entertainment.

• Take Metra’s Burlington Santa Fe line into Union Station from the western suburbs and make your way to the Gold Coast Art Fair at Grant Park (June 21-22). Enjoy incredible demonstrations by artists, live music, and interactive art projects.

• The annual Swedish Days fest (June 20-22) in downtown Geneva will be filled with live music, a parade, a carnival, food vendors and kids games. Jump on the Metra Union Pacific/West Line at the Ogilvie Transportation Center.

“Our transit system is the best way to reach your favorite destinations, whether it’s planning a mid-week visit to the museum, enjoying a night out for dinner or participating with hundreds of concert goers at one of the many free performances held at Chicago’s Grant Park,” said Acting RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden.

Riders can use the RTA’s Trip Planner to plan travel and select routes with handicap accessible services when necessary. It is the only online site in the region that provides a variety of options for getting around our region, including transit, walking, bicycling and driving. For more information about how the RTA Trip Planner can help you plan your next trip, visit www.RTAchicago.org. Not sure where to go? Visit websites like Metromix (http://chicago.metromix.com) and Choose Chicago (http://www.choosechicago.com/articles/view/CHICAGO-EVENTS-FESTIVALS-2014-CALENDAR-HIGHLIGHTS/1243/#June), for a full listing of summer events in the Chicago region.