O'Hare's upgraded people-mover system now fully operational
For the first time in years, passengers navigating Chicago-O'Hare International Airport (ORD) have access to round-the-clock service from the airport's people-mover system.
After years of construction and delays, O'Hare's Airport Transit System (ATS) resumed 24-hour service last week, marking the end to a lengthy saga, and a major win for travelers departing, arriving and connecting at one of the nation's busiest airports.
The new system features upgraded cars, with service every three minutes, that can transport passengers between the terminals and rental car and economy parking facilities within a matter of minutes.
Closed since early 2019, the ATS reopened in November 2021 but had been operating on a reduced schedule until the system reached full operation for the first time on April 18.
The upgraded system
The new people-mover system, which operates outside security checkpoints, features three-car trains carrying 147 passengers. The trains' route spans three miles, carrying passengers between O'Hare's Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5, as well as the multi-modal facility, which is home to the rental car center, Economy Parking Lot F and the Kiss 'n' Fly, among other local mass transit options.
Related: Chicago O'Hare vs. Midway – which airport should I fly into?
A trip between Terminal 1 at one end of the line and the multi-modal facility takes ten minutes, with five stops along the way.
Work on the people-mover system is part a project that had been in the works for years as part of an effort to upgrade the ATS, which the city first commissioned in 1993.
The project replaced vehicles and control systems on existing tracks, and expanded the ATS fleet from 15 cars before the project to 36 cars today.
Having the system operating at full capacity figures to mean easier access for passengers as they travel through O'Hare.
Related: Layover lowdown: Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Delayed reopening
The full operation of O'Hare's people-mover system comes after a project that included a series of delays that pushed the project's completion back years. After temporary closures at the outset of the project, the system shut down completely at the beginning of 2019 for crews to complete the project's final phases.
The Chicago Department of Aviation said at the time that the system would remain closed until the fall of 2019.
By late summer 2019, though, the city revised reopening expectations for the system, anticipating it would be operational by the holiday season that year, with airport officials at the time speaking of a "challenging project" that had been "frustrating at times."
Citing electrical problems in October 2019, though, the city announced the trains would remain out of service into 2020. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, with no sign of the system reopening.
That changed in November 2021, when the trains began service with reduced hours, before expanding hours over the ensuing months leading up to the full schedule resuming on April 18.
Related: New LAX people movers on track for 2023 completion
Shuttle service ending
During the closures of the ATS, O'Hare has been operating shuttle bus service to transport passengers. That 24-hour service will continue over the next week as part of the transition to full ATS service before ending on May 1, the Chicago Department of Aviation said.
Part of much larger upgrades at O'Hare
The finishing touches on O'Hare's people-mover system come as much larger improvements are in the works at the airport.
Last September, the city celebrated the end of more than a decade and billions of dollars in runway modernization projects.
Meanwhile, work is underway to completely revamp the passenger experience at the airport, which airport officials say represents the largest redevelopment in the airport's history.
O'Hare is undergoing $8.5 billion in construction as part of a collection of nearly 100 projects dubbed O'Hare 21. The improvements will feature two new terminals and satellite concourses, including a new Terminal 5 that airport officials say is coming later this year. Portions of the extensive work are expected to be completed over the coming years.
Bottom line
O'Hare is going through massive changes over the coming years, which will completely revamp the passenger experience. With the people-mover system now fully online, one step toward the future vision for the airport is complete; a step that should make things a lot easier for passengers as they navigate the terminals.
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.