CTA Bus and Transit Media Reaches Audiences Who Are Back on the Go in Chicago
Chicago, the third largest city in the U.S., is beginning to look more like its pre-pandemic self. Retail foot traffic across the city has returned to 100% of 2019 visitation numbers, with some neighborhoods surpassing 2019 levels. The United Center is open at full capacity for concert tours and the Chicago Bulls 2022 season, welcoming up to 23,500 people per event! And as of November, visits to workplaces in Chicago reached nearly 70% of pre-Covid baseline numbers. With all of that activity, domestic travel to Chicago has reached 110% of 2019 levels. As more people flock outdoors to resume their favorite activities this coming Spring and Summer, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus and transit advertising reaches them across their journey.
CTA ridership increases indicate a return to normal commuting patterns across Chicago:
- Ridership reached 19 million people in November 2021 alone.
- Ridership on the downtown bus routes have tripled since this time last year.
- Ridership on rail lines through The Loop have more than doubled since last year, up nearly 140%.
While ridership continues to increase, CTA advertising doesn’t just reach transit riders. Its buses, elevated rails, trains, platform media, video walls, and urban panels reach millions of pedestrians, drivers, and riders and covers more ground than a billboard campaign.
Meanwhile, the Chicago metro area is gearing up for a truly busy and exciting Spring for residents and visitors. These are just a few of the major events coming up over the first half of 2022 —
- Chicago Bulls Season (Jan — May)
- Major Concert Tours (Jan — May)
- Broadway in Chicago (Jan — May)
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March)
- Cubs & White Sox Opening Day (March)
- Chicago Pride (June)
Even through winter, key neighborhoods like Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Wicker Park, The West Loop and Logan Square are seeing a 100%+ return to retail visitation compared to 2019 numbers. Specifically, The Loop has seen consistent mobility increases over the last year with steady traffic during the week and weekends. CTA buses, trains, stations, and urban panels are a great way to engage these audiences while they’re headed out to shop, catch a game, watch a show, or grab something to eat.
With more appreciation and excitement for the world outside their homes, people are paying more attention to their surroundings. Advertising on CTA enables brands to reach this engaged Chicago audience right at the intersection of these new adventures and the daily journeys they’ve missed.
Interested in advertising in Chicago? Contact us!
