With an annual ridership of over 117 million people, the Chicago “L” is the 3rd busiest metro system in the United States, and ranks within the top 100 systems globally. The “L” (short for elevated), is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and is an integral part of the city’s identity and daily commute.
However, this system has faced a variety of challenges over recent years. Issues such as decaying infrastructure, safety concerns, and accessibility were highlighted during the Covid crisis, but the problems with the “L” have been apparent for years. The current CTA president, Dorval Carter, has faced intense scrutiny over his handling of the recovery of Chicago’s transit systems after the Covid 19 crisis and his seemingly apathetic attitude towards modernizing and improving the CTA network. The work to fix the problems faced by our city’s train system is no task for someone who is not completely committed. In this article, we will highlight some of the biggest problems that the Chicago “L” faces, and list some ways that the system could improve.
One of the primary issues plaguing the Chicago “L” is its aging infrastructure. Many of the lines and stations were constructed over a century ago, leading to frequent maintenance needs and service disruptions. The system also experiences frequent delays attributed to outdated signaling systems, track deterioration, and old rolling stock.
The city has also lagged far behind other cities in terms of adding to its network as well. The most recent line addition was the Pink Line, which began service in 2006 and operates on former south branch Blue Line tracks. The only line extension project in development is the Red Line extension, which will extend the Red Line past 95th/Dan Ryan to 130th street, with several new stations being built along the route. While this is a welcome addition to the CTA’s network, it is a small amount of progress in a system that is inefficient overall. There are many other projects that could eliminate many inefficiencies of the “L”‘s network, but have been either canceled or delayed to the point of being essentially dead in the water. A few examples include:
According to the Chicago commuter advocacy group “Commuters Take Action”, rail service in Chicago has been cut by nearly 22% since 2020. This has led to severe reliability issues, including trains arriving late, not arriving at all, or being unable to handle influxes of commuters during peak operating times. Commuters need to be able to rely on the CTA to get them to their destinations efficiently and on time. Having reliable transit is essential to the operation of our city, and the defects that negatively impact this reliability need to be addressed by Chicago’s leaders soon.
Global Example: Singapore
Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is frequently praised for its efficiency and high frequency. Trains are available every few minutes, and have very few instances of either breakdowns or delays. The MRT achieves this through frequent testing, renovation, and inspection of its system. Chicago could learn from Singapore’s example by improving its own maintenance standards while also implementing a more dynamic scheduling system that adapts to real-time demand.
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Global Example: Montreal
The CTA has begun to integrate the new 7000 series rail cars into its rolling stock and have begun to explore the future implementation of the 9000-series rail cars. The 7000 series cars include features such as AC, security cameras, and an interior map GPS. However, the design of these cars still have a very antique look and seem to lack the characteristics that you would expect from a world class urban rail system. The trains also only have a max capacity of 488 riders, which adds to reliability and overcrowding issues.
Since 2016, Montreal has used the MPM-10 Azur trains for many of their lines. These sleek, and modern trains include many features that Chicago’s “L” could benefit from including quieter operation, a max capacity of 1,555 riders per train, and seamless walk through cars.
Global Examples: Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo.
Chicago has a long way to go when it comes to improving the safety of the “L”, but implementing such features as increased security, video cameras, and platform access gates are all great starts. Serious consideration should also be given to raising the benchmark on the system’s standard for cleanliness. Many of the best urban rail systems in the world, including the metro systems in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo have had some or all of these features for many years. Chicago should definitely take note of how these networks operate as a way to provide its own citizens with a safe and secure commuter experience.
Improving Chicago’s train system is incredibly important to the growth and progression of our city and by looking at the successful practices from metro systems, our city can create a vision of how to create the best version of our own train system. Such advancements not only cater to the needs of residents and commuters but also enhance Chicago’s overall appeal as a top-tier destination for tourists, businesses, and people who are looking to move. By prioritizing the revitalization of the “L”, Chicago can ensure that its train system meets the demands of the present and challenges of the future.
