CTA Holiday Bus to take 1st trip along Jeffery Jump

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The brand new CTA Holiday Bus goes into service for the first time Tuesday afternoon, along the J14 Jeffery Jump route.

The bus is scheduled to depart the 103rd/Stony Island stop around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday.

CTA officials said the Holiday Bus will appear on nine routes through Dec. 23 to spread holiday cheer across the city. The CTA's Holiday Train, which has been in operation for the last 23 years, started service on the Green Line last Friday.

The 60-foot bus is covered in hundreds of lights and a festive exterior wrap featuring "Ralphie the Reindeer." His illuminated red nose leads the way with the CTA Santa Express in tow. Passengers will also get to see student artwork from Mahalia Jackson Elementary School.

Riders will even have an opportunity to take a photo with Santa in front of his cozy, fireside den. There will be one photo opp per route. The first is scheduled from 5-5:45 pm. Tuesday at the Washington/Jefferson stop on the Jeffery Jump.

For the Holiday Bus and photo opportunity schedules, visit the CTA's website.