Chicago's 'L' and Subway: 1.6 Million Weekday Riders (2019)

Before the pandemic reshaped urban transit, Chicago's rail system—the famed "L" (elevated) and subway network operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)—was moving approximately 1.6 million passengers on an average weekday, according to 2019 CTA reports.

This figure combines ridership across all eight 'L' lines (Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Purple, Pink, Yellow) and the subway segments of the Red and Blue Lines. The Red and Blue Lines, which run 24/7 and serve the densest corridors (North Side to South Side via the State Street Subway, and O'Hare to Forest Park via the Dearborn Street Subway), consistently account for the largest share of boardings.

Weekend ridership is typically lower, averaging around 900,000–1,000,000 on Saturdays and 700,000–800,000 on Sundays. Annual ridership in 2019 topped 500 million across bus and rail combined.

Post-2020, ridership plummeted and has recovered unevenly. As of 2023–2024, weekday rail ridership hovers around 50–60% of 2019 levels, reflecting hybrid work patterns, population shifts, and ongoing safety perceptions. The CTA publishes monthly ridership dashboards for those tracking the recovery.