Table Of Contents - Chicago Transit Authority

2.0 Business Overview
2.1 OPPORTUNITY
CTA Express Airport Train Service Business Plan
Approximately 6.8 million people each year travel between Chicago’s downtown and O’Hare and Midway
airports 1 . A large number of these trips are currently made by taxi, private car, CTA rail service, or
express buses/vans. All of the options that use the highway system for these trips are becoming
progressively longer and less reliable, as airport travel increases without a proportionate increase in road
capacity. Rail transit can capture a larger share of the market by reducing travel time, improving space
and comfort on the train, and providing new customer services. With the future opening of a transit
center at 108 N. State Street, CTA is in position to seize this opportunity by providing convenient nonstop
service to O’Hare and Midway airports.
2.2 SERVICES
The proposed Direct and Express Services provide CTA customers with incremental benefits in
convenience, comfort, time savings, and travel time reliability. The Direct Service creates value for
customers primarily on convenience and comfort, with the later build-out of the Express Service providing
material time savings, and increased travel time reliability. In both cases, CTA’s service offerings, relative
to other airport access options, are more attractive.
Existing Service
Direct Service
Express Service
Figure 1: Direct and Express Service Attributes
Downtown - O'Hare Service
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
30
travel time, minutes
2.2.1 Initial Direct Service
45
45
greater convenience,
comfort
travel time savings,
increased reliability
Downtown - Midway Service
20
25
25
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
travel time, minutes
Existing Service
Direct Service
Express Service
In approximately two years, CTA can provide direct closed-door service to Midway and O’Hare airports
from the new transit station being developed at 108 N. State Street in partnership with the City and the
private sector. The Direct Service will accelerate the airport train service initiative, potentially enhance
CTA’s operating budget through payments from a concessionaire, and provide flexibility for phasing in of
the Express Service. The station will provide a downtown hub for air travelers with possible amenities
such as luggage assistance, remote check-in, and departure information. Train service leaving downtown
1 Based on Wilbur Smith Associates’ Airport Express Ridership and Revenue Forecast (2004) report. The report defined a study area
covering downtown areas from which it would be reasonable to use the Airport Express. Total trips were estimated at
approximately 18.5 million.
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