Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator Marc Molinaro recently sent a letter to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, issuing a special directive to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).

The Federal Transit Administration describes special directives as “orders from the federal government that require FTA-regulated transit agencies or state safety oversight agencies to take specified actions to address safety issues within a specified period.”

The directive demands that the agency develop and implement a plan to measurably reduce assaults on transit workers and passengers, and to address unsafe conditions that have contributed to increased crime on CTA’s bus and rail system.

According to an FTA release, this directive follows an attack on a 26-year-old passenger riding CTA’s Blue Line on November 17th by a “repeat criminal with a reported 72 prior arrests.”

“It’s the responsibility of leaders at every level to create a safe system for all riders and workers on transit,” Molinaro said. “If CTA does not take immediate action to increase its law enforcement presence, we will withhold federal funds.”  

Special Directive Sets December Deadlines to Curb Assaults

FTA issued the directive as part of its oversight role and to continue to ensure transit remains the safest mode of surface transportation. Under its Public Transportation Safety Program, FTA oversees and supports transit safety, including issuing special directives.

Statistics CTA has reported to the National Transit Database (NTD) indicate that the rate of assaults on transit workers on CTA rail and bus service has exceeded the national average of comparable transit agencies every year since fiscal year 2015.

Assaults against customers on CTA vehicles and property have increased 150% in the past five years. The recent directive issued requires CTA to “take immediate action to protect transit workers and passengers from assaults and other criminal activity.”

The special directive identifies two findings:

• CTA’s “failure” to update its Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan.

• CTA’s maintenance of a safe operating environment for workers and passengers, including “failing to implement adequate mitigations to address a years-long pattern of elevated worker and customer assaults and serious violent crime.”

The directive includes actions that CTA must complete, including: (1) CTA must update its Agency Safety Plan by the end of December and send the plan to FTA within seven business days of approval by CTA’s Transit Board Committee; (2) by December 15, 2025, CTA must develop a security enhancement plan for FTA review and approval; and (3) by December 19, 2025, CTA must implement the security enhancement plan approved by FTA.

FTA will receive submissions and monitor CTA’s progress in resolving each finding and required action. FTA may also conduct onsite inspections and assessments to confirm implementation of required actions and provide technical assistance to CTA to help address the agency’s safety issues.