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I think it's because the percentage of the population in the LA area who actually use mass transit is very low compared to the other top cities. When you look at how big the LA MSA population is, many feel that it's transit ridership numbers should be on par if not higher than Chicagoland.
I am aware of all the typical bias on this forum but it still carries far more passengers than all but a few transit systems. It's still a busy and very large system despite it not ranking very high overall on the percentage of commuters that use it.
Chicago's current rolling stock. I sure miss seeing those green and white classic 2600 car series with the folding doors. It was pretty cool seeing them roaring down the tracks with the bright flashing sparks illuminating the buildings.
Keep in mind Chicago is the largest over all rail hub system in the country and could easily expand it's passenger system. It was once the largest passenger rail hub center in the country during the 1930's. Chicago's CTA "EL" started in 1892. NYC subway started in 1904. DC's system is relatively new by comparison.
Largest rail transit systems outside NYC
1. Chicago:
Total stations: 385(Metra 240)(CTA 145)
Lines: 19 (Metra 11)(CTA 8) Track Miles: 711 miles
2. NJ Transit:
Total stations: 222 (Rail 162)(Light Rail 60)
Lines: 14 (Rail 11)(Lightrail 3)
Track Miles: 536 miles
3. Washington DC:
Total stations: 147 (Metro 86)(VRE 18)(MARC 43)
Lines: 11 (Metro 6)(VRE 2)(MARC 3)
Track Miles: 383 miles (Metro 106)(VRE 90)(MARC 187)
DC keep on building
Most systems other than NYC and DC have really bad ridership share. Chicago's system is way to large and Chicago has way too many people to have such low ridership. With an urban area as big as Chicago has, they should have about 3 million in rail ridership. It's actually pretty bad when everything is taken into account.
I think it's because the percentage of the population in the LA area who actually use mass transit is very low compared to the other top cities. When you look at how big the Los Angeles MSA population is, many feel that it's transit ridership numbers should be on par if not higher than Chicagoland.
True but just taking the LA Metro numbers then trying to apply that to the entire metro is inaccurate. That is for Los Angeles County alone.
Though to be honest, I don't see how percentage of metro that uses the transit really has anything to do with "busiest" system - that just shows how transit-oriented a city is (and LA still performs well for a US city). I think some combination of ridership per mile, track miles, weekly ridership and frequency is the best way to measure the busiest system.
But generally I have to agree that LA is not in the running for busiest outside of NYC - probably the busiest / best bus system though.
I am aware of all the typical bias on this forum but it still carries far more passengers than all but a few transit systems. It's still a busy and very large system despite it not ranking very high overall on the percentage of commuters that use it.
Agree about bias against LA, but la clearly doesn't have the busiest transit system outside of NYC. Top 5or6 sure but not busiest. So why should it be mentioned here?
Well the reality is The CTA is the second largest transit system in the country, and Chicago has the second largest transit ridership. Not sure how or why mass transit = rail
This is true. CTA is the second largest transit system in the nation and it should be. I don't think DC will pass Chicago in ridership till after 2030. DC proper is planning for a 75% non-automobile commuter share by 2020 which would pass NYC for #1. The 23 mile Metro Silver Line opens next year and that will really change commuting in northern Virginia. They are putting together a major feeder bus system into the metro rail system for Virginia which will really change the commuter share for the region.
Most systems other than NYC and DC have really bad ridership share. Chicago's system is way to large and Chicago has way too many people to have such low ridership. With an urban area as big as Chicago has, they should have about 3 million in rail ridership. It's actually pretty bad when everything is taken into account.
It clear you don't understand the CTA El, saying NYC has this ridership so Chicago should have this number doesn't work.
Red, brown, and Blue trains are jammed packed. The under performing lines all run through poor neighborhoods where a trip into the loop during rush isn't a priority.
Remember DC is a huge white collar city where as Chicago has a much larger blue collar presence.
If you want to see how "busy" a transit system is it's probably best to look at Passengers Per Revenue Hour and Passengers per Revenue Mile. Those two metrics are what Transportation Planners typically use to analyze how effective transit lines and sytems are. Overall ridership numbers or percentage of people using PT says little on how crowded and busy a transit system is.
Passengers Per Revenue Hour for Bus transit:
LACMTA: 50.4
Chicago CTA: 55.1
WAMTA: 34.7
MBTA: 45.9/44.7 (bus/trolleybus)
SF MUNI: 63.4/72 (bus/trolleybus)
SEPTA: 46.36/60.6 (bus/trolleybus)
Passengers Per Revenue Hour for HR transit:
LACMTA: 179.7
Chicago CTA: 63.2
WAMTA: 104.2
MBTA: 108.1
SEPTA: 114.7
Passengers Per Revenue Hour for LR transit:
LACMTA: 107.6
MBTA: 116.52
SF MUNI: 80.7
SEPTA (streetcar rail): 76.2
Source: FTA site
To say LA's transit system is not as busy as Boston, Philly, SF, DC, or Chicago is kind of ridiculous when it ranks right up there with metrics transportation planners actually use to gauge effectiveness of transit.
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