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, 10:25 am
#1
Original Poster
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People Mover/ATS @O’Hare/ORD shuttle train ceases ops until 202? [REOPENED 11/3/21]
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/pe...til-fall-2019/The People Mover, O’Hare’s shuttle train, to cease until Fall 2019
"The shuttle train that connects O’Hare Airport’s terminals, the People Mover, will be closed from early [a.m. Jan. 9,] 2019 through the fall as crews work to finish “the ongoing modernization and extension of the airport transit system. ***
The department expects the upgrades to the People Mover — which carries 30,000 people per day — to be completed by next fall.In the meantime, the CDA will operate a shuttle bus service that will take passengers to and from the airport terminals via a new bus lane, the CDA said.
***
The shuttle train’s closure is expected to worsen vehicle traffic around the airport’s terminal roadways, and the CDA is encouraging fliers to take the CTA Blue Line to and from the airport if possible. ***"
The department expects the upgrades to the People Mover — which carries 30,000 people per day — to be completed by next fall.In the meantime, the CDA will operate a shuttle bus service that will take passengers to and from the airport terminals via a new bus lane, the CDA said.
***
The shuttle train’s closure is expected to worsen vehicle traffic around the airport’s terminal roadways, and the CDA is encouraging fliers to take the CTA Blue Line to and from the airport if possible. ***"
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Jan 2, 2019 at 11:37 am Reason: To comply with FT Rule 9 re avoiding posting full text of copyrighted material.
Jan 2, 2019, 10:59 am
#6
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This is what they did the last time I had to make the trek when the train was closed
At they time they had alot of buses lined up so there was not much waiting. They had a large tent with fans setup due to the summer heat.
It was not as fast as the train but not really that much longer.
A bit more inconvenient since you have to lug your bag(s) on/off the bus.
I don't understand why this would worsen vehicular traffic. Because the extra buses on the road? They say there will be a new bus lane. So they are removing one lane for cars and dedicating it to busses only?
I also think it is ridiculous that their only solution to worsening traffic is to tell you to take the blue line.
Last edited by eng3; Jan 2, 2019 at 11:09 am
Jan 2, 2019, 11:40 am
#7
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ORD is already less than desirable for international-to-domestic connections; this doesn't make things any better!
The EWR AirTrain is so bad that busing, in some cases, might even be faster. It is, without question, the worst primary* APM system at an airport I have ever used.
*= yes, I am familiar with the "creepy little IAH train", but it's essentially useless these days... does it even run anymore?
*= yes, I am familiar with the "creepy little IAH train", but it's essentially useless these days... does it even run anymore?
Jan 2, 2019, 11:57 am
#8
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Jan 2, 2019, 11:58 am
#9
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At they time they had alot of buses lined up so there was not much waiting. They had a large tent with fans setup due to the summer heat.
It was not as fast as the train but not really that much longer.
A bit more inconvenient since you have to lug your bag(s) on/off the bus.
I don't understand why this would worsen vehicular traffic. Because the extra buses on the road? They say there will be a new bus lane. So they are removing one lane for cars and dedicating it to busses only?
I also think it is ridiculous that their only solution to worsening traffic is to tell you to take the blue line.
At least passengers arriving in Terminal 5 and connecting to American or United can give the luggage back as soon as getting out of the border control area. For other passengers it was very difficult. And those passengers with luggage were blocking the exiting of the bus when arriving at Terminal 1. They had to get out of the bus with their luggage to let people out and some did not want to do that with the heavy luggage.
What other choice do you propose for reducing the traffic instead of the blue line? Helicopters?
Jan 2, 2019, 12:01 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2000
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Jan 2, 2019, 12:02 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2005
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It happened in 2014. I lasted for about 2 months as I recalled. The entire Air Train was down. Passengers arriving on NJ Transit and Amtrack had to get off at Newark Penn station instead of EWR station and to catch Newark Bus from Newark Penn Station to EWR. Added 30 minutes to 45 minutes to the commute during non-rush hours. The real pain was the Newark Bus did not have luggage racks for the passengers.
Jan 2, 2019, 12:11 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 396
OK... here are some facts for those freaking out...
The system is being improved. Relax.
- As mentioned, the ATS has mostly been closed since summer. It was only operating on weekends.
- There were lots of growing pains at first but they have moved the pickups/dropoffs around and lines are generally short now
- The system is closing so they can test the new cars and technology. They are DOUBLING the fleet and trains will come every minute when it starts in the fall.
The system is being improved. Relax.
Jan 2, 2019, 12:28 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: BWIADCA
Posts: 1,902
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.
As for EWR, at least you can walk from A to B to C and vice versa. You can't do that at ORD, and even if you could, it would probably take an hour for the connection that I did last summer.
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.
As for EWR, at least you can walk from A to B to C and vice versa. You can't do that at ORD, and even if you could, it would probably take an hour for the connection that I did last summer.
Jan 2, 2019, 12:32 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,118
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.
As for EWR, at least you can walk from A to B to C and vice versa. You can't do that at ORD, and even if you could, it would probably take an hour for the connection that I did last summer.
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.
As for EWR, at least you can walk from A to B to C and vice versa. You can't do that at ORD, and even if you could, it would probably take an hour for the connection that I did last summer.
Jan 2, 2019, 12:48 pm
#15
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Posts: 4,712
As it's been closed weekends for a while... don't have to imagine, just be there on a weekday during rush hour.
As for EWR, at least you can walk from A to B to C and vice versa. You can't do that at ORD, and even if you could, it would probably take an hour for the connection that I did last summer.
Last edited by raehl311; Jan 2, 2019 at 3:34 pm