Transit

Building back ridership through a more efficient and predictable system

Northeastern Illinois’ transit system drives transportation in our region, getting people to where they need to be. Transit helps provide access to jobs, education, social services, healthcare, and more. It also helps keep cars off the roads, reduces congestion, and improves air quality. And the mobility enabled by transit helps our economy and quality of life.

The transit system includes train service from Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and bus service from Pace and the CTA, all overseen by the Regional Transit Authority (RTA). The transit agencies face an expected budget shortfall of $730 million in 2026. To address the situation, CMAP brought together representatives from the business, community, environmental, labor, and civic sectors to develop and submit the Plan of Action for Regional Transit (PART), which delivers recommendations that can help the region invest in a stronger and more financially secure transit system.

Plan of Action for Regional Transit

PART identifies options for the immediate funding crisis and outlines the vision of a reimagined and financially secure regional transit system for the region. Without action, the impending crisis has the potential to decimate service, cripple local economies and downtowns, and diminish quality of life for residents.

PART envisions a financially viable system that is regionally coordinated and comprehensive; safe, secure, clean, and efficient, and supportive of efficient land use. Its recommendations will help create the transit system the region wants:

Focus on transit service: Deliver frequent and reliable service, by restoring and investing in transit service, which will be key to meeting riders’ needs.

Provide integrated and affordable fares: Make it easier for riders to make payments, and offer more affordable options for low-income riders.

Enable faster and more reliable bus service: Take opportunities to improve bus speed and reliability, enhancing mobility for those who depend on the bus while attracting new riders.

Bolster public confidence: Improve safety, security, and cleanliness by making physical investments, increasing staff funding, and developing new policies.

Build back a ridership base: Foster more transit-supportive land use and development decisions, with incentives and policies (e.g., support Metra’s evolution to a regional rail service model, which typically includes fast, frequent, all-day transit service as part of a regionally integrated network).

Invest in a universally accessible system: Plan and fund accelerated physical system accessibility and bolster existing paratransit and demand-responsive transit services.

Plan of Action for Regional Transit

Improving equity in transportation fees, fines, and fares

The comprehensive analysis assesses how transportation fees, fines, and fares impact residents with low income and recommends policy changes to improve equity. Many residents with low income, particularly those without bank accounts, are unable to access I-PASS accounts and Ventra cards, which offer cost savings. Fines also disproportionately burden households with low income and can lead to late fees, high debt levels, and other negative impacts.

Mobility recovery

The comprehensive mobility recovery report covers key transportation trends that emerged from the pandemic, highlights regional best practices, and details solutions and actions our region can take to improve mobility post-pandemic:

Invest in a stronger and more financially secure transit system
Balance the benefits and impacts of ecommerce and other freight activity
Develop a transportation system that improves quality of life for all

Federal funding for transit and transit access

CMAP awards federal funding to advance projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle access to transit, improve bicycle infrastructure, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds projects that improve air quality and roadway congestion, and the Carbon Reduction Program focuses on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The Transportation Alternatives Program funds non-motorized transportation projects, including the Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails Plan. The Surface Transportation Program Shared Fund targets projects that address gaps in regional greenways and trails network due to physical barriers (such as a waterway, highway, or railroad) to bicycle and pedestrian movement.