RTA publishes guide to riding transit again

June 18, 2020

As our state and nation continue to recover from the pandemic, public transit remains an essential service, responsible for transporting health care employees, emergency responders, and retail workers to jobs throughout the region.

The Chicago region is now in Phase 4 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan and the RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace are expecting an increase in transit ridership compared to when the "stay at home" order was in effect.

The RTA is sending regular e-mail communications about the COVID-19 pandemic, recovery, and effects on the transit system. Sign up to receive those e-mails here.

In addition, to prepare riders who may be using the system for the first time in several months, the RTA has published "Ready to Ride Again? A guide for returning safely to the Chicago region’s transit system." The guide provides five best practices for riding transit safely and consolidates information about how each transit agency is cleaning its vehicles, providing space for social distancing, and rebuilding confidence in the system.

No matter how you ride, remember:

1. 
   
2. Keep practicing pandemic hygiene: Wear a mask or face covering when riding. Wash your hands before and after traveling. Limit interaction with high-touch surfaces.
   
3. Social distancing still applies: Practice physical distancing by adhering to safe distance markers in stations and vehicles or staggering seating.
   
4. We’re all in this together: Try to be patient and allow for extra travel time. Be willing to avoid crowded vehicles, wait for the next train or bus, or move to another rail car, if necessary.
   
5. Use Ventra for contactless pay: Ventra allows for contactless payment on CTA, Metra, and Pace. See ventrachicago.com.
   
6. Stay home if you feel sick: Even as we move into recovery Phase 4, the phrase “stay home and save lives” still applies. If you feel ill, please stay home and if you feel you need medical attention, please reach out to your provider.
   

See the guide for more information about each service board, and share it with friends, colleagues, employees, and others looking to ride on the region’s transit network.