In preparation for the 2025 legislative session, RTA is unveiling our bold, rider-focused vision for the future of transit, which details how an empowered RTA, supported by sustainable increased funding, can transform transit in the Chicago region. With riders at the center, this vision focuses on you and the transit system you deserve. Learn more and join us in supporting the future of public transit.
Read the RTA's vision for the future of transit and sign up to join the coalition at transitistheanswer.com/coalition.
Read the visionWhile the transit system’s budget gap is just over $770 million, independent agencies and advocates agree that we need $1.5 billion annually to achieve the system we need. RTA’s plan is to spend additional funds on what matters most: more buses, more trains, more service. Not on bureaucracy, but on results. That means:
A Chicago where public transit isn’t just an option, but the obvious choice for travel, is within our reach. Frequency unlocks freedom; the freedom to step outside and trust that a bus or train will be there. It’s the kind of freedom that transforms a city and connects a region. It also means safer commutes. Increased service frequency reduces wait times, ensuring safer stops for riders.
For every $1 invested in transit, the region sees $4 in returns, including business growth and higher property values. Investing $1.5 billion annual in our transit system would unlock benefits across the region. Transit is our region’s strongest tool in the fight against climate change. Fewer cars on the road mean cleaner air and less congestion.
It prioritizes increasing frequency across the entire metro Chicago transit system, cutting wait times by up to 50%, and expanding service to create a world-class reliable and accessible transit system for everyone.
With $1.5 billion in additional operating funding, service investments could include more frequency on existing routes, route extensions, more routes offering weekend and off-peak service, or new routes. Adequate funding would allow a strengthened RTA to oversee region-wide minimum service standards that cut customer wait times for transit in half.
We agree that funding must come with reform, which is why we are proposing a historic restructuring of the region’s transit governance. Rather than distributing key responsibilities across agencies as is done today, the RTA’s proposed reforms would result in one agency – the RTA – being accountable to riders and legislators on the most important systemwide issues: fares, service quality, and capital investment. That means:
Riding transit in the Chicago region can be disjointed as different agencies set service standards, fares, and decide on capital projects. The RTA is proposing one system with riders at the center. Required accountability such as having the RTA board certify quarterly service standard reports to receive discretionary funding would address issues that may arise. Simplified payment and integrated options would create an equitable and user-friendly rider experience.
A stronger RTA would play a key role in saving costs through consolidating similar functions. The RTA estimates and is currently working to detail overhead efficiencies of $50 million a year. Additionally, a fare increase of 10% would generate $50 million, bringing the agency and rider contribution to partly addressing the cliff to $100 million. A strengthened RTA would evaluate all major capital projects on key metrics including impact on accessibility, job access, equity, and climate.
We want to hear from you. Join the Transit is the Answer Coalition to give feedback on the vision and sign up for the next virtual coalition meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11.
