Learn about the latest News & Events for CTA, and sign up to receive news updates.
Add this issuer to your watchlist to get alerts about important updates.
Learn about the latest News & Events for CTA, and sign up to receive news updates.
Proposed operating budget holds the line on fares, and not only maintain current service levels, but aims to continue building on recent successes
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today proposed a $2.16 billion operating budget that keeps fares at current levels, delivers more bus and rail service hours than provided in 2019, and fuels new and ongoing investments to either expand or modernize existing infrastructure, while also evolving current systems to meet modern transit riding needs.
The proposed spending budget reflects an 8.1 percent increase (or $161.1 million) over the previous year’s budget and supports CTA’s ongoing workforce initiatives for hiring, training and retaining key operations personnel to provide service levels that exceed 2019/pre-pandemic levels.
This proposed operating budget also offers opportunities for the CTA to continue to innovate and seek out new measures for improving key areas of the transit riding experience, including enhanced customer communications; improved transit connections and services; and ongoing investments to provide cleaner, brighter, safer, more modern and accessible facilities.
“Our workforce of 10,000 has put forth an impressive effort to ensure CTA either reached its goals or is on the path to do so by the end of the year -- including increasing ridership, restoring our service levels to pre-pandemic levels, and making significant progress in advancing system improvements,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “And I am truly excited about what’s in store for 2025 as we build on this momentum and look to add even more service, improve accessibility, begin work to expand our system, and continue our investments in our personnel, infrastructure and fleets.”
Progress Made in 2024
At the start of 2024, CTA set-out to address three major goals: continue building ridership; strengthen our workforce; and restore bus and service levels to pre-pandemic levels.
The CTA, plus regional transit agencies Metra and Pace, are facing a post-pandemic fiscal cliff—a $730 million combined budget shortfall expected in FY2026. This deficit is a direct result of an inadequate state funding formula, passed in 1983, that has been further exacerbated by the ridership and revenue declines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While there has been increased public transit funding since 1983, many of those funding changes have not kept up with the cost of employee wages and pension payments which required systemwide service cuts in the past to afford.
Despite the financial challenges, the CTA continues to look for ways to operate more efficiently and effectively, while also lobbying and appealing elected officials to reimagine how public transit is funded. With a new funding formula and support for transit equity from elected officials, CTA can make transformational change in terms of how it supports and provides transit service in the Chicago region.
Plans for 2025 and Beyond
The CTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Program—which is separate from the agency’s operating budget—calls for $6.96 billion in projects over the next five years. This budget reflects CTA’s ongoing commitment towards the modernization and improvement of its physical infrastructure—tracks, rail stations, buses and trains, facilities and technologies.
Key capital projects to continue or begin in 2025 include:
Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One: Substantial completion of Phase One project work in 2025, which includes the reconstruction of the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr Red Line stations and adjacent track structures.
Red Line Extension (RLE): The anticipated start of work to extend the CTA’s busiest rail line to the southern City limits is anticipated in 2025. This transformational project will provide greatly improved transit access and connectivity to the Far South Side of Chicago.
All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP): In 2025, CTA plans to open six newly accessible stations: Lawrence, Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, and Argyle as part of the Red Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project; Racine as part of the Forest Park Branch Rebuild; and the Austin on the Green Line. Further, approximately $37 million in funding has been secured for systemwide elevator replacement work, which is also expected to begin in 2025.
Rail and Bus Fleet Modernization: Increased production of the 7000-series–CTA’s newest generation of railcars. Plus, ongoing quarter-life overhauls of the agency’s 5000-series. Plus, the continuation of efforts to gradually update our facilities to support the operation of electric buses.
Operations Control and Training Facility: Advancement of plans to construct a new
state-of-the-art facility in the West Garfield Park neighborhood to house the CTA's 24/7 control center, which oversees all bus, rail, and power operations, as well as over 250 employees. The facility will also serve as the primary training center for CTA's workforce of over 10,000 employees.
More information on the proposed 2025 budget is at transitchicago.com/finance/.
A public hearing will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at CTA headquarters located at 567 W. Lake Street, second floor conference room, Chicago, Illinois 60661. The facility is accessible to people with disabilities.
At the public hearing, an American Sign Language interpreter and a Spanish interpreter will be provided. Individuals with disabilities who require other accommodations to review the budget or provide feedback should contact the Office of the Board Secretary at Boardoffice@transitchicago.com or by calling 312-681-5022 or contact Relay.
CTA will afford an opportunity for interested persons or agencies to be heard at the public hearing with respect to social, economic, environmental and other related aspects of the Proposed 2025-2029 Capital Program of Projects, 2025 Operating Budget and Program and the Financial Plan for 2026 and 2027. Written and oral comments will be taken into consideration prior to adoption of the Proposed 2025-2029 Capital Program of Projects, 2025 Operating Budget and Program and the Financial Plan for 2026 and 2027.
WRITTEN STATEMENTS. Written comments may be submitted for consideration in the following manner: by correspondence addressed to Chicago Transit Authority, Office of the Board Secretary, 567 W. Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661; by hand delivery to the above address turned in to the first floor mail room; by fax to 312-681-5035; or by email to Boardoffice@transitchicago.com. Written comments must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
ORAL STATEMENTS. Members of the public who wish to speak at the public hearing are encouraged to register prior to the hearing, by completing and submitting a Request to Speak form online at transitchicago.com/finance by 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Persons wishing to provide an in-person oral statement at the public hearing will be announced to deliver their remarks during the public hearing. Persons wishing to deliver their remarks via dial-in must indicate the dial-in option on the Request to Speak form. Registered speakers who have opted to dial-in will be called by CTA, at the telephone number provided on their Request to Speak form, during the Thursday, November 7, 2024 hearing to be connected to the public hearing proceedings.
REGISTRATION AT THE TIME OF THE HEARING. Members of the public may also make in-person requests while the hearing is in process. Such requests will be accepted between 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Individuals who pre-register to speak will be heard first. Individuals who request to speak while the hearing is in progress will then speak in the order their request was received.
Chicago Transit Board approves contract to design and build the RLE, including four, fully accessible Red Line stations on the Far South Side; project groundbreaking expected late 2025
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has taken the next major step in the transformational RedLine Extension (RLE) Project by selecting an experienced contracting team, Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners, to design and build the 5.6-mile extension of the Red Line from 95th Street to 130th Street, including four new Red Line stations.
The Chicago Transit Board today approved the award of a $2.9 billion contract to Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners following a comprehensive, two-year procurement process.
RLE is the largest project in CTA history and will provide faster connections from the Far South Side to the rest of the city while serving as an economic catalyst to one of the most disinvested parts of Chicago. The RLE is a transit equity project that fulfills a commitment to the Far South Side by significantly improving transportation to this part of the city with 5.6 miles of new track and four new fully accessible rail stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan near 116th and 130th Street.
By selecting the team that provided the best value to design and build the RLE Mainline Project, the CTA has reached yet another significant milestone for this historic project.
The RLE is a critical project for Chicago because:
“The Red Line Extension corrects past transit inequity and increases access to the most affordable transportation in the city. Hiring the contracting team that can provide the best value to the CTA to construct the RLE is a consequential step that demonstrates our vow to build this project,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “The CTA’s Red Line Extension Project is an example of how transportation dollars can be distributed to have lasting impact on the Far South Side including workforce and small business opportunities that create jobs and support families.”
RLE Design-Build Contractor
The Chicago Transit Board today approved the award of a $2.9 billion contract to Walsh-Vinci Transit Community Partners, which will engineer, design and build the Red Line Extension Mainline Project. The contractor was selected following a nearly two-year comprehensive procurement process. The contracting team will be responsible for building the Mainline project, which includes:
Construction is expected to start in late 2025 and be completed by 2030.
To find and select a contractor to design and build the project, CTA underwent a two-step procurement process to select the most qualified contractor that provides the best value to CTA.
The first step was issuing a Request for Qualifications in 2022 to find contracting teams that had the experience and ability to build a large, complex rail project like the Red Line Extension. CTA subsequently qualified three contracting teams, including FH Paschen, Ragnar Benson, Milhouse and BOWA Joint Venture, Kiewit Infrastructure and Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners. CTA issued a Draft Request for Proposals to the potential bidders followed by a Final Request for Proposals in September 2023.
Following the rigorous two-year bid process, CTA determined that the proposal submitted by Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners provided the best value to CTA. In considering the bids, CTA considered the technical proposals on how the project would be built and the proposed cost. The Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners team brings to CTA its local, national and global transit construction experience.
Walsh-Vinci’s proposal was selected because it provided an innovative design and construction approach that will minimize impacts to community. Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners includes Walsh Construction, VINCI Construction, EXP, Systra, and other subcontractors.
CTA and the contractor will hold public meetings as design and construction planning begins on this exciting project. The contractor will work closely with local communities and CTA customers on construction impacts to neighborhoods and service.
Project budget and construction costs
The project’s budget has increased to $5.3 billion, which includes financing expenses, to cover cost increases for construction materials, labor and financing. The prior project budget was $3.6 billion before finance charges and $4.1 billion including financing costs. CTA is moving forward with the project to fulfill the long-ago promise to the Far South Side that the RLE would be built. Delaying the project would potentially increase the budget by several billions of dollars. Factors affecting the RLE project budget change include:
CTA intends to secure funding for the budget increase with CTA-issued bonds.
Workforce and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)-certified small businesses
The project will also generate long-lasting economic benefits for the Far South Side via small business and workforce/career opportunities with RLE and CTA, as well as new economic development in the project area.
Walsh-VINCI’s workforce goals for the contract as a percentage of total labor hours includes:
Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners has committed to actively talking with union trades, workforce assistance agencies and other transit peers to establish partnerships and pipelines to connect individuals to training and career opportunities.
CTA assessed DBE goals on the contractor for including DBE-certified contractors, including 25 percent for project design and 22 percent for project construction.
Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners will host targeted outreach events with CTA to educate potential-DBE firms on the certification process and inform the DBE small business community and career-seekers on upcoming opportunities.
CTA also has various supportive services to assist small businesses including our Driving Small Businesses the Distance monthly webinar, our Small Business Educational Series, and our financial capacity and technical assistance program, Building Small Businesses.
To assist career-seekers interested in the construction industry, CTA has two sets of workforce assistance agency partners to provide training and support. The first group, our pre-apprenticeship providers, include Chicago Women in Trades, Metropolitan Family Services, and Revolution Workshop. The second group, our placement partners, include Chicago Women in Trades and Hire360.
Current project work
CTA announced earlier this year that it will begin performing advance construction work this fall, including demolition of properties acquired for the project and advance utility relocation, which includes removing wires and poles and relocating utility equipment ahead of major construction in late 2025.
Project benefits for surrounding communities
The Red Line Extension will offer many benefits to the Far South Side and its residents, including:
For more information about the Red Line Extension Project, visit CTA Red Line Extension Project - CTA (transitchicago.com)
©2024 Chicago Transit Authority
Phone: 1-888-YOUR-CTA
TTY: 1-888-CTA-TTY1 or 711 (relay)
Email:
feedback@transitchicago.com
Please use the below link to access all Chicago Transit Authority news and press releases.
CHICAGO, DEC. 14, 2023 – The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors voted today to adopt the 2024 regional transit operating budget and 2024-2028 capital program, which uses federal relief funding to support operations as pandemic recovery continues. Making transit more seamless and affordable will remain a focus for the RTA, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace.
“In 2024, we anticipate breaking pandemic-era ridership records, and the region’s transit agencies will collaborate in new and innovative ways to provide more reliable, seamless and affordable transit service while advocating together for the increased funding we need to support our system’s future,” said RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden. “Because with increased and sustainable funding, we can achieve a system that will continue to thrive for generations to come.”
The 2024 budget comes nearly a year after release of the new regional transit strategic plan, “Transit is the Answer,” which was adopted in February. That plan set a vision of safe, reliable, accessible public transportation that connects people to opportunity, advances equity and combats climate change.
The 2024 budget includes $3.924 billion for operations — an increase of nearly 10 percent over the adopted 2023 budget, which reflects significant operating expense increases due to continued service investments and added security, as well as inflationary increases in labor, fuel and other expenses.
Federal relief dollars distributed by the RTA early in the pandemic will continue to support transit operations of the CTA, Metra and Pace for the upcoming budget year, but will begin to deplete by the end of 2025. An annual shortfall of more than $730 million is expected starting in 2026, a nearly 20 percent hole in the operating budget that, if unaddressed, would lead to dramatic service cuts, fare increases or both, disrupting the region’s economy, workforce and communities. Sustainable operating and capital funding must be secured not only to close the budget gap, but also to improve the system for the next generation. Building off “Transit is the Answer,” RTA has developed a legislative agenda for 2024 that focuses on securing funds to address the impending budget gap while also reforming transit funding policy to sustain the system into the future.
An estimated 80 percent of pre-pandemic riders have returned to transit in 2023, and while some are riding less frequently, systemwide ridership continued to recover, approaching 60 percent of pre-COVID levels and amounting to more than 1 million rides per weekday. Service adaptations, such as providing additional buses and trains to capture riders who were stuck in Kennedy construction traffic, and fare programs such as continuing the Regional Connect Pass for people to travel seamlessly across all three operators, were just a few examples of how a stronger transit system encourages higher ridership. Additional focus on safety and security, reduced crime and station improvements has helped riders feel confident in the region’s transit system after several years of disruption.
The approved budget also includes the 2024-2028 Regional Capital Program of $5.975 billion, a 4.4 percent increase over the 2023-2027 program. Federal investment from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is flowing to the Chicago region, and funds from the 2019 state law, Rebuild Illinois, continue to be programmed, allowing CTA, Metra and Pace to make progress on the maintenance backlog and work toward regional goals of accessibility, equity and combating climate change. For the first time in this budget, the RTA is evaluating its capital program based on 15 new metrics included in “Transit is the Answer.” These metrics provide different lenses for analyzing the capital program and understanding how it is accomplishing regional objectives with the limited funding available.
The budget and capital program were released for public comment on Nov. 16, and the RTA presented to all six county boards in the region and held a virtual public hearing on Dec. 7, which followed similar hearings and comment periods by CTA, Metra and Pace for their respective budgets. These materials and activities are documented on the RTA’s website, and the 2024-2028 Capital Program is also available on RTAMS, the RTA’s mapping and statistics website. The RTA received over a dozen comments, primarily from residents concerned about the impending fiscal cliff, improved reliability and the progress of bus electrification.
Since the adoption of “Transit is the Answer,” the RTA has launched and grown a coalition of transit supporters. The Transit is the Answer Coalition meets quarterly with more than 100 members to discuss key initiatives of plan implementation, including safety and security, affordable fares and more. These conversations have directly guided programs as they have been developed and will continue in 2024. Join the coalition and subscribe to the RTA newsletter for updates.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today proposed a $1.99 billion operating budget that keeps fares at current levels, maintains the delivery of bus and rail services, with plans to add additional service to meet growing ridership demand—all while continuing to make important investments to upgrade and modernize the system.
The proposed spending budget reflects a 9.2 percent increase (or $168.2 million) over the previous year’s budget and supports CTA’s ongoing workforce initiatives for hiring and retaining key operations personnel, while also introducing several new measures that will help improve the overall customer experience with enhanced security and improved Ventra fare system features. This includes a new ChatBot for improved customer service, ongoing work with our transit partners at Metra, Pace and RTA to deliver innovative fare products, plus a new, dedicated program that will provide pre-loaded Ventra Cards to victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
“I deeply believe that an examination of an agency’s budget is all that is required to understand who and what it prioritizes. The CTA’s proposed 2024 budget puts a high premium on providing the highest levels of service, customer comfort, modernization and equity,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “I am pleased with the continued progress and positive trends that CTA continues to make, but we still have work to do to provide the service that I believe our customers deserve and expect. I am committed to returning more scheduled service to our bus and rail systems in 2024.”
CTA ridership grew steadily throughout 2023, reaching a pandemic-era high of more than 25.83. million rides during the month of September. Overall system-wide ridership for 2023 is forecasted to finish 12 percent higher than in 2022. Ridership is projected to increase further in 2024, approximately 5.7 percent over the 2023 forecasted ridership.
The continued strengthening of CTA’s workforce is critical to further improving the delivery of its services.
In 2023, the CTA made tremendous progress toward addressing this issue, hosting seven job fairs that attracted more than 3,000 potential employees, while hiring hundreds of new workers into a variety of positions. As a result of CTA’s ongoing aggressive recruiting efforts, it has already surpassed its goal of hiring 700 new bus operators in 2023, and anticipates hiring more than 900 bus operators by the end of the year.
CTA is also on track to hire approximately 100 bus mechanics in 2023, which is more than double the normal rate. On the rail side, almost 100 flaggers will have been trained and transitioned into rail operator positions by the end of 2023, which is significantly more rail operators trained than the number of rail operators historically trained in a year.
Overall, CTA is projecting to hire more than 2,000 new employees for the current year, also far exceeding the 1,200 annual hiring norm. CTA will continue to plan, monitor, and respond to the shifting employment landscape to meet its people and service needs. As such, CTA anticipates continued optimization of its service schedules to reflect its growing workforce–additional service is expected to be added in 2024.
Since the start of the pandemic, federal funding has been crucial to allow transit agencies across the country, including the CTA, to maintain their operations. Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan will help the CTA close a projected $473 million budget gap in 2024—and allow the agency to continue providing as much service as possible with its available workforce. Despite the financial challenges, the CTA continues to look for ways to operate more efficiently and effectively, and to best serve the region.
“While more and improved funding and investment is unquestionably the most important issue facing CTA finances, our number one priority is always the people who take hundreds of millions of rides on our system every year. It is incumbent upon us to work diligently to find better ways to serve them and improve their travel experience.” Carter added.
The CTA’s 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Program—which is separate from the agency’s operating budget—calls for $3.61 billion in projects over the next five years. This budget reflects CTA’s ongoing commitment towards the modernization and improvement of its physical infrastructure—tracks, rail stations, buses and trains, facilities and technologies. Among the many important investments is the Red Line Extension, which will extend the CTA’s busiest rail line to the southern City limits and will provide greatly improved transit access and connectivity to the Far South Side of Chicago.
Other capital projects to continue or begin in 2024 include:
More information on the proposed 2024 budget is at transitchicago.com/finance/.
A public hearing will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at CTA headquarters located at 567 W. Lake Street, second floor conference room, Chicago, Illinois 60661. The facility is accessible to people with disabilities.
CTA will afford an opportunity for interested persons or agencies to be heard at the public hearing with respect to the proposed 2024-2028 Capital Program of Projects, 2024 Operating Budget and Program and the Financial Plan for 2025 and 2026. Written and oral comments will be taken into consideration prior to adoption of the proposed 2024-2028 Capital Program of Projects, 2024 Operating Budget and Program and the Financial Plan for 2025 and 2026.
WRITTEN STATEMENTS. Written comments may be submitted for consideration in the following manner: by correspondence addressed to Chicago Transit Authority, Office of the Board Secretary, 567 W. Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661; by hand delivery to the above address turned in to the first floor mail room; by fax to 312-681-5035; or by email to Boardoffice@transitchicago.com. Written comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
ORAL STATEMENTS. Members of the public who wish to speak at the public hearing are encouraged to register prior to the hearing, by completing and submitting a Request to Speak form online at transitchicago.com/finance by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2023. Persons wishing to provide an in-person oral statement at the public hearing will be announced to deliver their remarks during the public hearing. Persons wishing to deliver their remarks via dial-in must indicate the dial-in option on the Request to Speak form. Registered speakers who have opted to dial-in will be called by CTA, at the telephone number provided on their Request to Speak form, during the Thursday, November 9, 2023 hearing to be connected to the public hearing proceedings.
REGISTRATION AT THE TIME OF THE HEARING. Members of the public may also make in-person requests while the hearing is in process. Such requests will be accepted between
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Individuals who pre-register to speak will be heard first. Individuals who request to speak while the hearing is in progress will then speak in the order their request was received.
At the public hearing, an American Sign Language interpreter and a Spanish interpreter will be provided. Individuals with disabilities who require other accommodations to review the budget or provide feedback should contact the Office of the Board Secretary at Boardoffice@transitchicago.com or by calling 312-681-5022 or contact Relay.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today proposed a $1.8 billion operating budget that keeps fares at current levels, maintains the agency’s commitment to improving service, and continues important investments to upgrade and modernize the system.
The proposed spending advances the CTA’s “Meeting the Moment: Transforming CTA’s Post-Pandemic Future” Action Plan, a multifaceted investment plan that focuses on responding to customers’ concerns and strengthening the foundations of the rider experience – more consistent and reliable service, safe rides, clean facilities, modern amenities, dynamic customer engagement tools, and a strong CTA workforce.
“Our proposed 2023 operating budget is both fiscally prudent and responsible, with a focus on further improving the essential transit services that Chicagoans rely on as the region continues to evolve from the pandemic,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “In the year ahead, we are committed to maximizing every dollar of our budget to both modernize our system and continue work on the strategic initiatives outlined in support of the guiding pillars of ‘Meeting the Moment’ Action Plan, which addresses the most pressing challenges facing our customers and employees.”
CTA ridership grew steadily throughout 2022, reaching a pandemic-era high of more than 5.5 million weekly rides the first week of October. Ridership is projected to increase further in 2023, approximately 9 percent over 2022 ridership.
To ensure that CTA meets that demand, the agency continues an aggressive, comprehensive recruitment program to address the biggest issue impacting service: attracting and retaining workers, especially frontline employees like bus and rail operators. Like businesses across the country, especially those in the transportation industry, the CTA continues to face workforce challenges related to the pandemic. The impacts of the Great Resignation, retirements, competition for workers and other factors means that the CTA does not have enough Bus and Rail operators needed to provide all scheduled service.
In 2022, the CTA made great progress toward addressing this issue, hosting eight job fairs that attracted hundreds of potential employees, while hiring dozens of new workers into a variety of positions. The agency has also worked closely with its operator’s union to help address a shortage of nearly 1,000 workers.
Additionally, the CTA continues to improve the digital tools used to provide customer information. Already, CTA introduced a redesigned, mobile-friendly Bus Tracker website, and continues to work on the data and algorithms that power the trackers, to make sure they are as accurate as possible.
Since the start of the pandemic, federal funding has been crucial to allow transit agencies across the country, including the CTA, to maintain their operations. Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan will help the CTA close a projected $390 million budget gap in 2023—and allow the agency to continue providing full service. Despite the financial challenges, the CTA continues to look for ways to operate more efficiently and effectively, and to best serve the region.
Additionally, the CTA remains focused on modernization and improvement of its physical infrastructure—tracks, rail stations, buses and trains, facilities and technologies. The CTA’s 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Program—which is separate from the agency’s operating budget—calls for $3.4 billion in projects over the next five years. Among many important investments is the Red Line Extension, which will extend the CTA’s busiest rail line to the southern City limits, and will provide greatly improved transit access and connectivity to the Far South Side of Chicago.
Other capital projects to continue or begin in 2023 include:
“Investment in transit infrastructure has always been an investment in a strong future for the city,” Carter said. “Further, continued investment in transit is directly tied to our city’s economic recovery, a way to promote jobs and opportunities at a time when the city needs them most.”
More information on the proposed 2023 budget is at transitchicago.com
A virtual public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. November 10, 2022. Due to public health concerns, the public hearing will proceed only virtually.
A link to view the hearing will be available at transitchicago.com/finance. Members of the public who wish to speak at the virtual public hearing are encouraged to submit their request prior to the hearing. Options for providing comment at the virtual hearing or for submission to the Chicago Transit Board on the proposed 2023-2027 Capital Program of Projects, 2022 Operating Budget and Program, and the Financial Plan for 2023 and 2024 are detailed below:
WRITTEN STATEMENTS: Written statements will be taken into consideration prior to the adoption of the proposed 2023-2027 Capital Program of Projects, 2023 Operating Budget and Program, and Financial Plan for 2023 and 2024. Written comments for the Chicago Transit Board’s review and consideration must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Written comments may be submitted in any of the following ways:
ORAL STATEMENTS: Members of the public who wish to speak at the virtual public hearing are encouraged to register prior to the hearing, by completing and submitting a Request to Speak form online at transitchicago.com/finance. Individuals registered online by Wednesday, November 9, 2022, the day before the hearing, will be called by the CTA, at the telephone number provided, during the November 10, 2022 hearing, to be connected to the virtual public hearing proceedings.
DIAL IN AT THE TIME OF THE HEARING: Members of the public may also dial-in, while the hearing is in progress, to request to speak, by calling 312-681-3091. Individuals who pre-register to speak will be taken up first at the virtual public hearing. Individuals who call while the hearing is in progress will then speak in the order that they call in.
At the virtual public hearing the CTA will afford an opportunity for interested persons or agencies to be heard with respect to social, economic, environmental and other related aspects of the proposed 2023-2027 Capital Program of Projects, 2023 Operating Budget and Program, Proposed Fare Reductions and the Financial Plan for 2023 and 2024.
At the virtual public hearing, an American Sign Language interpreter and a Spanish interpreter will be provided. Individuals with disabilities who require other accommodations to review the budget or to provide feedback should contact Gregory Longhini, Board Secretary, at GLonghini1@transitchicago.com, 312-681-5022 or Relay.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is the second largest public transit agency in the United States with more than 1,800 buses, 1,400 railcars, 9,000 front line operations staff, and a 2019 weekday ridership base of almost 1.5 million. We serve the City of Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs and we provide more than 80 percent of regional transit rides. CTA is the backbone of Chicago’s and the regional transportation network.
Similar to many industries, public transit was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic as ridership plummeted in March 2020 and commuting patterns changed for the long-term. CTA met this moment by delivering as much service as possible to the essential workers and transit dependent riders of the region throughout the pandemic. As vaccines rolled out and people began to return to a “new normal”, CTA began facing new challenges with a hiring deficit and growing bus and rail operator attrition impacting service delivery.
The COVID-19 pandemic is not over. CTA, along with several industries, is feeling the continued impacts of this new normal on our workforce and service. We are also impacted by other socio-economic conditions of the region we serve. Particularly, instances of crime and unruly behavior on our system are negatively impacting rider experience.
Meeting the Moment: Transforming CTA’s Post-Pandemic Future Action Plan aims to address these issues in the near-term, while also laying the foundation for a long-term transformation of the Agency. Our long-term goal is to align our growing transit network with new mobility patterns and ensure CTA is a first choice of travel for many riders in the region.
This customer-focused action plan is grounded in five key pillars.
These pillars are central to the CTA rider experience, and will be reinforced by near-term strategic investments, initiatives, and tools. As the Agency rolls out this action plan, our senior leaders will be seeking input from our customers and connecting with riders across the system, and the Agency will be working hard to recruit bus and rail operators to alleviate the workforce shortage. The engagement and roll-out of this plan will also inform a long-term strategic plan to prepare the Agency for success in a post-pandemic world.
Agency will use funds for purchase of new buses, vital bus facility upgrades and workforce development
Today the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) was awarded nearly $29 million in grant funds by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to be used towards the purchase of fully accessible, all-electric buses, as well as bus facility communication and safety improvements to accommodate the new vehicles. Today’s announcement marks the first major federal funding the CTA has received since unveiling its “Charging Forward Plan” earlier this year and is the latest step towards its commitment of converting to an electrified bus fleet by 2040.
"It's vital that the CTA system be sustainable, affordable, and efficient for both our residents and our environment," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "With this grant funding, not only are we taking steps to protect our environment, but we are leading the way for other municipalities. I'm pleased to see this award bring us one step closer to a climate resilient Chicago."
Building upon a decade of leading an industry shift toward bus electrification, the CTA unveiled “Charging Forward: CTA Bus Electrification Planning Report” in February 2022 as a blueprint for the agency’s route to a full electric bus fleet and bus operational infrastructure over the next 18 years. Converting a bus fleet of more than 1,800 vehicles is a complex undertaking and will require new buses as well as charging station infrastructure and significant electrical power upgrades.
“These funds, which were not originally anticipated as part of our ‘Charging Forward’ plan, will allow us to accelerate the expansion of our all-electric bus fleet, further highlighting the CTA’s commitment to deploying the cleanest and most energy efficient U.S.-made transit buses,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “This is the latest in our ongoing mission to deliver quality, affordable transit services that link people, jobs and communities – for today, as well as for the future of Chicago.”
A portion of the grant funds, $3.4 million, will be used to purchase 10 electric buses. The CTA is committed to replacing its older diesel buses currently in service with battery-powered, zero-emission, all-electric buses.
The bulk of the funds awarded today, approximately $13.2 million, will go towards upgrading the Chicago Avenue Garage located in Humboldt Park, which was identified as the first location to be fully modernized.
Routes operating out of the Chicago Avenue Garage serve an area that is 93% minority with 86% low income, which means CTA’s bus electrification efforts will bring significant environmental benefits to minority and low-income areas of Chicago where air quality is often worse and there are larger populations with health-related vulnerabilities.
The remaining portion of the grant funds, approximately $1.1 million, will be used for workforce development to help train CTA employees on how to maintain and operate the agency’s growing electric fleet.
Currently, there are more than 20 electric buses in the fleet that are operating along the #66 Chicago route, connecting the Austin neighborhood to the near West Side and Navy Pier.
CTA aims to prioritize routes serving South and West side neighborhoods historically overburdened by air quality issues for early equitable electric bus deployment and aims to electrify routes serving the 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line terminal in the next few years.
The grant funds are sourced through the FTA’s 2022 Low or No Emission and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program, which is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Over the next five years, the BIL will provide $5.5 billion for the Low- and No-Emission Program, which CTA will continue to pursue to further advance its fleet electrification plans.
For more information, or to view the Charging Forward: CTA Bus Electrification Planning Report, please visit: transitchicago.com/electricbus/.
New York, May 04, 2022 -- Moody's Investors Service has upgraded to A1 from A2 the rating on approximately $2.1 billion of outstanding senior lien sales tax bonds of the Chicago Transit Authority, IL. Moody's has also upgraded to A2 from A3 the rating on the roughly $52 million of outstanding Chicago Public Building Commission, IL's Building Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2006 that are payable from revenue received by the commission from the CTA pursuant to a lease agreement. The outlook is stable.
Lower prices on CTA’s most-popular passes continue to drive ridership; President Carter expands commitments to innovation, equity and inclusion
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today proposed a $1.75 billion operating budget that takes multiple steps to ensure that public transit remains a crucial part of the city’s continuing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The proposed spending plan maintains all the bus and rail service the region has relied on during the recovery. The plan also reflects a major realignment of fares and passes to better meet changing ridership patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CTA is proposing price reductions on its unlimited-ride passes and other customer-friendly enhancements to make CTA even more affordable, support the region’s ongoing recovery from the pandemic, and continue to drive a return to transit.
Though CTA ridership grew throughout 2021, it remains at roughly half of pre-pandemic levels. The one/three/seven-day pass-price promotion, launched as a pilot on Memorial Day 2021, generated more than 10 million rides over the summer months. Additionally, riders who used a promotional pass increased their rides by 56 percent more than those riders who remained using pay per use or pay-as-you-go.
In 2022, the CTA will build on the success of the promotional fares and make permanent the price reductions on its most popular unlimited-ride passes:
In response to the more flexible work environment many employers have put into place, CTA is lowering its 30-Day Full Fare pass price to $75 (from $105) and the 30-Day Reduced Fare pass price to $35 (from $50). Additionally, the CTA-Pace 7-Day pass will be reduced to $25 (from $33) to reflect the $5 premium for the shared pass with Pace Suburban Bus.
And, lastly, CTA will eliminate the 25-cent charge when transferring between CTA buses and trains or vice versa: Customers will now have two free transfers within a two-hour period of their first paid ride.
Throughout 2022, CTA will work with Pace and Metra to further streamline regional fares, including amending the Metra Link Up pass.
“The pandemic has strongly reaffirmed the importance of public transit to many in our city, including some of our most vulnerable populations for who transit remains a lifeline,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “Making our already low fares even more affordable not only ensures that we continue to meet the region’s needs, but encourages a return to ridership as businesses and offices welcome workers back.”
Since the start of the pandemic, federal funding has been crucial to allow transit agencies across the country, including the CTA, to maintain their operations. Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan will help the CTA close a projected $456 million budget gap in 2022—and allow the agency to continue providing full service.
Despite the financial challenges, the CTA continues to look for ways to operate more efficiently and effectively, and to best serve the region. In 2022, President Carter will create the CTA’s first-ever Office of Innovation, to focus on the evolving mobility industry, new technologies and practices, and bold new ways to improve the rider experience.
President Carter will also launch a new Department of Equity and Inclusion, which will support and expand upon the CTA’s already industry-leading efforts toward promoting opportunity, employment, training, economic development and other aspects of the agency’s commitment to equity and inclusion.
Additionally, the CTA remains focused on modernization and improvement of its physical infrastructure—tracks, rail stations, buses and trains, facilities and technologies. The CTA’s 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Program—which is separate from the agency’s operating budget—calls for $3.5 billion in projects over the next five years. Among many important investments is the Red Line Extension, which will extend the CTA’s busiest rail line to the southern City limits, providing transit access and connectivity to the Far South Side of Chicago.
Other capital projects to continue or begin in 2022 include:
“Investment in transit infrastructure has always been an investment in a strong future for the city,” Carter said. “Further, continued investment in transit is directly tied to our city’s economic recovery, a way to promote jobs and opportunities at a time when the city needs them most.”
More information on the proposed 2022 budget is at transitchicago.com
A virtual public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. November 11, 2021. Due to public health concerns, the public hearing will proceed only virtually.
A link to view the hearing will be available at transitchicago.com/finance. Members of the public who wish to speak at the virtual public hearing are encouraged to submit their request prior to the hearing. Options for providing comment at the virtual hearing or for submission to the Chicago Transit Board on the proposed 2022-2026 Capital Program of Projects, 2022 Operating Budget and Program, and the Financial Plan for 2023 and 2024 are detailed below:
WRITTEN STATEMENTS: Written statements will be taken into consideration prior to the adoption of the proposed 2022-2026 Capital Program of Projects, 2022 Operating Budget and Program, and Financial Plan for 2023 and 2024. Written comments for the Chicago Transit Board’s review and consideration must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Written comments may be submitted in any of the following ways:
ORAL STATEMENTS: Members of the public who wish to speak at the virtual public hearing are encouraged to register prior to the hearing, by completing and submitting a Request to Speak form online at transitchicago.com/finance. Individuals registered online by Wednesday, November 10, 2021, the day before the hearing, will be called by the CTA, at the telephone number provided, during the November 11, 2021hearing, to be connected to the virtual public hearing proceedings.
DIAL IN AT THE TIME OF THE HEARING: Members of the public may also dial-in, while the hearing is in progress, to request to speak, by calling 312-681-3091. Individuals who pre-register to speak will be taken up first at the virtual public hearing. Individuals who call while the hearing is in progress will then speak in the order that they call in.
Copies of the proposed 2022-2026 Capital Program of Projects, 2022 Operating Budget and Program and the Financial Plan are also available for review in standard size print and large print at the main office of the Regional Transportation Authority, reception desk, Suite 1550, 175 West Jackson, Chicago, Illinois 60604; at the Archer Heights Branch Library, 5055 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60632; Austin Branch Library, 5615 West Race Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60644; Harold Washington Public Library, 400 South State Street, 5th floor, Chicago, Illinois 60605; Austin-Irving Branch, Chicago Public Library, 6100 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, Illinois 60634; Avalon Branch Library, 8148 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60617; West Town Branch Library, 1625 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622; Woodson Regional Public Library, 9525 South Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60628; Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, Illinois, 60201; Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 South Troy, Evergreen Park, Illinois, 60805; Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60301; and the Skokie Public Library, 5215 West Oakton, Skokie, Illinois, 60077
At the virtual public hearing the CTA will afford an opportunity for interested persons or agencies to be heard with respect to social, economic, environmental and other related aspects of the proposed 2022-2026 Capital Program of Projects, 2022 Operating Budget and Program, Proposed Fare Reductions and the Financial Plan for 2023 and 2024.
At the virtual public hearing, an American Sign Language interpreter and a Spanish interpreter will be provided. Individuals with disabilities who require other accommodations to review the budget or to provide feedback should contact Gregory Longhini, Board Secretary, at GLonghini1@transitchicago.com, 312-681-5022 or Relay.
