(Note: Originally, the book had narrative descriptions of every CTA bus route. The final format simply didn’t allow for all this material, so periodically I’ll post selected entries here with updates when appropriate.)
12 Roosevelt (Between Museum Campus and Roosevelt & Monitor via Roosevelt Rd., early morning until late evening). Taking the #12 from one end to the other seems to show the city in microcosm, from the beautiful lake shore and booming South Loop on the east, and then through a series of gentrifying (and not-so-gentrifying) ethnic and inner city neighborhoods as you travel past the Near West Side, North Lawndale, and Austin. But unlike some of the other ‘epic’ routes, many people really do ride end to end, particularly those who need to access downtown and rapid transit options from points west. For those less interested in urban sociology, the #12 offers access to the Museum Campus at the lake, connections to most El lines at State St., service to St. Ignatius College Prep at Morgan St. (1000W), access to both sides of the UIC campus (between Halsted and Damen, 800W-2000W)), and a few blocks north from the stop at Kedzie (3200W), to the southern tip of Garfield Park. To much to process? Think it all over with a pastrami sandwich and a Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray at Manny’s Deli (1141 S. Jefferson, 312-939-2855).
