CTA Brown and Purple lines returning to normal operations after rush-hour power outage

After a loss of track power causing CTA riders to face lengthy delays Tuesday evening on the Purple Line and Brown Line, service is being restored, the transit authority said.

According to an alert from the CTA, the Purple Line Express service has been temporarily stopped between Howard and the Loop due to a loss of track power near the Merchandise Mart. The Brown Line service was stopped between Armitage and the Loop, the transit authority said.

As of 10:15 p.m., Brown Line service was being restored and normal stops were resuming at the Merchandise Mart, the CTA said.

Throughout the night, commuters battled delays that lasted several hours during the evening rush.

The transit authority is encouraging riders to use the Red Line to avoid serious delays.

“We are working to restore service as quickly as possible,” the transit authority said in the initial alert.