The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced it set a new record of 1.1 million rides on its rail system for the Cubs World Series parade and rally on Friday, Nov. 5. Total system ridership across bus and rail surpassed 1.9 million rides that day, making it the second highest ridership day on record.
“The last few weeks have been historic, as all of Chicago has come together to celebrate a sports championship that’s touched every corner of the city,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. “We're pleased to be able to work together with all the city agencies to help Chicago celebrate such an historic occasion.”
The new record of 1,146,349 riders on the rail system surpassed the recent record by more than 220,000 rides set during the first home game of the Cubs World Series on October 28. The mark was nearly 50 percent higher than CTA’s average weekday rail ridership.
Rail ridership was near record highs for several other Cubs games as well. Overall, four of the ten highest rail ridership days on record were achieved during the 2016 Cubs historic playoff run. Three Cubs games from 2015 are also in the top 10 on record, meaning the Cubs helped CTA provide seven of its ten highest rail ridership days on record in just the last two years.
CTA provided extra service on 7 of its 8 rail lines during the morning and afternoon of the Cubs World Series parade and rally. Throughout the Cubs historic playoff run, CTA provided extra service on the Red Line and on a number of bus routes that serve Wrigley Field.
CTA bus and rail system personnel along with information specialist volunteers helped ensure fans reached their destinations before and after the historic celebration.
On an average weekday, CTA provides approximately 1.6 million rides across its buses and trains.
CTA’s Highest Rail Ridership Days:
- Nov. 5, 2016 - 1,146,349 - Cubs parade and rally
- Oct. 28, 2016 - 918,723 - 2016 Cubs World Series Game 3
- June 18, 2015 - 914,768 - 2015 Blackhawks parade
- June 28, 2013 - 894,811 - 2013 Blackhawks parade
- Oct. 21, 2015 - 882,188 - 2015 Cubs NLCS Game 4
CTA’s Highest Total Ridership Days:
- July 3, 2008 - 2,049,519 - Fourth of July celebration
- Nov. 5, 2016 - 1,945,250 - Cubs parade and rally
- Nov. 4, 2008 - 1,938,738 - President Obama’s acceptance speech
