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.
Under NITA, Access — a popular fare pilot that enables Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to ride Metra at a reduced fare — expanded...
October 1, 2026
Invest
RTA rider survey shows strong support for increased funding and an empowered RTA
Since 2021, the RTA has been conducting a quarterly panel survey to better understand transit rider experience and gather input from transit users across the...
May 20, 2025
Invest
Public Comment Open Through June 13 on Proposed Updates to RTA’s Performance-Based Capital Allocation Process
As part of our commitment to transparent capital planning, the RTA is seeking public input on proposed updates to the performance-based capital allocation pr...
May 20, 2025
Invest
RTA Releases 2025 Report Showing Gains in Transit Capital Funding—But Significant New Investment Still Needed
One-quarter of regional transit infrastructure exceeds its useful life, long-term investment is needed to bring our transit assets to a state of good repair ...
May 20, 2025
Plan
RTA legislative proposal can deliver faster, more frequent, safer, reliable transit service
With the Chicago area’s transit system facing a $771 million fiscal cliff starting in 2026, RTA released our Transforming Transit vision for sustainable fund...
May 8, 2025
Plan
Riders and regional officials call for sustainable funding and reform to improve service at RTA’s Transforming Transit Summit
Chicago's transit system is facing a fiscal cliff in 2026 that will mean drastic service cuts across CTA, Metra, and Pace. The RTA is advocating for addition...
April 24, 2025
Invest
What RTA can learn from peers transitioning to a zero-emission transit system
Transit is the Answer commits the RTA to accelerating the transition to a zero-emission regional transit system and prioritizing communities burdened by poor...
April 22, 2025
Plan
New details emerge on what $1.5 billion in investment could mean for your commute
In March, the RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace detailed what 40% service cuts would look like if the Illinois legislature does not identify a funding solution for t...
April 10, 2025
Plan
History of transit reform in the Chicago region
Public transit in the Chicago region has been underfunded for decades and the crisis we face today is not the first that has challenged the system. The curre...
April 10, 2025
Plan
Explore 2024 RTA Local Planning projects and successes in interactive implementation report
Every year, the RTA’s Local Planning department assists local governments throughout northeastern Illinois on projects that strengthen the region’s transit s...
April 8, 2025
Plan
Development Dialogues in Round Lake, Waukegan discuss building attraction and connections to Metra stations
In the late fall of 2024, RTA’s Community Planning program in partnership with the Urban Land Institute supported two Development Dialogues held in Round Lak...
April 2, 2025
Plan
Local leaders support sustainable transit funding, raise concerns about consolidation
As conversations on transit funding and reform continue in Springfield ahead of the fiscal cliff, local elected officials across the region have raised their...
March 27, 2025
Plan
What Chicago can learn from transit ambassador programs around the country
Earlier this year, the RTA released Transforming Transit, a vision for the regional transit system with $1.5 billion in annual operating funding supported by...
March 27, 2025
