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In 2005, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) posted rail ridership of 186.6 million — a 4.5 percent increase compared with 2004 and the agency’s highest passenger count since 1985.

CTA officials attribute the increase to service improvements. Last year, the authority completed a $482 million project to rehabilitate the 54th Street/Cermak branch of the Blue Line, which included renovating eight stations and rebuilding track to increase train speeds. In addition, CTA began offering weekend service on the line for the first time since 1998.

CTA also continues to expand Brown Line capacity — which includes lengthening platforms to accommodate eight-car trains and renovating stations — and upgrading power on the Dan Ryan branch of the Red Line.