Well if they looked into why they're at low ridership.. they'd probably see that they're doing a poor job. (In the states) I can't speak towards other systems

Well if they looked into why they're at low ridership.. they'd probably see that they're doing a poor job. (In the states) I can't speak towards other systems but the CTA in chicago is having issues with: 1. Actually keeping a schedule [we've been lied to about wtih them adhering to their frequency schedule they advertisesd] 2. Safety in the trains [people are using the trains to smoke, drink, deface, start fights, and live there] 3. Being reliable. There are times where they just won't run for 20-40 minutes. That makes it hard to want to use it. But they're claiming "oh we don't have enough bus/train drivers" .. yet they haven't been doing anything about it and let people go during the lockdowns. The ease of payment isn't really a big deal with people who live and depend on these the most. (They're the 80%+ of the ridership)