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]
Jun 17, 2021, 3:06 pm
#286
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Jun 17, 2021, 3:49 pm
#287
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Jun 17, 2021, 7:31 pm
#288
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.
Jun 29, 2021, 7:57 am
#289
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Stop the busses and man the ATS trains
Idea: stop paying all the bus drivers $45 an hour and put an operator on each ATS train until automation proves to be capable. Solved. Millions saved.
Jul 13, 2021, 1:33 am
#290
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Jul 13, 2021, 7:28 am
#292
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TTB = Terminal Transfer Bus
Jul 13, 2021, 8:00 am
#293
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Am I missing something? With no transfer bus and no train, how are people supposed to get between T5 and the 
ther terminals?! It's not easily walkable.
ther terminals?! It's not easily walkable.
Jul 13, 2021, 8:05 am
#294
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Jul 13, 2021, 8:08 am
#295
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The TTB is the airside bus. It is not running because of Covid.
The train is (normally) landside. Not running because of construction, but it is replaced with landside buses 24/7.
You cannot legally walk to/from T5.
Jul 14, 2021, 6:41 am
#297
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I do continue to see the people mover doing test runs. It was circling by T2 last Thursday as I was getting out of my town car at the end of T1.
Jul 14, 2021, 7:52 am
#298
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test runs have been ongoing for over a year now. There must be some serious issues to keep it from getting launched. Perhaps it’s the $45 per hour bus drivers sabotaging the new ATS to keep their jobs indefinitely.
Jul 14, 2021, 8:41 am
#299
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Actually, the courts don't make the laws... just interpret them (at least that's how it's supposed to work). More important, there isn't a walkway from T1/2/3 to T5. Only a roadway. So it may be "right" that's in not illegal but what's the point of being "dead right"?
Jul 14, 2021, 8:42 am
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Here is a snip from the linked article:
The same email detailed difficulty the new automated train cars had in operating in snow, ice and cold.
“Vehicle reliability has degraded to essentially zero,” the consultant wrote.
There is more on this thread in the US-Midwest forum.