(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Chicago police issued more than 6,300 citations last year to people who were smoking on CTA buses or trains or in stations, officials said.
The amount of violation notices – 6,385 in total -- is more than any year since 2019.
“Smoking on CTA trains, buses and stations is not just illegal, it’s thoughtless,” CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. said in a news release. “Not only is it a public health issue for those inhaling second-hand smoke, but it’s a nuisance to others who just want an enjoyable transit riding experience.”
By comparison, police issues 4,024 smoking citations in 2022; 4,341 in 2021 and 4,530 in 2020. In 2019, CPD issued 6,494 citations.
The CTA received more than 1,000 complaints from customers last year about people smoking on the transit system. The Red and Blue lines, which run 24 hours, received the most complaints with 438 and 313, respectively, officials said.
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