Public transit across the Chicagoland region could suffer massive cuts without additional funding.
Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is calling on state and local leaders to fund a $1.5 billion plan to keep the Chicago Transit Agency (CTA) operating without massive service cuts, reports Sri Taylor in Bloomberg CityLab.
Without additional funding, the agency faces a $770 million budget gap that would translate into up to a 40 percent reduction in service and layoffs of train and bus operators.
“The proposed reforms also call for the RTA to be responsible for decisions on fare levels, service quality and capital investment. Illinois law currently does not empower the authority to institute changes and improvements throughout the year,” Taylor adds. The RTA says giving it more authority would enable it to coordinate improvements at the regional level.
FULL STORY: Chicago Agency Pitches $1.5 Billion Plan to Fix Transit Woes
Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis
Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.
Chicago Transit Leaders Oppose Merger Legislation, Pleading for More Funding
Ahead of a multi-million dollar fiscal cliff in 2026, CTA, Metra, and Pace pushed back on a potential merger at the first of several hearings to determine their futures in the wake of decreased ridership.
Proposed Legislation Would Consolidate Chicago Transit Agencies
State lawmakers say the move could cut down on competition and make regional transit more efficient for riders.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.
When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.
Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service