Dive Brief: The Northern Illinois Transit Authority, successor to the Regional Transportation Authority, released its first proposed 2027 operating budget and five-year capital program on Nov. 2.
The $5.04 billion operating budget, which covers the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter railroad and Pace suburban bus service, proposes more CTA bus service, no fare increases next year and measures to improve personal safety.
Dive Insight: The Illinois state legislature passed a bill last year to restructure the region’s transportation authority and provide $1.5 billion in funding for public transportation agencies.
“We have entered a new chapter of public transportation in northeastern Illinois,” Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a Nov. 2 statement.
The 2027 budget includes more transit ambassadors, better coordination with law enforcement and social services, fare gates and a new Office of Transit Safety and Experience.