Jan 14, 2009 12:46 pm US/Central
CTA Ridership Gain Was Highest In 34 Years
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
The CTA on Wednesday announced that 2008 combined bus and rail ridership increased by 26.8 million rides, a gain of 5.4 percent over 2007. The total of 526.4 million rides is the most since 1992 and the marks highest single-year ridership gain in 34 years.
Ridership increased 4.5 percent on weekdays in 2008, averaging 1.68 million daily boardings, according to a release from the CTA. Ridership also increased by 7.3 percent on weekends and holidays.
Bus ridership recorded the largest surge with a total of 328.2 million rides, an increase of 18.9 million or 6.1 percent compared to 2007.
The CTA release says it has made great strides in improving bus reliability over the past 12 months. Ridership increased more than 12 percent on bus routes where reliability improvements were made.
In addition, riders along the north lakefront corridor heavily contributed to the growth in ridership as many switched to bus service as an option to avoid the congestion caused by three-track train operation at the Belmont and Fullerton stations.
The slow zone elimination effort, Brown Line capacity expansion project and adjustments to provide more efficient service have improved our customers' day-to-day experience on CTA and are directly related to the growth in ridership despite the struggling economy," CTA President Ron Huberman said. "New buses, and cleaner vehicles and facilities are helping attract new customers and influencing existing customers to ride more."
As an option for riders impacted by three-track operation, the No. 147 Outer Drive Express on the North Side saw a 15 percent increase in ridership. With the resumption of four-track service in December at Belmont and Fullerton, CTA expects some bus riders may migrate back to the rails.
Rail ridership increased by 4.1 percent compared to 2007, recording a total of 198.2 million rides for the year, an increase of 7.9 million. Rail ridership in 2008 was at its highest point since 1968, as ridership increased on all eight lines.
The only significant drop in rail ridership was at stations closest to O'Hare, largely due, the CTA says, to the decline in air travel through the year. The Yellow Line reported a 21 percent increase in ridership as a direct result of the addition of weekend service. Pink Line ridership also continued to grow, increasing by 12 percent. The Pink Line has almost doubled its ridership in a four-year period.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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