Chicago Rapid Transit Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rapid transit |
| Predecessor | Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad, Lake Street Elevated Railroad, Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad, Northwestern Elevated Railroad |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Defunct | 1947 |
| Successor | Chicago Transit Authority |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas |
Key people | Samuel Insull (associated with Chicago Elevated Railways Collateral Trust) |
The Chicago Rapid Transit Company (CRT) was a private enterprise that managed rapid transit rail operations within Chicago, Illinois and its surrounding areas from 1924 until 1947. This company played a significant role as a forerunner to the Chicago Transit Authority, which currently oversees mass transit in Chicago.
History
The formation of CRT was the result of years of consolidation driven by the Chicago Elevated Railways Collateral Trust (CER), an organization supported by utilities tycoon Samuel Insull. CER was instrumental in establishing financial arrangements and operational coordination, allowing passengers to transfer freely and travel continuously across previously independent lines—for example, enabling uninterrupted journeys from Ravenswood on the Northwestern 'L' to 35th Street on the South Side 'L'.
CRT unified multiple elevated railroads that operated in various parts of the city, including:
- Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad (operating since 1892),
- Lake Street Elevated Railroad (operating since 1893),
- Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad (operating since 1895),
- Northwestern Elevated Railroad (operating since 1900).
Until the inauguration of the State Street subway in 1943—which is now incorporated into CTA's Red Line—the CRT system was entirely elevated.
Following financial difficulties experienced by private transit providers after World War II, local and state government officials moved to consolidate transit operations. On October 1, 1947, the Chicago Transit Authority was established and took over CRT’s assets and services, marking the transition to public ownership of Chicago’s rapid transit network.