Chicago ‘L’ stations near offices have seen fewer riders return than those located near parks, Urban Institute analysis shows

CHICAGO — The CTA is facing a fiscal cliff exacerbated by fewer train and bus riders, and a new analysis points to some ways the city could bring back more transit customers — and which stations might be keeping the most.

The analysis, from researchers at the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Institute, found “L” stations located near offices lost the most riders compared to 2019, as fewer white-collar workers commute to work five days each week. But stations surrounded by industrial uses and open space, such as parks, brought back a far higher share of riders. Stations surrounded by a variety of destinations fared better than those dominated