For the third year in a row, regional transit ridership was up by double-digits in 2024

Ridership across the Chicago region’s transit system continued to increase throughout 2024, according to the latest data from CTA, Metra, and Pace. The region’s fixed route system finished out the year with a total of 361 million rides. Adding 35 million rides over 2023 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Phoenix. This momentum is at risk if the region’s transit cannot find a sustainable funding solution to the impending fiscal cliff.

Transit riders took more rides on all days of the week in 2024 compared to 2023 with Mondays having the largest percentage increase and Tuesdays and Wednesdays seeing the most overall rides. Daily ridership exceeded 1 million on 229 days last year, an increase from just 178 days that saw that threshold reached in 2023. RTA’s recently approved 2025 regional transit budget ensures service can meet the growing demand this year.

In 2024, CTA rail provided 127.5 million rides, an increase over 2023 of 9 percent. CTA buses provided 181.7 million rides, a year-over-year increase of 12 percent and the highest recovery rate of all modes at 77 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Overall CTA ridership for 2024 reached 309.2 million, a CTA systemwide increase of 11 percent. CTA consistently added service throughout 2024, bringing both bus and rail service back to pre-pandemic frequencies. The agency also opened its first new train station since 2012, the Damen Green Line station near the United Center in the Near West Side neighborhood. During the Democratic National Convention (DNC), the CTA saw heavy service utilization on the Green Line near the United Center and surrounding bus routes. And throughout 2024, CTA continued working closely with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to implement the Better Streets for Buses Plan. This plan was released at the end of 2023 and was Chicago’s first citywide framework for bus priority infrastructure, including bus-only lanes and traffic signal adjustments to enhanced bus stop areas. Five corridors—Pulaski, Western, Cottage Grove, Fullerton, and 55th/Garfield—have been selected for developing concepts for robust, corridor-scale bus priority. Outreach to communities and stakeholders along these corridors is anticipated in 2025.

Metra saw a year-over-year ridership increase of 9 percent, providing nearly 35 million rides as it launched a simplified fare structure and continued to work toward a regional rail vision. This vision calls for providing more consistent, predictable service outside of peak work commute times. In 2024, Metra completed multiple station renovations, opened a brand-new Peterson/Ridge station in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, and added service to lines including UP-North and BNSF. Metra also launched the Access Pilot Program in partnership with the RTA and Cook County, extending reduced fares to riders experiencing low incomes; offered shuttle trains from O’Hare to downtown Chicago during the DNC; and began allowing bicycles on all trains. Notably, weekend ridership on the UP-North and UP-Northwest lines has exceeded pre-pandemic levels, showing that the needs of riders are changing and people are using transit for more than the traditional work commute.

In 2024, Pace buses saw the largest ridership increase of 13 percent, providing 16.9 million rides. Pace continues to see strong demand for its bus rapid transit Pulse lines. Pace’s Pulse Dempster Line, which launched in 2023, and the traditional Pace Bus Route 250 both operate along the Dempster Street corridor in the northwest suburbs. Last year, ridership along the corridor actually exceeded 2019’s pre-pandemic ridership. The agency is also undergoing a network revitalization plan called ReVision with the goal of increasing service where it is needed most.

“For the third year in a row, we have seen double-digit ridership increases across the regional transit system,” said RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden. “This is the result of innovative service improvements by CTA, Metra, and Pace that adapt to the changing needs of riders. These improvements can continue and, in fact, accelerate with adequate sustainable transit funding. Last week, the RTA unveiled ‘Transforming Transit,’ a $1.5 billion vision for system improvements including wait time reductions of up to 50 percent. Alternatively, without filling our regional system’s $770 million operating budget gap with State legislative action by this spring session, we are looking at service cuts in 2026 of up to 40 percent and draconian fare hikes. These actions will only serve to reverse positive ridership trends, sending our system into a death spiral that will impact people, our economy and our climate in ways that are almost unimaginable. RTA will continue to collaborate with CTA, Metra, and Pace to improve the rider experience and advocate for adequate sustainable funding.”

The latest ridership data for all three transit operators is available at the RTA’s Chicago Region Transit Dashboard.