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
Move
How to use transit during the Kennedy Expressway construction
A major, multiyear construction project on the Kennedy Expressway stretching 7.5 miles from the junction with the Edens to Ohio Street threatens to leave dri...
March 14, 2025
Plan
Peer states pursue sustainable transit funding while Chicago’s fiscal cliff approaches
Beginning in 2026, Chicago’s regional transit system will face a projected $770 million annual budget gap. At nearly 20% of the annual operating budget, this...
March 13, 2025
Invest
4 Metra Electric station upgrades complete with more underway, prioritizing ADA accessibility
As part of Metra’s commitment to Chicago’s South Side and south suburbs, the agency is investing more than $800 million over the next decade to upgrade numer...
March 13, 2025
Plan
Webinar recap: RTA's Transit-Friendly Communities Guide helps local municipalities effectively implement ETOD
In January, the RTA published a new Transit-Friendly Communities Guide – a resource with strategies and techniques that local decision-makers, the developmen...
March 7, 2025
Plan
RTA releases Transit-Friendly Communities Guide, hosts webinar on making transit accessible to more people throughout region
Last month, the RTA published its Transit-Friendly Communities Guide, a roadmap to creating equitable neighborhoods across the Chicago region that are safe a...
February 25, 2025
Plan
Coalition members provide feedback on ‘Transforming Transit,’ RTA’s vision for improved service and accountability
Nearly 200 riders, advocates, and other stakeholders met virtually with the RTA on February 11 for the sixth quarterly Transit is the Answer Coalition meetin...
February 20, 2025
Move
One year in, Access Pilot Program makes transit more affordable, encourages ridership growth
This month the RTA, Metra, and Cook County are celebrating one year of success for the Access Pilot Program, which provides reduced fares on the entire Metra...
February 20, 2025
Plan
Far South Halsted Corridor Study prepares for future Pace Pulse service
An RTA Community Planning project kicked off in late 2023 as a crucial step in bringing Pace Pulse service to Chicago’s south suburbs. The Far South Halsted ...
February 19, 2025
Invest
Why fully funding paratransit service and reduced fare programs is key to closing the transit budget gap
With transit facing a fiscal cliff in 2026, fully funding critical programs like ADA paratransit service and free and reduced fare programs is one key to clo...
February 18, 2025
Plan
RTA proposes reforms to prioritize capital projects, maximizing impact of funding
RTA is proposing a historic restructuring of the region’s transit governance to maximize the impact of new operating funding and ensure all riders experience...
February 5, 2025
Plan
RTA proposes reforms to integrate fares, require accountability for faster and more reliable transit
RTA is proposing a historic restructuring of the region’s transit governance to maximize the impact of any new operating funding and ensure all riders experi...
February 5, 2025
Plan
For the third year in a row, regional transit ridership was up by double-digits in 2024
Ridership across the Chicago region’s transit system continued to increase throughout 2024, according to the latest data from CTA, Metra, and Pace. The regio...
January 28, 2025
