Chicago isn’t unique in its ridership decline. In fact, compared to other cities, the CTA’s numbers look more optimistic, transit experts said. On an average weekday in 2019 before COVID-19 was a household word, about 1.47 million people took CTA rail or bus. In September 2022, average daily ridership was around 900,000, according to agency reports, a 39% decline.
I suggest Bernie Goetz’s guide for NYC Straphangers. Granted it’s an old read but parts are applicable to the CTA today.
nixit
3 years ago
Certain riders are gone forever. WFH has made a permanent dent in ridership. The lack of safety – or perception thereof – means women are not going to take the CTA off-hours. They’re probably gone forever too. Also, many transit-oriented folks have pivoted to cycling. You have to expect the expansion of bike lanes (especially protected ones) and going to drive CTA ridership down.
Ataraxis
3 years ago
Organizations that have a substandard service don’t “win back” customers until the service is fixed.
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.
I suggest Bernie Goetz’s guide for NYC Straphangers. Granted it’s an old read but parts are applicable to the CTA today.
Certain riders are gone forever. WFH has made a permanent dent in ridership. The lack of safety – or perception thereof – means women are not going to take the CTA off-hours. They’re probably gone forever too. Also, many transit-oriented folks have pivoted to cycling. You have to expect the expansion of bike lanes (especially protected ones) and going to drive CTA ridership down.
Organizations that have a substandard service don’t “win back” customers until the service is fixed.