CTA makes progress in reducing crowded conditions on trains, buses

The Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) plan to reduce crowding on trains and buses appears to be working.

As part of a Crowding Reduction Plan, CTA added service on its busiest rail and bus lines three months ago. A first-quarter report on the plan's impact showed the lines had less crowding even as ridership remained steady or grew, CTA officials said in a press release.

"The CTA has reduced the frequency of sardine-like commutes on bus and rail routes used by more than 76 percent of CTA's customers through the addition of $16 million of bus and rail service," said CTA President Forrest Claypool. "We have a good start, and will continue to monitor trends and make service adjustments with the goal of more comfortable commutes."

CTA launched the plan in mid-December to restructure routes and schedules based on changing ridership patterns and ridership growth. The changes were based on the first holistic review of service the CTA had conducted in 15 years, agency officials said.