Chicago-Based “Rave Train” Event Derailed In Last-Minute CTA Shutdown

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has abruptly pulled the plug on a Brown Line "Rave Train" event that was set to take place in the Windy City on June 15th.

The event's organizer, Redline Chicago, sold out of tickets to what was billed as an "exclusive charter train experience" complete with performing DJs across three multiple cars while traversing the city's downtown stations.

Redline Chicago characterized the last-minute cancellation as "shocking" and maintain that they had been in talks with the CTA since November to launch the experience. They alleged the agency had approved the event, dubbed the "Redline Express," following negotiations and the two parties have a contract in place.

"The CTA's last-minute cancellation is as shocking as it is disappointing, as the CTA has hosted similar rave events in the past, including a multi-train charter event in 2001," organizers said in a statement.

A statement from the CTA, however, suggests the event was never approved.

"CTA became aware of additional details of the proposed event through the organizer’s promotion that raised concerns regarding rider safety, as well as the sale of event tickets, which does not align with CTA’s policy to charter trains only for private, non-commercial purposes," the organization said. "After careful consideration of all of these factors, this request could not be approved and no formal agreement was entered into between the two parties."

As the dust settles, questions linger as to how the line of communication broke down between Redline Chicago and the CTA, and whether the dream of a mobile rave will ever leave the station in the future. 

Redline Chicago has suggested they will process refunds, but have not yet issued them at the time of this writing.