Chicago Transit Authority ridership numbers are down this year and may decline further due to the sweeping Red Line reconstruction project that began last month, according to CTA President Forrest Claypool.
The dip has caused an overall 2.6 percent, or $5.6 million, drop in revenue through April in the CTA 2013 budget. Transit officials blame the ridership decline, and subsequent loss of revenue, on the price increase in the seven-day CTA pass.