On Track: A blog from NITA
Blog posts published prior to September 1, 2026 were written by the RTA and are maintained here for historical purposes.
Blog posts published prior to September 1, 2026 were written by the RTA and are maintained here for historical purposes.
New regional transit authority unifies CTA, Metra and Pace around shared vision for safer, more reliable and better-connected transitThe Northern Illinois Tr...
September 1, 2026
Plan
Why Illinois legislators must reach a transit funding solution by spring 2025—and what happens if they don’t
Chicago’s regional transit system is facing a projected operating shortfall of more than $730 million annually—or nearly 20% of the regional operating budget...
October 9, 2024
Invest
With equity at the forefront, CTA, Metra, and Pace open new facilities, prioritize upgrades in south and west communities
This year, CTA and Pace have opened or advanced various new facilities in south and west communities throughout the region, and Metra has prioritized upgrade...
October 9, 2024
Plan
CTA presents on Red Line Extension, Pace discusses network revitalization plan during presentations to RTA Board
CTA President Dorval Carter and Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger presented midyear updates to the RTA Board of Directors during their meeting on Septe...
October 3, 2024
Plan
Transit Station Activations in Rogers Park, Woodlawn bring live music, pop-up plant-based festival for riders to enjoy
In May, the RTA announced more than $120,000 in funding for eight Transit Station Activation projects near CTA, Metra, and Pace stations and stops. The proje...
October 3, 2024
Plan
Illinois should learn from past transit funding crises and achieve sustainable funding
Public transit operations in the Chicago region have been chronically underfunded—particularly at the state level. Today, state funding makes up only 17% of ...
October 1, 2024
Plan
RTA Citizens Advisory Board: Get to know Douglas Fowler
Following through on a key recommendation from regional transit strategic plan Transit is the Answer, the RTA launched a newly expanded, rider-focused Citize...
September 30, 2024
Plan
Kimball Station Area Curb and Mobility Study recommends infrastructure improvements around Albany Park L stop
In July, the Kimball Station Area Curb and Mobility Study was completed as part of the RTA’s Community Planning program. The study addresses the CTA Brown Li...
September 18, 2024
Plan
RTA Citizens Advisory Board: Get to know Xavier Potts
Following through on a key recommendation from regional transit strategic plan Transit is the Answer, the RTA launched a newly expanded, rider-focused Citize...
September 16, 2024
Plan
How peer states are addressing their transit systems’ fiscal cliffs
Public transit plays an essential role in the lives of millions of riders across the Chicago region and has the potential to reach even more people, but the ...
September 11, 2024
Plan
Survey open now: Help guide improvements to RTAMS, RTA’s mapping and statistics website
The RTA is seeking feedback from users of RTAMS, the agency’s mapping and statistics website, to better understand who uses it and how it can be improved in ...
September 9, 2024
Plan
RTA announces eight new Community Planning program projects
Eight new projects have been chosen for the RTA’s 2024 Community Planning program. Project locations include Chicago, Hazel Crest, Lockport, Maywood, Morton ...
August 29, 2024
Plan
A pivotal choice for transit: RTA analysis explores outcome of either falling off the fiscal cliff or investing in transit
At the RTA’s August board meeting, staff presented new economic impact analyses illustrating two drastically different potential futures for the regional tra...
August 28, 2024
