Chicago's Blue Line Train Derailment Leads to Delays During Rush Hour
Chicago's metro train system is experiencing delays on the Blue Line after a derailment early Wednesday.
Blue Line trains are all stopped at the Pulaski station due to the minor derailment, which occurred at about 7:15 a.m., the Chicago Tribune reported.
Amublances were at the scene as a precaution, but no injuries were reported in the eight-car train.
Passengers were asked to move to the last four cars, which then traveled to the Cicero station.
The Blue Line is currently only able to operate between Forest Park and Cicero, and between Western and O'Hare, with no word yet from CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) officials on when full service will be restored.
Shuttle buses are being made available to fill the gap between Cicero and Western.
But CTA officials also advise travelers to use other regular bus services to reach the Green Line, including the No. 7 Harrison, the No. 12 Roosevelt, the No. 126 Jackson or the No. 53 Pulaski buses, the Tribune reported.
In an unrelated incident, a fallen tree caused delays on Metra's Union Pacific North Line near Kenilworth for inbound trains, but outbound trains were able to move with minimal delays.
According to Metra, delays were as long as 50 minutes as of 8 a.m.
Such derailments are of higher concern in Chicago with freight and tanker trains.
Recently, the City Council passed a resolution urging stricter rules by the federal government for oversight of the cargo trains, according to the Chicago Business Journal.
DNAinfo Chicago reported Alderman Edward Burke said that Chicago is a busy rail hub and as a result, the city and its residents are at a high risk of being entangled in rail accidents involving hazardous materials, according to CBJ.
Protestors seek more information about the types of materials being transported through their neighborhoods in order to prevent a hazard in the event of a derailment.
They asked both Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn to "publicize which rail lines might be carrying explosive materials," CBJ reported.
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