Nora Leerhsen, who has been serving as the acting president of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) since February 1, is making her case for the permanent leadership role following the retirement of longtime bureaucrat Dorval Carter Jr. earlier this year.
Her recent appearance before the City Council Transportation Committee showcased a stark contrast to Carter’s leadership style, which faced criticism for detachment from rider concerns regarding safety and reliability.
Hungry for change, nearly half of the 50-member City Council had previously signed a nonbinding resolution demanding Carter’s ouster.
In her testimony, Leerhsen highlighted her proactive engagement with the system, citing over 450 rides taken on the CTA within the past year.
She has also visited all seven CTA bus garages, nine rail terminals, and maintenance shops, demonstrating a commitment to understanding rider experiences firsthand.
Leerhsen outlined several advancements made under her oversight aimed at addressing issues that have hindered the CTA’s recovery post-pandemic.
One of her significant accomplishments includes the recruitment of over 5,000 employees in the last two years, bolstering service frequency and quality.
As a result, the CTA has succeeded in hiring 848 more bus operators than in 2022 during the pandemic, while rail staffing has reached 95% of pre-pandemic levels and continues to grow.
Interestingly, nearly half of the workforce now has less than two years of tenure, indicative of rapid organizational changes.
Another mention was the March launch of the
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