Jan 2, 2019, 1:15 pm
Last edit by: onthesam
Update 10/29/2021:
Per the Chicago Tribune, quoting a spokesperson from the Chicago Department of Aviation, the ATS is set to reopen "within the month".
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On October 18, 2019, the Chicago Department of Avaition announced that the People Mover / Airport Transit System (ATS) will remain closed until at least early 2020.
From the official ORD airport site
Transportation Between Terminals (ATS & TTB)
This has been a long-planned / announced Airport Transit System (ATS) Improvement Project
For airside T3 to T5 transfers - AND EFFECTIVE 6/14/2019 T1 to T5 Transfers
You must have your onward (international) BP and Passport in order to board the TTB from either T1 or T3 to T5.
If you arrive at O'Hare on an international flight and have a connecting domestic flight, you will arrive at Terminal 5 and will need to take theATS {shuttle bus transfer service} to the domestic terminals. You will need to clear security again at the domestic terminals.
Per the Chicago Tribune, quoting a spokesperson from the Chicago Department of Aviation, the ATS is set to reopen "within the month".
---
On October 18, 2019, the Chicago Department of Avaition announced that the People Mover / Airport Transit System (ATS) will remain closed until at least early 2020.
From the official ORD airport site
Transportation Between Terminals (ATS & TTB)
The O’Hare Airport Transit System (ATS or “people mover) is closed 24/7 to finalize modernization efforts and expansion of the system.
In order to maintain a travel connection between all of O’Hare’s terminals and parking lots, the CDA will operate shuttle buses to transport passengers and employees between terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5) and from the terminals to each economy parking lot (Lots E, G, H); the Multi-Modal Facility, where rental cars are housed; and the Metra O’Hare Transfer station. The buses will operate continuously to ensure prompt and reliable service while the ATS is closed.
If connecting between domestic Terminals 1, 2 & 3, you DON’T have to take the shuttle buses, you can walk. Simply follow in-airport signage.
The CDA is committed to providing a quick and reliable bus shuttle service as the ATS modernization is finalized. The new ATS is scheduled to open sometime in 2020..
In order to maintain a travel connection between all of O’Hare’s terminals and parking lots, the CDA will operate shuttle buses to transport passengers and employees between terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5) and from the terminals to each economy parking lot (Lots E, G, H); the Multi-Modal Facility, where rental cars are housed; and the Metra O’Hare Transfer station. The buses will operate continuously to ensure prompt and reliable service while the ATS is closed.
If connecting between domestic Terminals 1, 2 & 3, you DON’T have to take the shuttle buses, you can walk. Simply follow in-airport signage.
The CDA is committed to providing a quick and reliable bus shuttle service as the ATS modernization is finalized. The new ATS is scheduled to open sometime in 2020..
For airside T3 to T5 transfers - AND EFFECTIVE 6/14/2019 T1 to T5 Transfers
you can take a Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) from Terminals 1 and 3 to Terminal 5 and bypass the security checkpoint in Terminal 5. The Terminal Transfer Bus service is year round with operation hours as follows: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm. If you are arriving into the domestic terminals and need to collect your luggage (exit the security side of the airport) and recheck in T5, you will not be able to use this service. Terminal Transfer Bus (TTB) Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 Pickup Locations
Gate B1
Gate G17
Gate K20
Gate L24
Gate B1
Gate G17
Gate K20
Gate L24
If you arrive at O'Hare on an international flight and have a connecting domestic flight, you will arrive at Terminal 5 and will need to take the
People Mover/ATS @O’Hare/ORD shuttle train ceases ops until 202? [REOPENED 11/3/21]
Jan 2, 2019, 12:54 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
They need to mark it better. I don't do a lot of domestic to intl at ORD and in September I had to do just that.
Took me few minutes to figure out where to go, then when I finally arrived at the station it was closed. No signs downstairs notifying about the closure.
Found the bus and at 7pm there was no problem transferring to int terminal (UA to LO).
I can't imagine transferring during the rush hour with the train down.
Took me few minutes to figure out where to go, then when I finally arrived at the station it was closed. No signs downstairs notifying about the closure.
Found the bus and at 7pm there was no problem transferring to int terminal (UA to LO).
I can't imagine transferring during the rush hour with the train down.
ORD T1, T2, T3 to T5 busing being looked at for connecting pax
Jan 2, 2019, 1:35 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,053
While I agree that there is no practical way to walk from T5 to T1 I have absolutely seen people walking down the side of the expressway on particularly bad traffic days (including once about a month ago). I would not suggest it, and I'm sure it isn't legal, but I have seen people do it.
Jan 2, 2019, 1:37 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
If you think this is the worst that awaits at ORD in the short term, wait until the Terminal 2 teardown starts... the big redevelopment / upgrade project will make a temporary ATS loss look like changing a light bulb.
Jan 2, 2019, 3:16 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 343
When I last used it in October it took 35 minutes to get from T2 to T5 on a Friday afternoon. I may have been able to walk it in less time.
Jan 2, 2019, 4:55 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 396
As someone else mentioned... Highly suggest taking the airside shuttle that runs from G, K and now the L stinger until about 8:30pm. Even better than the ATS because you don't have to go through security again.
Jan 2, 2019, 5:01 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 4,771
For the benefit of others reading this thread, FYI there is a daytime airside bus from T3 -> T5 for D-I connections that doesn't require going through security again.
ORD T1, T2, T3 to T5 busing being looked at for connecting pax
ORD T1, T2, T3 to T5 busing being looked at for connecting pax
Jan 2, 2019, 7:15 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 463
The ORD accessibility guide suggests all the buses are kneeling with securements. I assume the drivers are trained to operate the relevant features on the bus as well.
https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/ServicesAmenities/accessibility/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/ServicesAmenities/accessibility/Pages/default.aspx
Jan 3, 2019, 6:08 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
The ORD accessibility guide suggests all the buses are kneeling with securements. I assume the drivers are trained to operate the relevant features on the bus as well.
https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/Ser...s/default.aspx
https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/Ser...s/default.aspx
Jan 3, 2019, 6:19 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,993
Fly Through Another Hub
My wife just made an international return through ORD and said the wait for the bus was 25 minutes and that there was a lot of traffic on the drive. She does not want to fly through there again until the train is finished, so that is what we will be doing.
ORD was already the worst hub, now it's even better.
ORD was already the worst hub, now it's even better.
Jan 3, 2019, 10:51 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,115
Good call. I never had to endure that as I know my ORD, envisioned that would happen, and actively avoided ORD except if inbound from a PreClearance airport. Luckily the EWR PL opened the same week the ATS maintenance began (yeah it's that long already), providing a Polaris-enabled INTL alternative east of the Mississipi. So either EWR or PreClearance into ORD.