The Future of Public Transit in Chicago

Public transportation is an icon of the American city. It’s nearly impossible to think of San Francisco without streetcars, New York City without the Metro, or Chicago without the CTA. However, the future of Chicago’s public transit system is becoming increasingly uncertain, and local lawmakers calling for an increase in state funding along with a reform of the city’s transit system. 

The future of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is important for Cook County, as around a third (29%) of residents use public transportation at least once a week according to a recent study by The Harris Poll. There are certainly vocal critics of the current state of the CTA. That said, two in five (37%) Cook County residents think the public transportation in the area where they live is better compared to other places in the U.S, with this number increasing to 51% among residents who use public transportation at least once per day. 

Data suggests frequent usage of Cook County’s public transit service is associated with increased affinity for the system. However, it seems that a major roadblock to getting more public transportation passengers in Cook County is safety. Concerns around safety is cited by two in five (38%) Cook County residents who do not use public transit regularly (i.e., at least once a month) as a reason why they avoid the public transportation system. 

While Cook County’s public transportation system seems to excel at usability and reliability, it falls short in making its passengers feel safe. This likely impacts the public perception of public transit and affects ridership.

For the CTA to secure its future (and the public funding it needs), it will likely have to focus on making passenger safety a key part of its identity. 

Here are other key findings from the study: 

• Half (51%) of Cook County residents that use public transportation once a day think the public transportation system in their area is better compared to other places in the U.S. (vs. 35% of residents who use it less than once per day.)
• Three quarters (71%) of regular public transportation passengers (i.e., Cook County residents that use public transportation at least once a month) rate the system’s usability (e.g., accessibility resources, relevant routes) as excellent or good. 56% rate the reliability as excellent or good. 
• Two in five (42%) Cook County residents would use public transportation more if it was safer.

This survey was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll from September 12^th , 2024 to September 26^th , 2024 among 1,000  Cook County, IL adults, aged 18+. Figures for age, sex, race and ethnicity, education, region, household income, and propensity to be online have been weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions within the US population. Respondents for this survey were selected from a pool of potential respondents who have agreed to participate in The Harris Poll’s online research.