Sluggish ridership rates and staffing shortages are dampening recovery. Looming budget gaps could make things even worse.

Transit ridership across the United States fell sharply when the pandemic hit in 2020, and most major cities still have not fully recovered. That’s particularly true for Chicago, the country’s second largest public transportation system.
According to an article from Chicago news outlet WGN9, CTA (Chicago) ridership is 60 percent recovered. In comparison, Los Angeles is 74 percent recovered and Washington, D.C. 76 percent recovered. Nationwide, public transit across all modes has recovered to 79 percent, according to the American Public Transportation Association
The WGN9 article details the drivers of the CTA’s sluggish recovery, which include service cuts, reliability issues, and staffing shortages. The cuts in service were intended to bring the schedule in line with demand, but between those cuts and not enough bus and rail operators to serve the runs, riders are suffering “a loss of confidence in the CTA to deliver on the most basic promises: trains and buses arriving on schedule,” report Mike Lowe and Austin Kleber.
Along with a projected 2026 budget gap of $730 million between CTA, Pace, and Metra now that federal COVID relief has come to an end, additional service cuts and employee layoffs lie ahead if additional revenue streams are not secured.
FULL STORY: CTA lags comparable cities in ridership recovery, staffing shortage remains a ‘crisis’

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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