During a City Council hearing, CTA President Dorval Carter outlined ambitious plans for the Chicago Transit Authority, including restoring bus and train service to pre-pandemic levels this year, with a significant 44% increase in bus service. Carter's vision extends beyond matching the performance of transit systems like New York City's MTA, aiming to rival those of Paris, London, and Hong Kong. He highlighted the goal of doubling current ridership to 2 million, a target he believes is achievable with additional funding from Springfield and the hiring of 200 new rail operators. In the past year, the CTA has made strides towards this vision by hiring 1,003 new bus operators and 101 bus mechanics. However, Carter faced scrutiny over service reductions and safety concerns, including crime on trains and ghost buses, despite these efforts. He defended his management of the agency, emphasizing the challenges posed by staffing shortages, which he described as the biggest barrier to enhancing service. Carter also questioned the utility of a transit ambassador program, forgetting that the CTA announced such a program three years ago.
CTA President Dorval Carter defends handling of agency since pandemic as riders, City Council vent frustrations https://t.co/eXeb2uym6V https://t.co/eepGuFaXRJ
Today, Carter: - Said rail service will be back to pre-COVID levels by year's end - Said Chicago shouldn't just do as well as NYC's MTA, but aim for Paris's Métro - Set a 2 million rider goal (over double current ridership) "We’re gonna blow through what our previous high was" https://t.co/6DN6TyAQLp
Grilled by aldermen over service and safety, CTA President Dorval Carter outlines bullish vision for the future https://t.co/AGGK2GZc5w
CTA President Dorval Carter said the transit agency plans to restore reduced bus and train service to pre-pandemic levels this year, including a 44% boost to bus service, with the process beginning in the coming weeks. https://t.co/o2GcoH9M6z
Despite persistent crime on trains and ghost buses scaring off riders, Dorval Carter thinks the CTA could one day rival transit systems in Paris, London or Hong Kong...if he can get a little help from Springfield $$$ https://t.co/vVfPx4dWgy via @crainschicago
Dorval Carter questioning the utility of a transit ambassador program, forgetting that the CTA announced such a program three years ago https://t.co/CyAROEW9kO
CTA Pres Dorval Carter is appearing before aldermen today, and so far has reiterated his goal of hiring 200 new rail operators this year. Last year, CTA hired 1,003 new bus operators, 101 bus mechanics, he said CTA has said staffing is the biggest barrier to adding back service https://t.co/FIkbfBEPgK
I see @CTA President Dorval Carter opted not to floor the train service ahead of today’s City Council hearing hootenanny. Props to operator of brown line run 407 for A+ frequency & clarity of his announcements about why that train was moving slow. https://t.co/KwIsVMA3ZN