The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) coordinates the Chicago region’s transit system, oversees its financing with transparency and accountability, and plans for a future with adequate, accessible, and equitable public transportation for the six counties of Northeastern Illinois.
In late 2022, the RTA will publish its next Regional Transit Strategic Plan, a guiding document for the future of transit in Northeastern Illinois. The plan will center three principles – Equity, Stewardship, and Commitment to Change – to achieve the vision of safe, reliable, accessible public transportation that connects people to opportunity, advances equity, and combats climate change.
The RTA uses data to measure the impact and effectiveness of transit in northeastern Illinois. Regular data collection, reporting, and analysis are core components of our commitment to transparency and accountability. These measures include passenger trips, average vehicle speed, on-time performance, fare revenue, operating cost, capital expenditures, and more.
View all transit data for northeastern Illinois on the RTA's Mapping and Statistics website, RTAMS.
RTAMS
In such a large and diverse region, collaboration is crucial to achieving a more seamless transportation experience for riders. As a regional body, the RTA works to bring together CTA, Metra, and Pace on everything from the pandemic response and climate action to installing signage to make it easier to transfer from one service to another. We also work with other government agencies, the business community, nonprofit organizations, and others to improve transportation options for all.
Regional collaboration
The way people move is constantly evolving and COVID-19 exacerbated trends that were becoming evident before the pandemic. To meet the changing needs of riders, transit needs to be flexible and willing to try new things. The RTA is committed to change and innovation through partnerships, pilots, and other projects around the region.
Learn how we are adapting
