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
Plan
RTA is seeking $1.5 billion in annual operating funding. What would that mean for your commute?
On January 15, RTA released Transforming Transit, a vision for the regional transit system with $1.5 billion in annual operating funding supported by a stron...
January 28, 2025
Invest
New stations on CTA Green Line, Metra UP-N line increase transit access for residents, riders
In 2024, CTA and Metra opened two new stations: the Damen station in Chicago’s Near West Side neighborhood along CTA’s Green Line and the Peterson/Ridge stat...
January 28, 2025
Plan
RTA proposes reforms to increase efficiency, transparency, and accountability across transit system
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...
January 24, 2025
Plan
What Chicago can learn from Philadelphia as the transit fiscal cliff approaches
Beginning in 2026, Chicago’s regional transit system faces a projected $770 million annual budget gap. At nearly 20% of the annual operating budget, this gap...
January 23, 2025
Plan
2024 recap: RTA brings 8 Transit Station Activations throughout region as part of pilot program
In spring 2024, RTA announced more than $120,000 in funding for eight Transit Station Activation projects as part of a pilot program with the goal of improvi...
January 9, 2025
Plan
Village of La Grange adopts comprehensive plan calling for more density near transit
In November, the Village of La Grange voted to adopt La Grange Forward, a comprehensive plan developed as part of the RTA’s Community Planning program. The d...
January 7, 2025
Plan
Transit Station Activation on West Side brings historic home movies from the neighborhood to life
In May, the RTA announced more than $120,000 in funding for eight Transit Station Activation pilot projects near CTA, Metra, and Pace stations and stops. The...
December 19, 2024
Plan
Voters overwhelmingly support transit nationally this election cycle
Voters across the nation were not only asked to choose their elected representatives this November, but in many states the future of their local transit syst...
November 21, 2024
Plan
State hearings show broad support for funding transit and increasing service across region
Lawmakers, local leaders, and transit stakeholders from throughout the region recognize the extraordinary value of the transit system and the need for sustai...
November 21, 2024
Plan
Help shape the future of suburban transit: Take the Pace ReVision survey or attend an open house
This is a guest blog from Pace on a new initiative that aims to adapt transit service to meet the changing needs of riders—a key action item in the RTA’s reg...
November 18, 2024
Invest
2025 Regional transit budget available for public comment, foreshadows risk to system’s future without fiscal cliff solution
The RTA has released the 2025 Regional Transit Operating Budget and Five-Year Capital Program for download and public comment. The budget comes as an operati...
November 15, 2024
Plan
RTA Citizens Advisory Board: Get to know Parker Thompson
Following through on a key recommendation from regional transit strategic plan Transit is the Answer, the RTA launched a newly expanded, rider-focused Citize...
November 12, 2024
