Chicago’s Active Transportation Alliance is looking to turn around declining bus ridership in the city through a number of new initiatives. The advocacy organization is currently surveying riders on what the city could do to make buses a better option, from faster boarding processes to dedicated lanes:
According to a report issued by the CTA in January of 2016, bus ridership, which accounts for 53 percent of all rides, has been affected by low gas prices, road construction and competition from rideshare companies.
Whether people choose to drive themselves or hop into an Uber or Lyft, the result is more congestion, Whitehead said, and simply pushing riders toward rail isn’t the answer.
“Bus is often overlooked in favor of rail, we want to make it more top of mind,” he said.