Commuters on Chicago’s North Side are set to see an improvement in their transit options. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has officially announced an extension of the #9 Ashland bus route to better connect the bustling corridor to the Ravenswood Metra station. Effective starting Tuesday, September 3rd, this expansion is primed to serve an additional 21,000 residents and offer proximity to an extra 15,000 jobs, as reported by Transit Chicago.
With the #9 Ashland route already moving more than 16,000 passengers on an average weekday, CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. expressed that the extension is a strategic move to not just rebound to pre-pandemic service levels but to "provides an opportunity not just for ridership recovery— but for long-term growth." According to statements obtained by Transit Chicago, the extension aims to further enrich the city's transit framework by meshing key transportation veins—adding connections to the Metra UP-North line and other critical bus routes including the #78 Montrose and #81 Lawrence.
In response to the CTA’s decision, 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin shared enthusiasm for the increased access to public transportation this brings to his constituents. He highlighted particularly positive feedback from parents and individuals with disabilities who anticipate greater ease in accessing work, schools, and local businesses. "We are pleased the CTA is improving connectivity between its riders and ours at the Ravenswood Station," added Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski in a showing of support for the coordinated service improvements.
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