Ridership performance in 2012 follows an increase of 2.9 percent in 2011, making this one of the strongest two-year periods in CTA's history.

Rail ridership for the year increased to its highest level in 50 years, increasing by 9.5 million rides, or 4.2 percent, to 231.1 million rides.

"Public transportation plays a vital economic role in the Chicago region and this historic growth reflects the need for continued investments across the system," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "As we continue to heavily invest in the transit system as a whole, these trends will continue, creating jobs throughout Chicago and improving the prospects of Chicagoans from every neighborhood."