Chicago: CTA Ridership Fell Short on Purple Line Pilot

July 13--Chicago Transit Authority officials announced Monday that the later Purple Line Express train won't go beyond the recently concluded trial period, saying ridership numbers didn't justify continuing the pilot program.

CTA officials worked with the city to launch a six-week-long pilot program that ran from June 1 through July 10 to help test demand for later service.

To test interest, the pilot program added an extra evening train along the Purple Line Express between the Loop and Evanston/Wilmette, running roughly an hour and half later than usual.

"At the conclusion of the pilot, the CTA's ridership analysis showed that unfortunately, the ridership fell short of the pilot's goals," said Jeff Tolman, the CTA's spokesman, "with an average of only 89 passengers per train for a round trip versus the 468 passengers per train for a round trip needed to justify making the service permanent."

He said the CTA would not continue the service due to a "lack of demand." .....................(more)

http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/14036808/cta-ridership-fell-short-on-purple-line-pilot