CTA: '08 ridership will hit record levels

Chicago Transit Authority officials say ridership will hit a 16-year high even as fares are set to increase.

CTA President Ron Huberman says the agency has surpassed 500 million rides for the year and is on track to surpass the 508 million mark set 1992. He says people are choosing to use public transportation over driving despite the recent drop in gas prices.

The agency says ridership has increased 5.5 percent system-wide, with an increase in bus ridership of 6.7 percent over 2007 and an increase of 3.8 percent on the rail system. Huberman predicts that 528 million rides will be recorded by Dec. 31.

The next day, fares across the system will increase by 15 percent. The agency's board approved the increase Nov. 13.