Regional Transportation Authority Board board approves $74 million shift to keep CTA running

CHICAGO (WGN) — The Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors on Thursday approved a short-term solution to keep the Chicago Transit Authority funded through the early months of 2026.

Following a unanimous vote, RTA board members approved the reallocation of $74 million from PACE and Metra to CTA. Amid a looming fiscal cliff without additional funding, PACE, Metra, and CTA faced layoffs and significant service cuts. 

“If we were to have the fiscal cliff at CTA now, there are a million plus riders a day, right, so 40 percent, 400,00 riders would have reduced service,” said Dennis Mondero, a RTA board member.

With federal COVID-19 dollars set to end for the CTA at the end of this year, the $74 million shift in revenue will keep the agency going two to three months into 2026. 

“It pushes off the fiscal cliff and makes sure people can get to work and school and to their doctors’ appointments and whatever they use the CTA for,” said Kirk Dillard, RTA chairman.

Before Thursday’s meeting got underway, riders with disabilities and advocates who rely on public transportation rallied outside before taking their concerns to the board. RTA is proposing to limit funding to the RAP and TAP pilot program, offering rideshare and taxi services at a subsidized rate. Right now, riders are offered eight rides per day. The proposal limits the program to 30 rides per month and increases the fare from $2 to $3.25. 

“If the rides are shortened, limited down to 30, then people are going to have to make a decision on what they can do and what they can’t do,” said Debbie Pittman with the Progress Center for Independent Living.

After not passing transit funding during the spring legislative session, RTA directors are hopeful lawmakers will return to the state capitol in October to pass an extended plan to sustain public transit across the state.  

“I’m confident they’re going to come up with a solution that’s workable and viable, Kirkman said. “They do need to know that if they want improvement in the service, they have to come up with a number that is over and above the 770  million fiscal cliff.”