Having a good transit system is important for a thriving city. It’s especially important for a large city like Chicago. Chicago has the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority). The CTA is marking it’s 70th year of operation this Sunday, October 1, 2017. The CTA started operations on October 1, 1947. It came about because the State of Illinois passed an act that created the CTA. This consolidated numerous systems that were operating independently and competing with each other (and were largely inefficient) into a centralized system that would run the elevated trains and buses.
Today, the CTA is the second largest mass transit system in the U.S. It services an average of 1.6 million riders on an average weekday; and runs about 1,888 buses on 130 routes and 1,301 miles. Buses make about 18,843 trips a day and have 10,813 bus stops. On the rapid transit system,CTA’s 1,492 rail cars operate eight routes and 224.1 miles of track. CTA trains make about 2,276 trips each day and serve 145 stations.
The Chicago “L” celebrated it’s own anniversary on June 16, 2017. The “L” (elevated trains) have been in operation for 125 years! Chicago’s first elevated railway was built by the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad Company on June 6, 1892. It was known as the “Alley L” and ran from Congress to 39th Street just east of State Street.
To thank customers for a great 70 years, CTA is having a celebration in Daley Plaza on Sunday October 1, 2017. There will be live music by local artists who perform on CTA subway platforms and vintage bus and train rides around the Loop.
Happy Birthday CTA. I really appreciate the service especially when traveling in other states.
I think it’s a very good transit system too. When I lived in Chicago and didn’t drive I was still able to get around, especially because I lived near the Belmont bus and Belmont blue line stop.