Chicago’s Free Trolley System

Sometimes free isn’t that great– for instance a free taste of stinky cheese at a fancy supermarket when you are lactose intolerant; You have a possible situation on your hands instead of being able to bask in the glow of FREE! My friends– the free trolley is a chance to bask.
I randomly came across this free trolley and I was certainly glad I did. Instead of arriving at the Navy Pier hot and aggravated after a long walk in the heat, I followed the signs, waited a few minutes and hopped right on the train. The driver was extremely pleasant, the seats were clean, the trolley is well maintained, and there were no noxious toxic smells to complain or report about (thank goodness). There were plenty of seats available, and everyone on the train was in high spirits. We arrived at the Pier in no time at all, and I was able to experience this Chicago highlight in full tourist fashion, well rested and excited.
At the end of my excursion, I was able to get back on the trolley– not the same one, but just as immaculate, and the driver was equally as inviting– and returned to where I began.
Thanks Chicago!

We my sister and I were able to catch the free trolley on Saturday afternoon to go to NAVY PIER to the FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW. Not a problem then it got weird after the show around 5:00 PM It’s cold outside and we are waiting for this trolley to take us closer to where we parked at. It’s now 5:30PM trolley shows up lets off 1 person and tells us that he’s taking a 20 min break and leaves us standing there in the turn about shelter area. Now 8 more people show up waiting for the FREE trolley to shuttle us. But since there is something else going on in the Grand ballroom more trolley’s that are red & green at least 9 same color red & green trolley are come and going while we are still waiting for the FREE trolley to come and get us. He’s been on lunch over his 20 minute’s it’s now 6:50 and 4 people walk away mad cause this guy hasn’t returned. My sister and another person call to complain and we are finally told that where we are standing is not a Free Trolley pick-​up even thought there is a sign stating that this is where you pick it up from. It’s now 7:15 P.M.the guy didn’t show. They tell this other lady that we all need to walk down to the 2^nd location a restaurant called RIVA CAFE. Is the FREE TROLLEY pick –up location. Now it’s 7 :30 PM and guess what the FREE TROLLEY drives right past the location doesn’t bother to come in side were 9 more people are waiting for this 1 driver. I mean as we are making a complaint as he comes from the 1^st stop where we were told by this person on the phone who works from the FREE TROLLEY Company. It was a big slap in all of our faces. The one on the phone has no idea how long we all stood there waiting for 1 person JUST TO DO HIS JOB AND PICK US ALL UP. The person on the phone said we only have 2 trolley’s. But you can take a taxi. Also the NAVY PIER Police can’t help because that’s NOT OUR PROBLEM. All the red & Green Trolley’s that were doing there job’s on Saturday. JUST NOT THIS 1 GUY. NO HE HAD TO TAKE A 20 MIN OR LONGER LUNCH. Well us 5 people walk thru the rest of the pier mad with headaches and were cold waiting for this 1 trolley driver. We would of been home instead of waiting for a long time. A waste of my evening. But Thanks for the 1 freebee a warmish donut from Glazed & Infused. Made my night. Also Thanks to the Flower & Garden Show. I will never take or wait for the FREE TROLLEY AGAIN. I’d rather walk.

I was one of the best things in this city and it was for free. Whenever we went for a walk downtown we would just hop on one of the trolleys and hit the other end of the town. With parking so expensive now it will definitely be missed.

As of Jan. 4, 2009, Chicago’s Free Trolley service has ended.
I heard the inevitable news of your passing this weekend. (See the link at the end of this post to see the official announcement from the City of Chicago.) I was in such denial and did not want to believe it was all true. I was with you on your last day and didn’t even know it was your last.
I didn’t even get to tell you in person, that … I. LOVE. YOU…
Thank you for keeping me warm in the freezing temps of winter, carrying my shopping bags, and my suitcase (whenever I came from Ogilvie) without charging me one cent. Thank you for the cheery music that made the ride all the more pleasureable.
R.I.P. Chicago FREE Trolleys. You will be missed.
He is the information from the City of Chicago (sorry for the long link as I couldn’t use html codes in Unilocal!reviews):

You have those moments every so often where you can’t help but sit back and say «man, I love this city!». Yesterday I had yet another one of those and it included a free ride with it!
I usually walk to the train but the snow was coming down and I was unprepared. The #12 and #146 buses were severely lacking on Museum Campus as usual. I spot something, thinking it’s a bus I get excited that I might be warm soon. Alas, another one of those damn trolleys. The guy working the trolley system outside (bless him in this cold!) yelled out «State and Roosevelt». That’s the train station! Still no bus in sight i hopped on!
I’ve lived here for about 2 years now and have never hopped on one of these. I usually groan as they drive by with the tourist practically falling out of it it’s so full. The line at the museum gets insane during the summertime. But now I’m sold. If it’s not packed I’m on that trolley!
While we were making another stop on the campus before the Roosevelt station, the #12 of course goes by and another one right after that. Trying to turn onto Columbus there’s a stalled car. And now a trolley and 2 buses trying to get through the tiny intersection. The trolley driver makes a turn onto Lake Shore Drive and informs everyone that we’ve taken a slight detour since that intersection is bad enough without a stalled car. So we’ll make it safer and go out of our way a bit. Wow! Thoughtful to no end.
The driver was so nice and courteous. Making sure to pull up where there was a clear path to walk. Making sure that the temperature was comfortable and playing Christmas music the whole way. I great way to begin the holidays!
I am a lover of the trolley though too little too late. Now they’re leaving due to this darn economy. Hopefully when things turn back around they’ll be back because I’m usually annoyed at all the tourists hanging out and taking pictures, elbowing each other in the face. But at the same time, it’s what helps make Chicago special, and now that tiny special thing will no longer be here. So go out and ride one just to say you did before they go away!

This whole system is just amazing for people trying to get around downtown and not pay anything to do so. The trolley is always full, but it will take you just about anywhere you can imagine. The routes are pretty nice, go to the museum campus and of course… it’s free! Sounded kind of sketchy to me at frist, but after I gave it a shot, I was hooked.

It’s FREE! Anyone thinking about giving this FREE trolley system a bad review is a whiny, ungrateful person who needs a reality check.
I’ve taken the trolley to the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Over the years, they’ve expanded the routes to several locations, including Metra stations, Millenium Park, several CTA stops, shopping routes on Michigan Ave., and much more. They run thru Sept. 1, 10am — 6pm.
Yes, it can be very crowded at times. And: gasp!: you may need to wait for the next trolley because the first one filled up so quickly. But it’s a nice service to have when you want to be a tourist for a day and enjoy the beautiful city.

I took this Trolley during the weekend of Taste of Chicago, so it was extremely busniess. On my way to State Street, I had the stand the whole way, but it was not too bad… Lots of cool air whipped through the trolley and it was very comfortable.
Taken from the
website «The free trolley system is simple to use. No ticket or reservation is needed. Just catch a free trolley at any specially marked stop. All of the free trolley routes connect to a CTA, Metra or Amtrak station, and most routes connect with another route making it easy to explore many destinations.
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day downtown free trolleys operate daily, running every 20 to 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., with extended service during the Taste of Chicago until 7 p.m. The Lincoln Park free trolley operates only on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Navy Pier free trolley operates daily, year-​round from 10 a.m. to one hour after the Pier closes. For additional Navy Pier free trolley information go here. Riders must board 30 minutes before service ends.»

While waiting to leave the museum campus we were waiting for the 146 bus, but then decided to move to the free trolley line. Within 10 minutes a full trolley showed up… but luckily everyone got off to go to the Field Museum. We got a seat and a free ride to Millennium Park!
I love trolleys. Oh yeah, and so do kids.

So this is one of those things where it’s kinda like the lottery… y’know how people play but kinda expect or more like accept the loss of a dollar every time cause well… that’s what it is.
With the FREE trolley, it’s like the lottery in a sense where you wait for one to come with the expectation that it will most likely be full (since it really is totally free and no secret to society)… and then find out…
If there’s no space… Oh well… time to explore more shops til the next stop and so on… but if you get one… oh my if you get one…
JACKPOT!
See it’s like a game! Yeah that’s what it is… it’s a game y’all!

I’m giving this review a 1 star… for the fact that it was free… but other than that… we would never take it again. We were in town on a Wednesday afternoon and wanted to take the free trolley from the Field Museum to the Holiday Inn at the Mart. We waited and waited… and then waited some more… the line just kept getting longer with other tourist. Meanwhile, there were two full «free» trolleys that passed us by. We waited at least 45 minutes for one to arrive that would accept 10 of the people in line. We all had to stand. If they are going to advertise that they have a free trolley system, I feel that they need more trolley’s in the system. We took cabs & buses after our experience with the free trolley system. Another thing, the trolley does not have a back door exit… it is used for wheelchair accesibility.

How could I have missed this the first few times?!
When you come out of Ogilvie, the Metra system, on Madison, the trolley picks you up at the adjacent Canal Street.
All three color lines — green red and yellow — are available there. Just tell the awesome guide where you are headed and he’ll direct you to the respective color line.
Green line takes you to Milennium Park, Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum.
Red takes you to the Water Tower at the Mag Mile.
Yellow takes you to Navy Pier.
It sure beats walking a few blocks and taking the loop. And it’s free!
We lucked out by boarding the last trolley at 6 p.m. outside the Field Museum, and were taken straight to Union Station and Ogilvie.