Chicago Public Transit: A Lifesaver or Limitation?

PRO:

Despite all the bizarre people I’ve met and outlandish experiences I’ve had on public transit, I would rather ride the train than pay for a rideshare service. In fact, the eccentric humanity of public transit makes me love it even more.

I’m proud to live in Chicago, especially because of its extensive public transit system. Chicago is one of only three cities in the world with 24/7 train service every day of the year — the others are New York and Copenhagen, according to CNN.

If I took a car to Loyola’s Water Tower Campus, I wouldn’t see the crowds gathered in the shadow of Wrigley Field. I wouldn’t hear old friends catching up across from my seat. I wouldn’t smell the fresh flowers clutched tight by the stranger next to me and I wouldn’t get to dream up a story about who the bouquet is for. Public transit is a daily reminder of our capacity for compassion.

One of the most memorable characters I’ve met on the ‘L’ is a man who skateboards in between train cars with a cardboard box in hand containing a collection of little stones, Japanese candies and a jade turtle figurine. Whenever I see him, I give him whatever change I have and he gives me an assortment of knickknacks.

I know my experience isn’t representative of everyone. Women, especially women of color, are more likely to experience harassment on public transit, according to The Equation. But that shouldn’t mean abandoning the system altogether — rather, we should fight to ensure equitable treatment for every rider.

Violent crime on the Chicago Transit Authority declined in 2023, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Red Line specifically gets a bad rap, but this reputation is rooted in racism, since it extends from the majority-Black neighborhood along Howard Street all the way to the historically Black and Hispanic South Side.

But the Red Line also has the most daily passengers out of every line, according to the CTA. The city plans to expand its stretch to reach more of the South Side, which is one of the least accessible areas of Chicago, according to Transportation Research.

I’m especially thankful for the U-Pass program, which includes CTA passes in students’ tuition. Young adults already have to account for rent, groceries and tuition, so one less financial burden makes life easier.

The joys of public transport more than make up for an occasional oddball or time delay. I’ll keep my U-Pass tucked in my wallet as long as I can, and I hope others do too.

CON:

With public transportation often being the main way of getting around in Chicago, the abundance of options the city offers can feel hard to explore. 

Chicago is often referred to as a walkable city, but this doesn’t mean people enjoy covering its entirety on foot. With cars being costly and inconvenient, many residents rely on public transportation to get where they need to go. 

The Chicago Transit Authority is one of the largest public transportation systems in the nation. About 1.7 million rides are taken on the CTA every week, spreading through the suburbs with service on some lines extending 24 hours a day, according to the City of Chicago.

Still, the popularity of the CTA doesn’t mean it creates satisfied riders. Train and bus delays are  common and can leave riders stranded or stuck on a platform for over 30 minutes, according to Block Club Chicago. What’s meant to be a simple ride home after a long shift can turn into a long interval at a lonely bus stop. 

Relying on the CTA to get around limits the freedom this city is supposed to offer. Commuters are bound by the timetables of the train and bus, unable to control their own schedules. 

Even worse, the public trains and buses often come with risks. Instead of filling with commuters on their way to work, the CTA can involve people drinking, smoking or harassing others. 45% of CTA users reported feeling unsafe riding trains and buses, according to Chicago Magazine. 

The convenience of public transportation fades in importance when it comes with disruption. Someone lucky enough to catch a timely train will sometimes spend their trip stuck in a humid box full of thick cigarette smoke. 

Driving a car seems like the easiest solution to this issue, but the constant traffic can disrupt someone’s timing even more than the CTA. Chicago has the second worst traffic in America and the fifth worst in the world, according to the 2023 Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard. A distance that would take 10 minutes to traverse in another city can take closer to an hour in Chicago. 

Chicago holds a far larger amount of carless households than the rest of America, due to its walkability and arguably the inconvenience of driving. In 2020, it was estimated about 8.5% of households in the U.S. don’t own a car, compared to 26.8% in Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

Those who do own a car not only have to suffer painful stretches of congestion, but also endure the never-ending struggle of finding a place to park. Metered spaces are hard to come by and signs often render open spots unavailable. More than 100,000 vehicles are towed each year by the city, according to Your Chicago Guide. 

Chicago, the third largest city in America, is lovable for many reasons. Simply put, its transportation just isn’t one of them.