CTA will test late-evening Purple Line Express service

The CTA has announced plans to extend Purple Line Express service to the evening this summer as part of a pilot program that will gauge whether or not there is a demand for the additional train. RedEye reports that the test will take place between June 1 and July 20, adding a weekday night Purple Line Express train that leaves the Linden stop in Wilmette at 8pm, arrives in the Loop by 8:50pm and then makes a return trip to the Linden station, arriving by 10pm. Currently, Purple Line Express trains from the Loop only operate between 6:05am to 10:15am in the morning and 3:15pm to 7:15pm in the evening. The additional lap of the Purple train will allow commuters who live in Evanston and Wilmette to stay downtown later without having to resort to alternative transportation options. For the rest of us, it's a great excuse to check out Evanston's newest restaurants and bars after a long day at work.