The grant for the new RapidRide J Line was funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The partnership provides students with a customized two-week commercial driver’s license (CDL) course that allows them to obtain their CDL permit and start their career as professional bus operators.
In total, the region’s transit agencies added 45 million rides in 2023 compared to the previous year, representing an increase equal to the annual transit ridership of Dallas, the Chicago RTA said in a press release.
Systemwide in 2023, the CTA provided nearly 36 million more rides compared to 2022. In 2023, bus ridership increased 15.5% over 2022. Rail ridership increased 13.4%.
The significant step toward sustainable transit comes after the bus underwent rigorous testing last year.