Honestly, the CTA sucks. It really sucks, like here is a list I have of things I have seen while using them over the years: 1) Extremely inconsiderate bus drivers who make it difficult for the elderly to get on and off the bus, especially in slippery winter conditions. 2) Bus drivers letting people on the bus without paying because they are their 'friends' 3) People smoking on the train, especially weed (my girlfriend is allergic to weed and this can cause her to break out) 4) people pissing and shitting on the train 5) homeless sleeping and/or using the train car as their home, and verbally and physically attacking people who go anywhere near them. 6) CTA employees and security not doing their jobs, sleeping around and ignoring clear acts of criminal activity. 7) Ridiculous wait times for trains and buses which lead to double or triple stacking which is extremely inefficient 8) Lots of stations not having ADA access or if any, have awful conditions (ie smelly elevators, broken down elevators etc). 9) Rude CTA staff in general 10) Bus drivers driving erratically and nearly causing major accidents with other vehicles and pedestrians 11) Broken or insufficient heating lamps on platforms in dangerously cold weather 12) People playing extremely loud music or not using headphones on trains and buses 13) Many stations are lacking any sort of security and/or a CTA staff member in case help or assistance is needed. 14) People breaking or destroying the trains or buses 15) Bus drivers not stopping at bus stops with people at them 16) pickpockets everywhere 17) Ghost buses of course 18) Do I need to mention there have been shootings on CTA? Probably should I could go on, but there are many things that need to be improved on this train line in order to be a safe and enjoyable for Chicagoans and tourists alike read more

The CTA gets 2 stars instead of 1 because I find the 76 and brown lines relatively clean; I also appreciate the low fares. The scheduling, however, is completely unpredictable and unacceptable. The Ventra app provides up-to-date information on the arrival of buses/trains, but it's notably wrong the majority of the time. I understand traffic, weather, and personnel issues that affect transit times by a few minutes, however, about half the time the bus never shows. Today, this occurred while I was standing in -30 wind chill. The bus never arrived when "due," and the app updated to show the next bus coming 15-20 minutes later. This is a repeatable occurrence. As an environmentalist, and as someone who believes in public transit, I wish CTA would just get it together. I'm not sure how anyone could depend on them for work transit. read more

Very bad experience with the cta they wouldn't come on time

How. How is it possible one has to wait 18 minutes for a train during rush hour? These lame-o Covid excuses are wearing so thin. Get your act together CTA!! You out got over 1.43 BILLION dollars in funding!! WTF!?!?? read more

Reading these reviews I had to throw in my thoughts. I would say 90percent of CTA employees are rude and lazy. Ridiculous. If you have a complaint call the station directly and ask for a Manager. (You can find the numbers by looking at the Lost and Found numbers on their website). To the person who said white neighborhoods get quicker service..no..all neighborhoods have terrible service..partially due to them being understaffed. And to the person in O.P. saying the homeless are along the tracks? You must mean outside the tracks. That's not CTA property. Sadly seeing homeless in big cities and nearby burbs comes with territory. I noticed you have another review complaining about the homeless..maybe a major urban area is not for you. Just sayin.​ read more

This review is specifically for the RTA Travel Information Center. In summary, super-WOW good experience. I just got off the phone with them. I have an upcoming trip to Naperville, and have spent several hours over the last week trying to figure our how to get there from O'Hare with public transportation. After substantial frustration and uncertainty, I finally called the RTA Travel Information Center help line. Based on previous experiences with various consumer help centers I anticipated a wait time of 15 to 45 minutes, so I was stunned when the agent picked up immediately. I don't know if all the agents are as good, but this one, Terrance, was outstanding. He was unrushed, but very efficient. Within a couple minutes he took my arrival information, provided me a schedule with all the information I needed including some little details to make sure I was properly oriented, and reviewed it all to ascertain that I had it all correct. To top this off his phone persona was quite warm and personable. I should have thought to ask about travel back to O'Hare from Naperville, but did not - so given the great experience, I called right back. I was lucky to get Terrance again (and again, no wait time!). Same experience: helpful, efficient, clear explanations and schedule. I wanted to leave positive feedback, so by my request he then allowed me to speak with his supervisor, Cassandra. She was equally personable and helpful, and provided me with some hints on how I might obtain information if needed since my return travel is on Sunday, when they are unavailable. Overall I can't imagine any way that this could have been better. I did not expect this high level of efficiency, friendly demeanor, and helpfulness, and I certainly appreciated the surprise. They provided me not only great information, but also brightened my entire morning. Knowing this service exists makes it much more likely that I will visit Chicago again. My only regret is that I did not know about this remarkable resource years earlier. Terrance, Cassandra and all of you at the Information Center, thank you! read more

HORRIBLE. HORRIBLE. HORRIBLE. The subway is filthy and old. The customer service? What's horrible plus horrible? Recently on a trip to Chicago an employee accused us of reusing a ticket 18 minutes ago that we just purchased and printed out. HUH? When I asked to speak to his supervisor, he replied, "THIS AIN'T MCDONALD'S". What? Absolute twilight zone. If you can afford to...UBER. At least they won't accuse you of lying. read more

Why say the bus will be here at certain time but never shows up? This always happens during Saturday or sundays for 81W. At least don't lie on your system that a bus will be coming when in reality you have to wait for the next upcoming bus instead.. read more

Never ask any of the employees ANY TYPE OF QUESTIONS because their responses will be rude as hell. Just absolutely rude. I don't normally say I strongly dislike strangers but some of these employees are so rude and in the worst moments too, when you're struggling to find your way in the city they are not the folks to help you out and just will make you feel bad for not knowing the city and the transit system...this sounds mean but I've tried to be so nice for 5 plus years about the cta and i am about through read more

consistently late, having delays, and every train smell of smoke or over saturated with the homeless. So the people who pay to ride always get the short end read more

Yes, there are some well-established complaints about CTA. But whenever I rode it, both the L and the buses, it got me right where I needed to go, quickly and without incident. I thought the service was pretty damn good; I was visiting for four days and didn't get in a car once. Visiting Europeans or residents of East Asia might beg to differ, and sure, it's not London or Paris or Hong Kong or Tokyo or Seoul. But the coverage, in and of itself, is pretty good. If you want truly world-class public transportation, your options are New York and D.C. For the rest of us, CTA gets the job done. I don't know how it was before, by the way, but the Ventra Card makes it a breeze. read more

The cta is ok because it gets you from one place to another. If you ask bus drivers questions sometimes they will treat you like a bald headed step child and give you a b.s. answer or be unfriendly. Hey we the taxpayers are instrumental in keeping the service operating so if I ask a question related to the service and I'm not being a total schmuck about it, don't tell me to sit down and shut up. Me- do you realize it does not say 157 but ' out of service' driver: get on the bus man, dont you see its running? ( loud voice) seriously:) Some of the train stations are not safe. The Morse and Howard stops are devoid of cops or cta police and you can get accosted or mugged there at any time of the day or night by vagrants, drug addicts, drug dealers, pimps, hookers, thieves, con artists. Ah yes the joys of the city. Also don't ride the red line during a cubs game either way. You will find out real fast if the person next to you is wearing deodorant, aftershave, has drunk bad banaca. Something has got to be done to ease pact lines during those times. This is my rant. read more

I take the bus and train to Ohare almost every day. The amount of times they send a "fake" bus or train is extremely inconvenient for people who rely on public transportation to get to and from work. On the screen at the stop or online it will say train in 5 minutes or approaching, NO TRAIN arrives. This isn't just the early morning or late nights, it's consistently every day regardless of the time. read more

it used to be good and safe now it is dangerous the bus are safer than the trains in the trains they smoke drugs and use cars as bathrooms the police should travel in 2 in the trains as the conductos safety is also at risk late nights and tomorrow at lt mornings are dangerous they also sell all kinds of stuff in the trains they have good people that have their hands. tied as they are also not safe read more

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is largely an effective system. I've have only ridden the rails, or "the El," given that the Orange Line is one of the train lines that actually circulates on that elevated ring, or loop, around downtown Chicago which has most of the stops one will need if visiting the Windy City. I don't believe all of their dedicated heavy rail lines travel on this archaic structure, which feels really funky and slow when it's elevated in that "canyon" between major buildings in the center of the city. The Ventra $10 day pass is useful. It is an easy way to travel in the service zone and cheaper and less cumbersome than buying separate passages. Both O'Hare and Midway airport trains come into the city via traditional subway type cars. It seems like the system is well thought out, with different nodes at which various lines come together, bus service splices in, and connections to other commuter rail options to the northern suburbs or areas to the south, as far as suburbs in Indiana, are available. Most of it seems to be above ground but, in the center, the Red Line does function as a subway for at least part of the way and runs parallel to and west of famed Michigan Avenue and its Magnificent Mile. I'm deducting a star because the trains aren't the cleanest, there are some sketchy types on board (damn, that's judgmental), and parts of the infrastructure are old. There are periodic service interruptions to address this. I got nabbed in such an interruption. On the Orange Line from Midway, the track between two important stations, Halsted and Roosevelt, was closed for work. For a trek that should take about 4 or 5 minutes on the train, the "bus bridge," with its waits on both ends, took about 20 minutes. Then, if you think the track infrastructure is old, check out the dated stations in the Loop, which look like something put together at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Regardless, they have their charm. When you first board a CTA train, the first thing that hits you over the head is how multiethnic, diverse, and crusty Chicago is. Yet, despite that, there are NO bilingual announcements. How would that even be feasible? So many different people from different places around the globe live there that it would point to some sort of "favoritism." For that lack of bilingual announcements, I'd almost give them that star back. Sorry, but that's just a pet peeve of mine. But, hey, at 4 stars, neither they nor I should complain. read more

Chicago Transit Authority - It is easy to view 2 trains together in the Loop. About 5 different lines use it. (Quincy-Wells station). - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Probably on the best public transporation systems. I was using CTA for a couple of years when I was in Chicago. Few of the facts about CTA --The monthly pass just costs $86 and single ride is $2.25 with a transfer just costing 25 cents and second transfer is free (Transfer should be done within 2 hours of start of journey) --They have a CTA tracker application where one can track the buses. It is really awesome and is accurate 95% of the time.One can also get the update to date information on schedule by sending a text message. --Awesome connectivity to trains connecting suburbs.They have link up pass which just costs $45 and one can use it on CTA and PACE buses to travel to union station to catch the Metra Trains. There is nothing like link up pass in NYC which makes one buy different passes (LIRR, Subway,PATH etc). -- The stations on almost all the CTA lines are super clean and very well maintained unlike the subway stations on MTA in NYC. Though I adore CTA but there have been times when it has annoyed me. The most annoying thing which I observed was that multiple buses arrive at the same time. That just does not make any sense because the other two buses will go almost empty. Many a times there have been unannounced delays in CTA trains specially in the blue line while going towards Ohare. read more

Love the ease of use getting from outskirts (Rosemont) to downtown, but there is NEVER a presence of any CTA authority. Today a car so full of cigarette smoke we couldn't stand it, (same car had 3 nodding off or already passed out people) transients riding all day, people with no masks (required as of today) eating (not allowed), etc. Other large cities have these same issues, however they attempt to do something about it. Frustrating. read more

Damn CTA, your transit runs all over the place, is easy to use and has buses and subways. I've never been to the office but the buses and subways are pretty damn awesome. Thanks for taking me all over Chicago for cheap!!! They also have an great website that you can plan trips with that will map your bus and subway route. That helped me get across the city with ease. They also have a phone app! Thanks for making public transit easy CTA. Thanks to the subway I didn't even have to put up with your damn taxi's honking ALL THE DAMN TIME! What's up with that by the way? read more

Its 55 degrees in Chicago we all know what that means! Get ready to roast alive on your commute downtown because these idiots blast the heat in the overpacked cattle cars!!!! Completely unnecessary. Makes riding the redline even more terrible than usual. read more

Chicago Transit Authority - How efficient! - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't have to take the CTA everyday. I don't live in Chicago but then again I don't take the TTC everyday and I do live in Toronto. Seeing so many negative things here about Ventra, the CTA and such all I can say is the citizens of Chicago that are customers of the CTA and Ventra... as bad as you think you have it be happy you don't have to rely on the TTC. I like the CTA and I'll tell you why: -The CTA is NOT the most expensive city transit to use in North America (Toronto is based on cost of passes, basically the foundation of your ridership) -The CTA doesn't get ripped off by fares in a sense of having an automatic payment system whether Ventra or Tap and Pay using your own bank/debit/credit card etc. -The CTA has 2 x 24 hours subway lines (red and blue) -The CTA has 2 airports served by CTA rail system (in Toronto we don't even have one TTC train service our main airport and the other airport is on an island) -The CTA has a wide rail coverage system over a vast area in 2 subway lines and 4 to 6 elevated lines depending on how you want to count the Brown/Purple/Red/Yellow extensions in the North. -The CTA has a lower ridership than Toronto but about double the quantity of rapid transit (subway/elevated train) stations than Toronto and can charge LESS to operate the system. My wife and I spent the last 5 days in Chicago and were either walking or using the CTA and over the entire 5 days because we bought 7 days passes it cost us a combined 56 dollars in CTA fares using Ventra. This included a ride back and forth from O'Hare airport multiple bus rides all over, the L etc. One cab ride from O'Hare to Magnificent Mile would have cost more than 56 dollars. The CTA is convenient, easy to learn, easy to use and quick service while being affordable and feasible to use as opposed to taxis, Uber etc. read more

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This is like shooting fish in a barrel, but I'm going to do it anyway. First, two stories: 1. A few weeks ago, on a Sunday night, I went to the Randolph station to catch a northbound Brown Line. I just missed a train, so I decided to time the next one. The station timetable claims an arrival every "7-10 minutes" at that day/time, at which I laughed out loud. I said, "Ha! Forget seven, I'll even give you the ten. I bet twelve to fifteen." Not even close. TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES! I could have rowed Washington across the Delaware in less time. 2. Today I was walking up Clark Street, just crossing Lawrence, when I saw THREE southbound #22 buses pulling up to the stop. Three, right in a row! Not within a minute, but literally each behind the other. I know that "bunching" is no news to anybody, but I don't take buses (it's a long story, but I'm committed to it) so I had never seen it in action. I've lived here a long time but the recent funding "crisis" caused me distill my years of frustration with the CTA, in my own mind. My main objection to the CTA is the mismanagement. Poor operation that manifests itself in a million little ways across the system can only be the product of bad leadership, right at the top. They spent months begging the legislature for money, sending emails to customers and posting notices asking us to write our congresspersons. Meanwhile, half the stations in the system are undergoing renovation while riders are inconvenienced every day, plus a few years ago they built an entire new train line! What the hell are they doing throwing money away like this? Have you heard of responsible budgeting, CTA? Fiscal planning? COMMON SENSE? They need to focus their priorities on the basics--keeping the trains, buses, and stations clean and making the routes run on time. Clean and on-time is all we want! CLEAN AND ON-TIME! I could rant on, but nobody wants to read that. CTA--get your act together. read more

It's kind of hard to rate Chicago's transit system right after visiting NYC. This is probably the 2nd best mass transit in the country. But I do have some complaints. First off, their new Ventra concept is awesome. One of those smart tap credit cards. Genius! However, it does cost you $5 per card. But I guess that technology does not come cheap. If you're a visitor for more than a couple of days go with one of the unlimited packages. You will totally use the value and then some. We had the weekly unlimited pass even though we were there for 4 days. After the 2nd day we had used up the price and then on the way back to the airport instead of a cab ride we paid for the original cost of the cards. As far as the transit system if you stick to the trains (color lines), it's spectacular, but when you start using their bus system, is when you want to start pulling your hair out. The color lines run pretty consistent and are fast. The buses on the other hand are hit or miss. Certain buses by the end of the trip I noticed were more on time. While other more specialized buses, I guess, would often miss there time window not once or twice and end up arriving after the 3rd schedule pick up. Other times the bus drivers would just look at you and keep on driving. By the end of the trip I had decided no more buses and just walk to the nearest line and take that and walk some more because the buses were so unreliable even if it provided a "shorter route". read more

My 800th. review will be dedicated to an agency that provides mobility for me to "yelp" around the city: Chicago Transit Authority. I've been using CTA religiously for the past three (3) years ever since I moved to Chicago from a small town America that everyone there owns at least two (2) cars, one (1) truck, and one (1) John Deer. It felt so good to be back in a major city where I can do my thang without having to be vehicle-dependent. Riding CTA isn't just to commute to/from work for me; it's my life style. I put my $100 CTA/Pace monthly premium pass to work on my days off. I ride busses and "L" to get to places. I sometimes invite my hubby along with the ride. Yes, I'm hangin" out the passenger ride, of my bestie CTA's ride, but I'm hollering at no one...just wanting to enjoy my own solitude. CTA and I's relationship isn't always peachy. Often times waiting for busses or trains can be an excruciating experience, especially in the brutal winter season. Yet what else can I do? Bundle up, dress in layers, listen to some K-pop, and start dancing with it to keep my body temperature stable. For the most part trains and busses are "on-time." After all it's public transportation. You always want to plan ahead, know the bus schedule somewhat, and familiarize yourself with the immediate surroundings (i.g. the closest place for bathroom, the nearest coffee shop, and the most convenient take-out restaurant for a quick bite). Most bus drivers, train operators, and station employees seem nice and helpful. Of course they have their "moments," just like every other human being living the in the universe. Nevertheless, safety is their number one priority. Out of three (3) years riding every various CTA bus routes, there only has been one (1) accident (not really an accident....but the bus driver ran into something small). Anyways, they've got my "reliability" vote. Patronizing CTA is definitely not a luxurious experience, and this is certainly not everyone's cup of tea. Some friends even asked if I ever felt like I would be getting shot. Well, that wasn't that serious and I didn't want to engage such deep conversations with those friends. Danger is everywhere, so keep your eyes wide open to be on the lookout. Many of you will continue seeing me rocking with the CTA. Oh it's time for me to check the bus schedule for my next CTA adventure. read more

THIS JUST IN: I bought ice cleats for the winter so all you dumbasses who insist on positioning yourselves in slalom formation on the trains and buses had better watch your piggies. Cos I've got cleats. Sharp metal cleats. IN OTHER NEWS: The entire CTA bus fleet is now GPS-enabled and on the Bus Tracker system. For those of us without fancy web browsing iDunnos, there's a handy new text message feature. (This, while New York's MTA has finally abandoned its failed attempt to implement a similar service.) Sure, the buses tend to be erratic and clump, but I'm growing more convinced that that is largely caused by ignorant, inconsiderate riders who won't buck up and follow a few simple rules: - when the bus pulls up, fucking board it; why shuffle over like you've got a turd halfway out your ass? - have your damned money/card ready as you board; most likely there are people behind you and the bus will not leave until everyone is on - while you're waiting for the bus/behind a malingerer, get your damned money/card ready - move to the rear of the bus as instructed by the big red stickers and the recording of the nice man with the nice Midwestern accent; due to layoffs caused by the economic recession, the CTA will no longer offer complimentary ass-wiping at the entrance - exit at the rear; no one can get on when you exit at the ENTRANCE - don't get all haughty when I tell you you're a dumbass for exiting at the entrance If we estimate that people who pull these dumbass moves delay a bus by 15 - 30 seconds at every stop, think about how much time that adds to every trip. AND ON THE TRAIN: Similar rules apply. It's even easier than crying into your bottle of BooHoo! I'm not lying. Cross my heart and hope to brand your piggies with my cleats. Truth! I feel that things seem to be going quite well right now. The station agents seem more pleasant, the trains seem to run regularly. The people who complain about piss and vomit like it's a daily occurrence must have severely bad karma. Or maybe they're habitual complainers. Hmm, let's ponder that possibility. The last time I saw vomit on the train was in 1996, and I ride the trains and buses a lot, all over the city, at all times. And even then, I was disgusted by the puke, not at the CTA. Duh! IN CLOSING: The CTA is far from perfect but it really does the job if you can button your pants and shut the hell up. In my dreams, the system would work like the ones in Tokyo, Singapore, Paris and a handful of other cities (but still maintain 24-hour service, of course). If that is to become a reality, we need to do our part. The authorities have a lot of work to do but we certainly shouldn't make it harder for them. Now get out of my way. Cos I've got cleats. read more

Chicago Transit Authority - Feet on floor. Not on seats. Not on walls. FLOOR. - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Disclaimer: I was only in town for 5 days, in a sub-let in Wicker Park. That said, I *love* the CTA! We used the Blue Line to get from O'Hare to Wicker Park, and from Division to the Loop. We used the Red Line to get to opening day at Wrigley, and took the Brown Line back to the Loop. We took various buses to the Museum of Science and Industry and to the Field Museum. We traveled early to mid-morning, and typically came home during rush hour. With all that, the longest we ever waited for a ride was 8 minutes after having just missed the #6 bus from Science & Industry. The rush hour crowds were no worse than anywhere else, and significantly better than in my native NYC. The only down side, IMHO, was insufficient explanation regarding the difference between CTA and Pace services - at O'Hare, anyway... so we wound up paying for services (Pace) we didn't need. I think some simple signage by the vending machine would set that right. Oh, and without Pace, it's only $23 for unlimited rides over 7 days ($28 with Pace). Kudos to the CTA! read more

The buses are a/c'd and pretty fast, decently on time. nothing to really complain about. I think for the most part the buses arrive on time, they do remind me of MTA in NYC but for some reason New York just does it better. The CTA is probably the cheapest way to get around town in Chicago, especially if you're a tourist which reminds me I need to go download some maps so I can plan my next trip out accordingly. It's definitely not as good as other public transports I've experienced but it's efficient along the lakefront areas and sufficient for where I want to go. At $23 or $28 for a full 7-day unlimited use, this is probably the best way to go which saves a great amount of bus fare for one trip. Good for traveling while on business when you don't want to deal with the incredible parking fees around Chicago. read more

The few times I've ridden the CTA I've been thoroughly impressed. The trains (speaking for the blue & red lines) are pretty clean, the announcements are easy to hear & understand. They even tell you what side of the train the doors open on... how fantastic is that. The signage used throughout is easy to read and clear to follow. And they've got some super friendly employees working in their booths. Many thanks to both who pointed me in the right direction. Bonus points for the CTA buses. Each bus stop had a scrolling schedule to let passengers know when the next bus was coming. As a NYC resident who doesn't have this... I thought it was awesome. read more

Don't get me wrong, the blue line is great. I can't complain too much about the service because it keeps me from having to own a car. I appreciate that it runs 24 hours to and from the airport, that's where the issue comes. The trains on this line are overly used and it is starting to show. The archaic seating arrangement isn't very conducive to all the bags being brought on from O'Hare. After seeing the newer train cars on other lines I was shocked that the blue line didn't get them first. The seats on the train we got on last night were horribly dirty/stained. Hope the blue line gets new cars soon! read more

Chicago Transit Authority - Blue line needs new cars. - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Throughout the weekend, there were considerable delays for the transit. We had an early 7:15 flight back home today and our transit was nearly on an hour delay. We missed our flight after running through the entirety of the airport shoeless. Regardless of waking up at 4:30 in the morning, the transit ruined our schedule. Homeless people sleep on the few available chairs. Trash scatters the floor. There is limited organization or authority for this transit system. Will not be going back to Chicago. read more

The motto of the CTA is "Take it", so I do. I have been around the world and have been spoiled by excellent public transportation systems in other countries. The CTA is pretty efficient along the lakefront mainly because of numerous bus routes. Otherwise the service is mediocre at best for the rest of the city. read more

Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago Transit Authority CTA - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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For all its faults, and there are many, the CTA rocks. I don't know how I would survive in a city that didn't have a public transportation system. Really, I am an impatient person and if I had to drive everywhere and fight for parking regularly I'd probably be in jail for road rage. So thanks CTA for keeping me on the right side of the law. I've been riding the CTA my whole life, way back before the days of the fare cards, Chicago Cards and those now defunct tokens. I remember the days of A & B trains and the conductor announcing each stop, which sounded like someone screaming into a mic with a mouth full of rocks. All I can say is kudos for all of the improvements, it's definitely made things more efficient and rider friendly! I know people know people are frequently dogging the CTA, but seriously people, like John B, most of my complaints are with the riders. Use some common courtesy once in a while! Here are some tips: * Say excuse me, don't just push by people * If the bus is filling up, put your crap on your lap * Don't clog the front of the bus or stand under the back sensor so the door inevitably jams and the driver has to come fix it * If the bus or L is crowded and there's an empty seat you're standing in front of take it; I don't care if you get off at the next stop, it creates room. Or move so someone else can. * Get up for the pregnant, elderly and handicapped * Tourists and infrequent riders do a little up front research, we all hate when you stand in the doorway playing 20 questions with the driver while we all wait. My 2 favorite things about the CTA? Chicago Card and Bus Tracker. Seriously, like other Yelpers have said the #11 has become my new BFF since getting added to bus tracker, and thanks for doing it just before winter too! Now please go and get the other routes I ride on bus tracker - double time! Bottom line: Despite some of its faults and sometimes smelly buses or trains the CTA is great. TIP: If you lose/break your Chicago Card, or if it blows out of your hand and gets run over by a train, you can order one online for pick-up or delivery OR you can go to the CTA office in the West Loop and get a new one on the spot. TIP: This trip planner works way better than the Google one http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com/ read more

There are positives here. The train services both the major airports of Chicago, and runs reasonably fast to the heart of the city and services a wide variety of other areas. It's ridiculously cheap. It's one fare to go anywhere in the system, unless you get on at the airport which costs twice as much (but still not a whole lot). The one employee I interacted with at length had no clue about places to eat near the station where she worked (odd), but was at least friendly enough to help with a few things. The downsides are that the trains are dirty, crowded, and look like they're from the '60s. It's a confusing system and it seemed I wasn't the only one who needed help understanding the ticketing, the gates, and the stops. Their machines don't give change. Many stops are not handicap accessible (and also a challenge for anyone with luggage). It seems like a broken down old system in need of major overhaul. As compared to public transit in my hometown (DC), there were two key advantages. One: nothing broke down while I was there. Two, at least they're not gouging on fares. read more

Some of these bus drivers young/older are just plain insensitive. I see elderly people STRUGGLING trying to get up on the stairs with their walkers and or chairs and the drivers don't have sense enough to let the ramp down for them. They either watch the person continue to struggle or look straight ahead as if they don't see the person struggling. Just plain insensitive and no type of common courtesy or customer service whatsoever. SAD . It is also a crime shame that there is no respect for each other on public transportation! Everyday someone or a group of people are on the CTA trains smoking cigarettes or weed. There are children on these trains and people with asthma, bronchitis or other health issues and you have the audacity to smoke in a closed knit environment. The part that kills me is that there are cameras on these trains and the conductors have been told about the smoking but nothing is ever done about it. All you can do is move to another car. Dam shame you can't even ride the trains in peace ‍ read more

For all of the talk about how much financial trouble the CTA is in, I expected their Customer Service Center on Lake Street to be in some dank basement . And based on the level of service I'd heard about, I had the mental picture of it being in a dungeon with apparatus for torturing those poor souls who need customer service from one of Chicago's least popular abbreviation agencies. If function followed form, the customer service center should be a beautiful experience. The second story of CTA Headquarters in the west loop is an airy, open space, and well climate controlled. The glass and steel design makes it seem like it would be space aged and fast. Kind of an anti-Secretary of State's office. In general customer service there was this potential pleasant experience. The Customer Service desk knew exactly what to do to replace an expired Chicago Plus card I had for which the replacement had got lost in the mail. The purchasing clerk who I saw first, on the other hand, seemed have no idea where my card was or what my desire was (that I wanted to pick up a new card and have the one lost in the mail cancelled). What was odd about splitting my transaction was that the customer service clerk seemed to have more information about my transit card than the purchasing clerk. The guy working Customer Service gave me a number on a post-it-note and told me exactly what to say to Purchasing. When I said these words, a glimmer of recognition crossed the face of purchasing and the transaction was done in two minutes. Why CTA has customer service and purchasing done by two separate people I'm not sure (I though they administered a lot of redundant administration). I'm glad they weren't together, however, or my experience with purchasing would have rated a pure one star (when I came back on Monday to find no replacement card). Customer service seemed like more of an ombudsman than anything. Just a recommendation: unless you know exactly what to ask, see customer service first and not second. All that being said, for cut-and-dry situations, purchasing has four windows running at lunch and the lines went incredibly quickly. If everyone was cross-trained in the service area at CTA headquarters, the overall experience would match the sleek design of the offices. read more

Chicago Transit Authority - The CTA lives in a really sleak building. - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Crain's Chicago Business and Time Out both just published broad editorials ripping CTA up one side and down the other. Why? Anyone who has ridden mass transit in another country will be disappointed. That's why I was disappointed on arriving in Chicago and witnessing the dilapidated state CTA is in. That was in 1996. And I was comparing it to Japan and Korea, where you don't need a car in any major city because you can take mass transit anywhere. And it's always clean and always on time. You can practically set your watch even by bus service in those countries. It's hard to put into words how malnourished mass transit is here, especially after the recent alleged ongoing "improvements". CTA is suffering from decades of neglect. Chicago taxpayers are missing out on so much more than they know. read more

Horrible service. Workers are rude as hell. The wait time takes forever and I'm always late for work. There is always a ghost train in the early mornings and late evenings. They need to have better workers who actually give a fuck about customers read more

Before moving to St. Louis, I would've given the CTA two or three stars. Many a cold January morning did I stand on the sidewalk waiting for my bus, only to see FOUR 22s or 36s all bunched together in a convoy, each bus unable to escape from the pack. Which bus will stop for you and which will blow past you? Which bus is jammed with people and which is nearly empty? Which bus will win in the weekly North-South Leapfrog Contest and get you downtown the fastest? This isn't nearly the extent of the problems with the buses, and I won't even address the trains here. But for all the CTA's quirks, its rude passengers and gruff drivers, and its downright maddening qualities, it is a comparatively well-run, efficient, cheap, reliable, and convenient method of transportation. Occasionally, one experiences per se awful or excellent service and Yelps about it, but by and large, reviews are written and stars are given to an establishment based on its relative performance to like establishments. I compare the CTA to the St. Louis and DC Metros. Based on the operation of those two outfits, without reviewing them here, I can confidently give the CTA four stars. read more

Cleaner on average than New York's MTA Reliable, short cars on the rail so stand in the center of the platform. For such a cold city they need those heat sections on the platforms. Beware the pigeons may act like they need the heat more than you do. How can I forget their transfer policy that makes me occasionally get annoyed with New York. The price is 2.25 like New York, but you can go from a train to another train or a bus within 2 hours and only have to pay .25 cents. How great is that? I want them to do this in New York. read more

They are not perfect by any means. I need to use them once in a while and am very grateful. When I was in between vehicles a couple years ago, I took CTA all the time. Considering the price of gas and the fact that you could go all the way from the end of Evanston to the South side of Chgo for 2 bucks makes you realize we have one of the best public transit systems in the country. If you don't like waiting too long for buses, call them or get a route schedule; they are usually not off by much. It will help alot, especially in winter. read more

Chicago Transit Authority - Public Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

please keep windows open for cross ventilation even if it's below freezing - a little discomfort will save us from the high risk of being in such closed quarters for a long time and let's face there's no adequate social distancing in a bus! keep top part of windows and drivers should make sure they stay open. many open the hatches on the ceiling of the bus on their own accord for some fresh air coming in - not all, but only some - all should do that as a minimum! if you know of a driver please ask them to do so, it will help save their lives and those of others. that said, my truest respect and thanks go to every bus driver being in a closed space for hours with many conscientious people and many more "indifferent," "lost" and "uncaring!" drivers, please keep the window to the left of your seat open some for you! read more