06.18.2021
Return to Transit? Surveying Chicago’s Current and Lapsed Transit Riders During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The pandemic drastically reduced transit ridership across the United States. In response, RSG worked with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) in Chicago on an innovative region-wide survey of current and lapsed transit riders. The findings have been used by RTA, its Service Boards (CTA, Metra, and Pace), and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to better understand their shifting markets throughout the pandemic and to then guide future planning and policymaking as the pandemic recedes.
On Friday, June 18 at 10:00 a.m. ET, RSG Consultant Alexander Levin will present an overview of the current and lapsed rider survey methodology and explore the key findings from the study as part of a webinar hosted by Transport Chicago. Alexander's presentation will spotlight the following:
- Findings we previously saw anecdotally but now have local survey data to confirm (e.g., who relied on transit during the pandemic).
- Findings that tell us where transit use might be going in the Chicago region (e.g., the role of telework).
- Findings that tell us what transit agencies can do to encourage a return to transit (e.g., where riders want future investment targeted).
Transport Chicago is an annual conference dedicated to the mission of improving transportation in the Chicago region and beyond. This year's conference is entirely virtual. It will also feature Donald Shoup as keynote speaker.
Click here to register for the webinar, which is free and open to the public »