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'Severe' CTA Commuter Nightmare Ensues After Body Found On Fullerton Tracks Tuesday Morning (Updated)

By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 15, 2017 2:00PM

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Commuters wait outside the Belmont CTA station after service disruption / Photo: Emma Reed


Updated 9:50 a.m.
: The CTA announced on Twitter at 9:42 a.m. that Red, Brown and Purple line service had resumed through Fullerton Station. However, commuters can "expected residual delays as we get trains & crews back in place."

Train service was suspended on the Red, Brown and Purple lines on Tuesday morning when a body was found on the tracks at the Fullerton station. The suspensions wreaked havoc on the morning commute as crews responded to the medical emergency, causing massive crowds and spikes in rideshare costs.

A man was found dead on the Red Line tracks in the 900 block of West Fullerton Avenue at around 6:35 a.m., according to police.

Red Line service was halted in either direction between the Fullerton and North/Clybourn stations. Brown Line service was between Belmont and Merchandise Mart. Purple Line Express service was also halted with regular Purple Line trains running only between Purple Line trains Linden to Howard.

Bus shuttles were available, according to the CTA, which also urged commuters to finds alternate transportation. But the extensive disruption nevertheless caused huge crowds, notably at Fullerton and Belmont stations, plus long waits and confusion. CTA user Emma Reed told Chicagoist that would-be riders were shoving in the streets near the Belmont station at moments on Tuesday morning.


Some commuters said on Twitter that rideshare services like Lyft and Uber showed dramatic surge-pricing increases with the flood in the demand.

It you're one of the travelers delayed by the maelstrom, be sure to reach out to CTA for a late slip.

Check back for updates.

Are you stuck on a train or train platform this morning? You might relate to this post we published the last time we saw a CTA delay this major: The 5 Stages Of CTA Train Delay Grief.