RTA proposes reforms to integrate fares, require accountability for faster and more reliable transit

February 5, 2025

RTA is proposing a historic restructuring of the region’s transit governance to maximize the impact of any new operating funding and ensure all riders experience an improved, reliable, efficient, integrated transit network. This is the second blog in a series exploring the RTA’s proposed governance reforms. These reforms include integrating fares and customer service and setting transit service standards to ensure riders have access to fast, reliable service guaranteed by a single accountable public agency.

On January 15, RTA released Transforming Transit, the agency’s vision for a world-class regional transit system with $1.5 billion in annual operating funding supported by a stronger RTA. While the impending regional operating budget gap is $770 million starting in 2026, independent agencies, including the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (the region’s designated planning agency for transportation) and advocates agree that $1.5 billion annually is needed from state and local sources to achieve the system riders deserve.

Integrated fares and customer service: Paying for transit is seamless and affordable across the network

To transform the customer experience, a strengthened RTA would serve as the rider hub for fares and customer service, launching a single, unified regional app and rider hub to ensure access to simple, easy-to-understand fares and discount programs for all riders.

Proposed responsibilities include:

• RTA leads a one-stop-shop contact center for all rider issues, including Ventra/ticket purchasing, free and reduced rider certification, and ADA paratransit certification
• RTA manages and sets all fare policy, including unified fare products
• RTA leads development of a universal app for all fare payment, consolidates special fare programs, and expands Access pilot for riders experiencing low incomes region-wide
• RTA sets uniform customer information design standards and centralizes deployment of real-time tracking information

For riders that means only one app to use when paying for fares, transferring modes of transit, or looking for transit information.

Service standards: Ensuring residents have access to fast, reliable service guaranteed by a single accountable public agency

To realize the vision of transforming our system, a strengthened RTA would set minimum performance standards for efficient, reliable, and safe transit services in different parts of the region. These standards would include required levels of coverage, hours, and frequency by mode and geography, and funding would be allocated in part by operators’ ability to deliver service that meets standards. Currently, the CTA, Metra, and Pace set their own schedules and deliver service, typically only reporting to the RTA once a year during budget season. There is very limited accountability built into this current process. But with an RTA empowered to set and enforce service standards, there would be more opportunities throughout the year to address service issues. This coupled with more operations funding could mean cutting wait times for riders by as much as 50%.

Proposed responsibilities include:

• Transit operators report quarterly to RTA Board on adherence to standards
• RTA Board votes to certify compliance or requires changes before granting additional funds
• RTA can use the available discretionary funds to pay for new routes or services that fill gaps in network.

For example, on-demand services could be used to fill last-mile or late-night gaps in service, or riders could call for a subsidized ride from an on-demand service if fixed route bus or train runs are canceled.

More on how a strengthened RTA can achieve a fully integrated transit system without full consolidation of CTA, Metra, and Pace will be explored in future blog posts.

Join the Transit is the Answer Coalition

While Transforming Transit envisions service improvements with sustainable investment, Illinois policy makers must reach a transit funding solution by spring 2025 to avoid service cuts of up to 40%. The RTA is working with policy makers at all levels of government to develop sustainable funding solutions and improve the system for all riders. Join the Transit is the Answer Coalition to help bring about the legislative changes needed to support transit at this pivotal moment.

This is the second in a series of blogs exploring the RTA’s proposed governance reforms. Subscribe to the Regional Transit Update newsletter to be notified as the full series is released.