Overview

• Bus and rail fares would rise by 25 cents per ride, day passes increase to $6, seven-day passes to $25, and 30‑day passes to $85, with the three‑day pass eliminated.
• The fare changes are slated to begin Feb. 1 and follow an RTA directive for at least a 10% increase across regional transit systems.
• CTA estimates the increases will generate roughly $30 million to $35 million next year, far short of the projected $112 million operating deficit.
• The agency says it may reduce service by up to 25% beginning in mid‑2026 absent new state dollars and plans to cut administrative and management positions before trimming routes.
• CTA’s capital plan centers on the Red Line Extension, but about $2 billion in federal grant funding is frozen under a White House review, clouding the project’s timeline.