Peer states pursue sustainable transit funding while Chicago’s fiscal cliff approaches
Beginning in 2026, Chicago’s regional transit system will face a projected $770 million annual budget gap. At nearly 20% of the annual operating budget, this...
March 13, 2025
Coalition members provide feedback on ‘Transforming Transit,’ RTA’s vision for improved service and accountability
Nearly 200 riders, advocates, and other stakeholders met virtually with the RTA on February 11 for the sixth quarterly Transit is the Answer Coalition meetin...
February 20, 2025
Why fully funding paratransit service and reduced fare programs is key to closing the transit budget gap
With transit facing a fiscal cliff in 2026, fully funding critical programs like ADA paratransit service and free and reduced fare programs is one key to clo...
February 18, 2025
For the third year in a row, regional transit ridership was up by double-digits in 2024
Ridership across the Chicago region’s transit system continued to increase throughout 2024, according to the latest data from CTA, Metra, and Pace. The regio...
January 28, 2025
RTA is seeking $1.5 billion in annual operating funding. What would that mean for your commute?
On January 15, RTA released Transforming Transit, a vision for the regional transit system with $1.5 billion in annual operating funding supported by a stron...
January 28, 2025
RTA proposes reforms to increase efficiency, transparency, and accountability across transit system
RTA is proposing a historic restructuring of the region’s transit governance to maximize the impact of new operating funding and ensure all riders experience...
January 24, 2025
What Chicago can learn from Philadelphia as the transit fiscal cliff approaches
Beginning in 2026, Chicago’s regional transit system faces a projected $770 million annual budget gap. At nearly 20% of the annual operating budget, this gap...
January 23, 2025
Voters overwhelmingly support transit nationally this election cycle
Voters across the nation were not only asked to choose their elected representatives this November, but in many states the future of their local transit syst...
November 21, 2024
State hearings show broad support for funding transit and increasing service across region
Lawmakers, local leaders, and transit stakeholders from throughout the region recognize the extraordinary value of the transit system and the need for sustai...
November 21, 2024
2025 Regional transit budget available for public comment, foreshadows risk to system’s future without fiscal cliff solution
The RTA has released the 2025 Regional Transit Operating Budget and Five-Year Capital Program for download and public comment. The budget comes as an operati...
November 15, 2024
Riders and regional officials call for sustainable funding, improved service at RTA’s Suburban Transit Summit
To gather feedback and build support for improving transit service with new, expanded funding, the RTA hosted a half-day Suburban Transit Summit in Arlington...
November 11, 2024
Why Illinois legislators must reach a transit funding solution by spring 2025—and what happens if they don’t
Chicago’s regional transit system is facing a projected operating shortfall of more than $730 million annually—or nearly 20% of the regional operating budget...
October 9, 2024
