CTA Yellow Line reopens after crash, commuters happy service has resumed

Ardeth Gardiner (front) and Shanesha McCray board a southbound CTA Yellow Line train Friday morning at the Dempster station in Skokie after service resumed. Yellow Line trains had been suspended after a Nov. 16 crash. The friends were excited to ride the train to work, since using the bus added at least 30 minutes each to their commute. (Pat Nabong/Sun-Times)

In the still, dark moments before dawn Friday, a familiar voice echoed on the CTA Howard platform: “This is a Yellow Line train to Dempster - Skokie.”

It was the first time that commuters heard the announcement after a Yellow Line CTA train rear-ended a snowplow Nov. 16, injuring dozens and halting service for weeks, causing hurdles for frustrated and nervous travelers.