Wow. Great reviews from 14 years back. Sure has gone downhill. Constant no-shows, always packed…read more(due to consistent no-shows), flat tires, stalled in the middle of lakeshore drive, and when you call the CTA they can't even tell you where the bus is located or if it will really come. With the Obama library set to open soon, I'm really not sure what they're going to do...

I promise, this is my second and last review for bus routes but as a good Hyde Parker I had to do…read moremy CTA crush - #2. It's just so unbelievably convenient!!! Unlike the #6 which is always over-crowded and a million light years from my place, the number 2 has the good taste of always offering seats and drops me off 2 blocks away from my cozy home. I am totally in love. And hope that the wicked CTA will never put an end to our wonderful story...

It's a train station. But it's MY train station. The coffee lady is an absolute peach. The ticket…read moreguy is great. The building is clean. There's a clean bathroom. They hold the farmers market. All good things, y'all.

My husband and I took the L train during our week long stay in Chicago. Paulina is an above ground…read moretrain station on the Brown line. It's a nice train station that is situated in an energetic, walkable neighborhood. We took the Brown line to get to Chicago Music Exchange on N Lincoln. Our route was Cermak-McCormick to Clark/Lake, where we transferred to the Brown line for the Paulina train stop.

CTA has an L station at Paulina in Lakeview. It provides access to a happening area with lots of…read morecool restaurants and other locally owned businesses in a hip charming neighborhood. Pretty safe for the most part. Has a classic feel but it's modern and clean. There's also an area under the tracks to hang out. As far as stations, this is one of the best. It serves the Brown Line. This is overall a pretty interesting station. Be sure to pronounce it correctly. It's actually said like "Pah-LY-nuh." This is one of the coolest visually. In the station it has an old style of charm. There's the classic mosaic tiles. Outside the station is even more to enjoy. The main entrance is bigger, but across the street there's another entrance plus a cool little area to sit and relax. Has a ton of cool restaurants around here such as MK Noodle, and too many to name all. It's overall clean and safe. The bad thing is there's usually kind of a wait for a train.

I had to write a paper and didn't have a lot of time. Rockwell Coffee was recommended because it…read morewas very likely to be quiet. Although I was initially disappointed that they don't have an espresso machine and only offer drip coffee or cold brew, I got over it when I realized that my drip coffee (which was delicious) and tip were only $4. It was also a super quiet, comfortable spot to write my paper, which was the most important thing. Although that was my main focus, I noticed that they sold carry out wines and beer and they had jars of amazing looking small batch pickles for sale.

CTA has a station on Rockwell. It was renovated more than a decade ago as a part of the Brown Line…read moreimprovement project. Surely it needs to be said this is an unique looking station. For one, it's neither underground or elevated. Two, this goes through a very nice looking neighborhood and it's not insanely busy like most stations can get. As with many of the stations, the location is the best thing about it of course. It serves the Brown Line. This is one of the best ways to get to Ravenswood. It's different from many other stations because the tracks go along the ground. Yes, the ones between the expressways also go along the ground, but those trains don't cross streets. It's more like how Metra goes. The trains come and the gates block traffic. A few bars and restaurants are located close to here. There's not a ton as this is more of a residential area, but there's a few coffee shops and cafes outside. Getting in and out is the worst thing about it. It seems many others have problems with the doors, which suck. The good thing is with this near the end of the Line, there's usually not a long wait for trains.

CTA has a stop on the Loop at LaSalle and Van Buren. It has pretty convenient access to other modes…read moreof transportation which is nice. Of course it gets busy but there's trains coming often. Located near a few top attractions. There's Amtrak and Metra where you can make transfers. It can be found on the south side of the Loop close to some other systems you can conveniently access. It serves the Brown, Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines. The times each of these operates varies. Brown goes counterclockwise. The others go clockwise so be sure to be on the correct side of the platform. For the Brown, stand on the north. The others are on the south. Close proximity to Metra is right by here. This is only a few blocks to walk to if you're coming or going from it. Also know the Purple is a limited extension. It's only on weekdays at rush hour. This is located really close to the LaSalle Metra station.

Some Stations should stay in the past! (with necessary maintenance for safety) Height of the Maze…read moreshows you that humans were shorter then. It would be funny when a sign shows up for Height Clearance so tall humans don't hit their head. *Boink!* Beware, you may get lost in this dinky station. *lol*

Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today 2 get through…read morethis thing called life Electric word life... It means forever and that's a mighty long time Especially, on public transit. I guess you can say I'm a Darling Yelpie. Well, it's superior to the Redline Corvette, when you take it, and it rivals bus156 as far as eye candy or comfort (156 stops more often, baby it's much too fast, and is much more crowded, but good for some- def when one goes to Oldtown or Lincoln Park or Lincoln Park Zoo-loveeee them). I've met/struck up connections/been hit on with people on the 135 route. And at least the last few were normal/hawt. I take it weekdays, since it is faster and less stinky than the Red Line. Anyhow. . . try it; at least you have friends. No more Prince references, unless you have a Charlie Murphy story for me. Then you pwn me even more than my dumdum public trans review.

Sometimes I take this bus to and from work, and I have never had a problem with this bus. The…read moreriders are always courteous and so are the drivers. This is a quick and easy way to get to and from the loop if you are on the North Side. That being said, I really wish that there were more express buses offered to other geographic locations in the city. Northsiders aren't the only ones who need to get to places on time!

I was in town for the Chicago Marathon and stayed at a nearby hotel. I took a red line train down…read moreto Chinatown to head over to the race expo at McCormick Place. This station was underground and pretty standard for a train station. It was pretty clean, well-lit, and rather empty at about 10 am on a Saturday.

It's ok. We entered on State and Harrison. It's a card only entrance. You can pay with your phone…read morebut nowhere to buy a pass. We counted 15 cameras on each side of the platform which makes for what feels like better security. It was cleanish, as clean as a CTA stop gets. Train came on time and there was maybe one or two unhinged persons sleeping upright on a bench.

Hopping on a CTA #81 (Lawrence) bus used to be my daily commute to/from work when I lived in Albany…read morePark. This particular route runs 24/7, and many TSAs and ORD workers catch this one. Yes, together in the same bus we were like a large, happy family. At around 10pm, working professionals coming from ORD and Rosemont would get on the blue line train. As many of us were getting discharged at the Jefferson Park stop, we had the last exercise of the day: running all the way to #81 and hoping everyone of us had a seat (unlikely...because this one is always crowed during that time). Eastbound #81 begins at Jefferson Park Transportation Center. Immediately there's the first point of interest: - Copernicus Center: the annual north side Polish Fest on Labor Day weekend is hosted here. They have different activities going on throughout the year. Let's get back on the bus and continue our journey, or you may remain in the neighborhood and get a new tattoo at Chitown Tattoo, off Leclaire and I-90. I've heard many good reviews on their work. As we are heading east, we will be passing Mayfair and Albany Park. Albany Park is known to be one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Chicago. There are a few hole-in-the-wall places that actually were gems in my opinion: - Fish N' Go (cash-only): ask Nick, the owner, if there are oysters available. My parents used to surprise me with their delicious fried oysters after a long day of work. - Lawrence Fish Market (cash-only): affordable prices on quality sashimi, sushi, and maki rolls. Put their number on your speed dial and call ahead. - Markellos (cash-only): lights are on 24/7. I guarantee that you will never go hungry cruising through Albany Park. Ladies and gentlemen, now you've arrived at the CTA Kimball Brown Line station. That's probably what I'm missing the most living in Albany Park. The brown line provides an easy access to the Chicago Loop. From there it connects to other transportation options to the south/ southwest side of neighborhoods. By the way, "Hot Dog Station" on Kimball by Kimball Brown Line station is a good place to grab a quick bite. I don't know or can't recall the owner's name, but he resembles "Aiden" from Sex and the City. Wow, this review is becoming very long, and I should wrap it up ASAP. "Ravenswood" is the next neighborhood. It overlaps with Lincoln Square, near CTA Western Brown Line station. Many people love to hang out here during summer for the farmer's market on select Thursday evenings, trendy bars, and cool small businesses. Metra Union Pacific/North Line has a stop at Ravenswood. This particular Metra routine starts at Chicago-Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC) and goes to all the way up north in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Attention passengers...we are approaching to Uptown. "Little Vietnam" is within the Uptown neighborhood. Many Vietnamese or other Asian-themed restaurants, bakeries, and businesses are nearby. If you ever wanna see some skimpily-dressed young men and women, come to "Aragon Ballroom" across from CTA Lawrence Red Line station. I almost got hurt by random glass bottles flying over my head while I was waiting for the bus on a late Saturday night. The CTA #81 (Lawrence) bus tour is officially coming to the end. Now it's time to take a quality break at the beautiful, magnificent Lakeshore Path.

The magic #81 Lawrence bus is open 24/7/365, is as clutch and critical as it gets. It starts by…read moreLake Shore Drive and flows through Uptown to pick you up from The Green Mill, Uptown Lounge, Kinetic Playground, The Aragon, The Riv, WIld Pug, or Crew. It goes on west in quick fashion, passing by El Quijote for late night eats, passes by Crafty Beaver and also Golden Nugget. If you need to hop on the Metra, the #81 Lawrence can drop you off at Lawrence and Ravenswood to hop on over. A giant Chase branch exists there that used to be BankOne that used to be First Chicago. Keep going west and you'll find Wendy's, CVS on Damen and Lawrence, El Taco Loco for late night snackery and Walgreen's open until Midnight. Not going to Lincoln Square? That's all right, the #81 will take you on over past Harvest Time for groceries, past by Restaurant Sarajevo, Greek bakeries and a world of small businesses. If it's late and you still haven't stopped try some George's Kebob by Kedzie and the new Mediterranean joint on the corner. Want something less ethic? How bout some Huddle House diner food that's open 24/7? The Filipino grocery is nearby, Popeye's Chicken, Subway, Donut Doctor and a world of $5 hair salons. Want some late night high carb fare? How bout some 24/7 Markello's Bakery? You can take the bus all the way to Jefferson Park, but I am getting off here, see you.