7 Months Later, Business Owners Reflect on No. 11 Bus Cut

By Andy Ambrosius, Carrie Frillman and Sarah Flagg

Seven months after the controversial cancelation of a significant portion of the Lincoln Avenue Bus route, business owner Sarah Chazin says little has changed.

“There's been one employee that used it, but other than that, nothing,” she said, referring to her Sacred Art store in Lincoln Square. “There hasn't been a decrease in sales since the cut.”

The Chicago Transit Authority's September decision to nix the route between Western and Fullerton avenues left politicians, residents and business owners clamoring. 

Several local business owners spoke out, saying they relied on the line to bring them customers. They disagreed with the CTA's argument that the bus was a duplicate of the Brown Line.

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Even more residents opposed the cancellation, calling it their lifeline to complete simple tasks like grocery shopping. Despite public outcry, the bus line was eliminated from the CTA's 2013 budget, ending service on Dec. 16.

But after checking in with numerous Lincoln Avenue businesses this past week, one tune replayed—there’s been no negative impact on customer vibrancy. Officials at Trader Joe’s at 3745 N. Lincoln Ave. actually said just the opposite.

“A decrease in customers? Not at all,” said store manager Ashley Miklasz. “We do a customer count on a weekly basis here, and we’re actually up from before.”

The bus served around 5,500 riders each week—2,500 of whom were directly affected by the cut. And when eliminated, route ridership was up since 2010. Three months in the past two years showed a decrease in riders.

Studies also showed that, unlike the Brown Line, riders were using the No. 11 bus to travel shorter distances within North Side neighborhoods like Northcenter, Lincoln Park and Lake View. Still, other Lincoln Avenue small business owners agreed with Trader Joe's.

Liam Minetti, an employee at The Grind Cafe, said she hasn't seen a change except for one customer. An 85-year-old man who used to take the No. 11 to the coffee shop has been coming in less frequently, or depending on rides from other customers. 

Regardless of the steady customer base, Heritage Bicycles General Store owner Michael Salvatore—who just announced that he's opening a related Lincoln Avenue venture—says he still think canceling the No. 11 bus was a mistake. He was among business owners who helped fight the CTA ruling.

“For us it was never about customers. Our customers travel here by bike or walking,” he said. “I was more concerned about the growth of Lincoln Avenue in general. Businesses who wanted to come here are turned off by the idea that there’s no central public transportation. So it did really stint the growth, I think.”