Study Finds Uber Usually Faster Than CTA, But Not At Rush Hour
CHICAGO (CBS) -- If you're weighing whether to Uber it or take the CTA, a new study may help you make the choice.
The Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University found UberPool, the most inexpensive offering from Uber, generally was faster than riding the CTA, after examining 50 rides over a three-month period.
The study found UberPool – which offers cheaper rides when the driver picks up other passengers – was faster 78 percent of the time, but cost on average four times more than the CTA.
"The 50 trips, it was faster on 39; but we found on about 20 to 22 of those trips, the difference is pretty inconsequential – 10 minutes or less. So you really have a lot of cases where people are just going to stick, of course, with the CTA, because of the price differences," said DePaul professor Joseph Schwieterman, director of the Chaddick Institute.
Schwieterman said the CTA performs best going to and from downtown during rush hour. UberPool is better late at night, and going from neighborhood to neighborhood where public transit does not have direct routes.
"UberPool is best when the CTA is at its worst. It's when your late at night service may be poor. Also, in rush hour, CTA is really a powerhouse; frequent service, traffic's bad on the streets," he said.