Have you heard the great news? The 2017 Trapeze User Conference will be in Chicago! We’re excited to bring our annual conference to a city that has a long history of public transit innovation – not to mention one known for its great food (hello, deep dish pizza!).
Wondering what Chicago has to offer? Ready to start getting excited for next year? Here are ten fun facts about Chicago and its transit agencies.
1. The so-called windy city
You may think you need to pack some windbreakers if you’ve heard that Chicago is the windy city – but there’s an ongoing dispute about the source of that nickname.
Some say Chicago became known as the windy city because of its boastful politicians in the 19th century – who became famous for boasting about Chicago as the “Metropolis of the West,” which helped Chicago secure investment, workers, and involvement in infrastructure projects, such as railways.
Others suggest that Chicago is indeed the windy city because of its weather, thanks to the city’s lake breezes and the wind channels created by its skyscrapers.
We’ll have to ask the locals to settle this dispute for us.
2. The Chicago skyline
Chicago is known for its river tours where you can admire the Chicago skyline. Many movies, such as Home Alone and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, have incorporated Chicago’s grand skyline in them.
Part of the skyline is the Willis Tower (also called the Sears Tower), the second tallest building in the U.S., and the Tribune Tower, one of the most famous buildings in Chicago. In fact, the Tribune Tower includes rocks and bricks from famous landmarks all over the world – such as the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Abraham Lincoln’s tomb, and many more.
3. Chicago is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S.
Chicago has over 48 million visitors annually, making it one of the most popular American tourist destinations. Chicago boasts over 4,980 restaurants, 60 museums, more than 90 art galleries, 8,100 acres of green space, and over 225 miles of bike lanes. Some of its more popular attractions include the Navy Pier, Wrigley Field, and Millennium Park.
4. Famous people and inventions
What do Walt Disney, the Twinkie, the hot dog, and color TV have in common? They all got their start in Chicago.
Walt Disney was born in Chicago in 1901; the Twinkie was invented by Chicagoan Jimmy Dewar; while the hot dog’s origins vary, it became well-known at the World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as The Chicago World’s Fair; and the first all-color TV station debuted in Chicago.
5. Downtown Chicago is nicknamed after its rail line
Chicago’s business centre is the second largest commercial district in the United States, and where more than a quarter of all the jobs in Chicago are located. So it’s no surprise that the elevated train stations which loop around this district are incredibly popular among commuters.
This area is famous for its striking architecture, Central Park-like hangout, Millennium Park, and the Cloud Gate, a bean-like structure that has become an iconic symbol of Chicago. This area is also known as “The Loop.” Don’t you wish your city was nicknamed after your transit system!
6. Chicago’s first public transit service was horse powered!
Chicago public transit system began in 1859 with horse-drawn streetcars. The original streetcars held just 18 passengers and operated at a speed of three mph.
In 1882, cable cars were introduced (able to travel at a speed of up to 14 mph). A few years later, the first overhead trolley car was introduced. By 1906, the electrification of horse car and cable car routes was completed.
In 1927, the first gasoline buses went into service, followed by the introduction of trolley bus service in 1930. If you’re keeping an eye out for these streetcars, you won’t have any luck finding them since Chicago ended streetcar service in 1958.
Luckily, their widespread bus, rail, and subway service more than make up for it.
7. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is the second largest public transportation system in the U.S.
CTA services a population of about 3.5 million, with over 1.6 million rides taken on an average weekday. In order to accomplish this feat, CTA has 1,888 buses operating on 130 routes. Their rapid transit system has 1,492 rail cars, operating eight routes.
Chicago is also one of the few cities in the world that has rail service to both of its major airports – O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport.
8. Pace leads the way when it comes to accessibility
Before the Americans with Disabilities Act was established, Pace was already providing passengers with disabilities with “Section 504” service. Because of its history of providing efficient, quality service for passengers with disabilities, Pace was awarded responsibility for ADA paratransit in Chicago from CTA, making Pace the largest provider of paratransit service in the U.S.
Pace also has one of the largest vanpool programs in the U.S. and is the regional ridesharing administrator for Northeastern Illinois.
9. Chicago goes green (and so does CTA)
For over 40 years, Chicago has turned its river green on St. Patrick’s Day. But that’s not the only thing about Chicago that is going green. In 2006, the CTA purchased its first diesel-electric hybrid buses, offering greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions, making them more environmentally-friendly.
10. Chicago is hosting the 2017 ThinkTransit Conference (Formerly User Conference)
Last but not least, Chicago is hosting the 2017 ThinkTransit Conference, formerly known as the User Conference! We are thrilled to head to a city with a fascinating history of public transit innovation – we know we’ll all learn a lot from them about developing transit agencies for the future.
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