CTA to Run Orange Line to Midway 24/7 in 2026

Overview

• New state funding is expected to begin arriving in the second half of 2026 after the law takes effect June 1, with a one-year fare freeze starting then and a lower farebox recovery ratio easing pressure for future hikes.
• The CTA plans to add up to 10 routes to its Frequent Bus Network, aiming for buses every 10 minutes between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Rail upgrades target roughly eight-minute headways throughout the day and a 50% increase in deep cleanings of vehicles and stations.
• Security steps include nightly guards at every Red Line station from Chinatown to 95th Street and a Cook County sheriff task force required by the legislation.
• Officials report a 30% decline in crime on the Blue Line and a 14% drop on the Red Line, and 40 anti‑smoking missions have yielded hundreds of citations.