advertisement

---

In recent years, Chicago Transit Authority has adopted initiatives to provide timely and safe service to its passengers. That effort is showing results.



In 2002, CTA increased ridership for the fifth consecutive year, recording 2.4 million more rides on trains and buses compared with 2001. Total ridership was 457.3 million, an increase of 0.5 percent, according to a prepared statement.



"As we continue to modernize our fleet, rebuild our infrastructure and make service improvements that offer comfort and convenience, we hope to see this trend continue," said CTA President Frank Kruesi.



The ridership increase is a reversal from a 15-year downward spiral that culminated in 1997, when the agency reported an all-time low of 419.2 million rides. During that time, CTA lost 40 percent of its customers.



CTA’s 2003 budget includes $539 million for capital improvement projects designed to help the agency maintain ridership and attract passengers.