Chicago Transit Breaks Post-Pandemic Ridership Record
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%.
Like transit systems across the country, CTA has seen consistent ridership growth since the start of the pandemic.
Photo: CTA/Nova Bus
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) provided 279 million train and bus rides over the course of 2023 — a year marked by steady growth in ridership and more-reliable service, according to the agency.
The increase was just over 14% year-over-year.
CTA’s Ridership Boost
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%.
Over the course of the year, the CTA also saw 27 days where ridership exceeded one million rides per day.
“Last year we experienced significant post-pandemic improvement and saw very good trends that we hope will continue, year-over-year, in 2024,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. “As we look toward meeting the ridership demands of this year — particularly on rail — we have set an aggressive goal of training 200 rail operators in 2024.”
Growing Post Pandemic
Like transit systems across the country, CTA has seen consistent ridership growth since the start of the pandemic.
CTA ridership dropped to around 20% in April 2020, and has gradually risen to just over 60% of pre-pandemic ridership.
More Management
Beyond the Checklist: A Structured Approach to Transit Maintenance
Reliability-Centered Maintenance helps transit agencies move beyond routine checklists to focus limited resources on the assets and failures that have the greatest impact on safety, reliability, and service.
Read More →
APTA 2026 Nominating Committee Selects Leadership Slate, Names Chair and Vice Chair Nominees
Leadership changes will help shape the association’s priorities and its representation of the transportation industry during the 2026–2027 term.
Read More →
DART Launches Major Security, Fare Enforcement Initiative
The 90-day demonstration will deploy coordinated security teams at five light rail stations while testing controlled access and gathering data to guide future investments.
Read More →
Advancing Fare Collection Through Technology and Innovation
Learn about delivering 1300 gates at 91 stations while managing fare evasion. Explore the large scale deployment, solution customization and real-world results that affect the region. Prepare for deployment in your region now.
Read More →
Game Day in Motion: Moving Millions During the 2026 World Cup
Between packed transit stations and team motorcoaches, see how agencies and operators across North America tackled the transportation demands of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Read More →
Surface Transportation Extension Averts Shutdown, Leaves Transit Funding Gap
The stopgap keeps federal transportation programs moving, but missing advance funding could complicate the transit and rail projects agencies are planning next.
Read More →
Bus Tech Talk: Keeping Transit Technicians Ahead of the Technology Curve
LA Metro’s Obed Mejia discusses technician training, evolving maintenance technology, fleet replacement, and strategies for getting the most out of today’s transit fleets.
Read More →
Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations
Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.
Read More →
People Movement: Holly Arnold Joins Transdev and More
In this edition, we also cover recent appointments and announcements at Pace, CamTran, MCI, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
Read More →
NITA Launches New Era of Regional Transit in Chicago
The new authority replaces the RTA and brings CTA, Metra, and Pace under a strengthened regional framework for funding, planning, fares, safety, and service coordination.
Read More →