Always late, everything smells like weed and more: Here’s what nearly 2,000 CTA riders say about riding the L and buses

Nearly 2,000 CTA riders, including those seen here, responded to the survey. The biggest complaints were about delays, “ghost” buses and safety. (WBEZ)

The CTA — the second-largest transit system in the United States — spent 2022 trying to bounce back from a slew of challenges: the pandemic wiping out ridership in transit systems across the country, prompting shortages of bus and train operators and boosting a massive culture shift toward remote work.

None of that is much solace to John Wilmes, a professor at Roosevelt University who is pursuing a career change so he can work remotely after commuting for 12 years.