The Biography of Chicago’s Marina City

Marina City backdrop as CTA shows off new bus
1963-64

Two CTA buses parked on Wacker Drive in front of Marina City (1963). Two Chicago Transit Authority buses are parked on Wacker Drive for this photo from, most likely, 1963. In the background, both the west tower (left) and east tower (right) of Marina City appear to be open, so it is at least 1963, but the office building at far right is still being constructed and it will not start to open until February 25, 1964.

The bus on the left is newer than the bus on the right. It is an 8500-series bus built by an Ohio company called Flxible that closed in 1996. CTA photographed this new model of bus in front of Marina City and also on State Street with the Chicago Sun-Times and Wrigley Building in the background.

The bus fleet was being modernized in the early 1960s, just a few years after the last streetcar was replaced. The 8500-series was used until 1975.

Last updated 20-Jan-16

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