The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced the completion of accessibility upgrades at over 100 bus stops citywide in 2024. 

Upgrades have been made to 200 bus stops since 2022, as part of a broader effort to enhance access and inclusivity for transit users. These upgrades provide safer and easier access for individuals using wheelchairs, strollers, or other mobility devices, making transit more inclusive and convenient, particularly for older adults and people with disabilities.

“Our bus network provides accessible transit to every corner of the city, and I am grateful to the City’s commitment to improving access to this network,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr.

CTA Bus Stop Upgrades

The upgraded bus stops were selected through a data-driven process designed to maximize their impact. 

Key factors in determining these locations included:

• The Mobility and Economic Hardship Index, a quantitative metric which identifies areas with heightened needs.

• Frequency of ramp deployments at bus stops.

• Locations near hospitals and with high ridership trends.

• Infrastructure improvements vary based on the existing conditions at each bus stop. 

At locations with grass parkways, upgrades typically involve adding concrete pads adjacent to the curb to create accessible landings. Locations with uneven or narrow landings may require more significant work, including curb adjustments or other infrastructure improvements, to ensure accessibility.

Accessibility improvements are also incorporated into other CDOT projects, such as arterial resurfacing and streetscape improvements, ensuring accessibility is a key consideration in all infrastructure upgrades.

Improving Overall Experience

In addition to these upgrades, CDOT and CTA work together closely to improve every step of the transit experience — getting to the bus, waiting for and boarding the bus, and riding the bus. 

The Better Streets for Buses plan serves as a guiding vision for these efforts, identifying ways to prioritize transit and enhance service across the city. Other highlights in 2024 include:

65 new in-lane bus stops. Through bus stop bump outs or boarding islands, dedicated space is provided for riders to wait, board, and alight safely. They enhance efficiency by allowing buses to pick up and drop off passengers without leaving the travel lane, avoiding merging in and out of traffic. On routes with bike lanes, they also help eliminate bus-bike conflicts at stops, improving safety for all users.

CTA tactile bus stop signs. In August 2022, the CTA launched a tactile bus sign program, adding accessible signage at more than 3,000 stops along bus routes across the city. The signs are designed to make stops easier to identify for riders who are blind or have low vision. 

Although these tactile signs are not required by Americans with Disabilities Act, the CTA strives to address transportation barriers experienced by individuals of all abilities. The installation of tactile signage at bus stops complements the CTA’s All Station Accessibility Program, a plan to make all 145 rail stations accessible by 2038, and highlights the agency’s commitment to accessibility, as well as finding new and innovative ways to make taking public transit easier and more convenient for everyone.

Safety improvements at 400 intersections. Upgrades including shortened pedestrian crossings, median refuge islands, and raised crosswalks improve safety and comfort for people accessing bus stops. In Chicago, most residents travel a half-mile or less to reach the nearest bus stop, with walking being the primary mode of access.