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CTA Leaders Tout Ridership Gains, Lower Crime Rates on System
File photo of a CTA train in Chicago. (WTTW News)
The Chicago Transit Authority’s acting president said Wednesday that a long-elusive goal is in sight, telling board members that ridership on the agency’s buses has reached 90% of its pre-COVID levels.
Calling the gains a “really exciting milestone,” CTA leader Nora Leerhsen also told directors that weekend ridership has surpassed the levels seen before the onset of the pandemic.
Leerhsen chalked up some of CTA’s recent successes to increased investment in service, including its frequent network of routes with buses scheduled to come every 10 minutes. Four more routes are slated to be added to the network later this year, with later night and more weekend service set to come online to capitalize on summer ridership.
Agency leaders also applauded improved crime numbers on the system. According to the Chicago Police Department, the most serious crimes on the system dropped 40% between May 2025 and May 2026. CPD said that last month violent crime on transit dropped 20% year to date and property crime fell 35% year to date.
Leerhsen and directors credited additional transit missions launched in coordination with CPD and the Cook County Sheriff’s Police, including ride-alongs on buses and officers stationed along routes.
The agency’s leader also told directors additional non-law enforcement resources will come online later this year with the addition of violence intervention and crisis intervention specialists. Those non-police efforts have long been a priority for several board members, who said they’re eager to hear additional details, which Leerhsen promised to provide at July’s meeting.
Directors on Wednesday also approved an amendment to the agency’s budget reflecting additional funding as part of the transit overhaul approved by state lawmakers this year. CTA Chief Financial Officer Tom McKone told directors the additional $54 million will be used for “rider-focused investments” including safety and security, service improvement and expansion, and enhanced cleaning.
Despite celebrating the agency’s recent positive news, Leerhsen said the agency is committed to building on those gains and not becoming complacent.
“This work cannot stop,” Leerhsen said. “This is not a victory lap. It is not over.”
Contact Nick Blumberg: [email protected] | (773) 509-5434 | @ndblumberg
