The Chicago Transit Authority has something to celebrate as it tries to dig itself out of a budgetary hole.
"The Chicago Transit Authority has announced a record number of rail passengers during 2015, at more than 241 million riders," reports Marwa Eltagouri. "But while rail ridership broke the 2014 record with 3.5 million more rides, bus ridership fell by about 1.6 million, to about 272.5 million rides."
The article blames a blizzard in February 2015 and ongoing construction projects in Downtown Chicago for the drop in ridership. Both bus and rail totaled for an increase in ridership over 2014, however.
The ridership numbers come at a critical moment for the transit agency. It credits increased ridership to $5 billion in planned and completed improvements since 2011, but it also has ongoing budget challenges. "The CTA passed a 2016 budget counting on $300 million in state funding, about $130 million more than Gov. Bruce Rauner has indicated he would provide," according to Eltagouri.
FULL STORY: Record number of riders take 'L' but bus use slips in 2015, CTA says
Chicago Transit Increasing Rail Service to Pre-Pandemic Levels
The Chicago Transit Authority is close to returning both rail and bus service to pre-pandemic schedules, with some adjustments for new travel demand.
Chicago Transit Releases 2024 Budget
The agency projects modest ridership growth while aiming to make long-term investments in bus and rail improvements.
Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis
Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie