From child-sized benches to fresh landscaping and overnight deep cleaning crews, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is rethinking what it means to create a welcoming transit experience.

Recently, Mayor Brandon Johnson joined CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen to kick off the 2026 construction season, which includes numerous ongoing infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the CTA’s Refresh & Renew program, which aims to create welcoming spaces for riders of all ages and now includes jobs for returning citizens.

According to a release, the approach ensures that “investments made in transit benefit the communities CTA serves by providing a modern, safe, and welcoming transit system for all.”

“When we invest in our transit system, we invest in our CTA workers and the residents across our city who rely on this system to get to work, school, and opportunities throughout Chicago,” Johnson said. “Riders from Bronzeville to Rogers Park will benefit from the work CTA crews are doing this construction season to deliver a quality transit system that connects Chicagoans to opportunities and community."

Refresh & Renew Program Expansion with Rider-Focused Upgrades

Building on the Refresh & Renew program, launched in 2019, CTA is expanding its efforts to create welcoming spaces across the system. In addition to performing routine maintenance that enhances the safety, security, and overall look and feel of rail and bus facilities, crews will also add new child-sized benches at 10 rail station locations and landscaping elements at nine rail and bus locations.

“Our vision for the CTA is rooted in people, and this is brought to life with this year’s expansion of the Refresh & Renew program, which goes beyond basic improvements and adds elements that let our riders know they are welcome and we are proud to be a part of their communities,” Leerhsen said.

The landscaping will be done in collaboration with Greencorps Chicago.

An estimated $6.5 million in improvements will be performed this year at rail and bus locations across the CTA service region. Now through November, improvements will be made at 28 rail stations, plus 14 bus turnarounds.

Some of the more comprehensive improvements made as part of this program include concrete repairs, removal of outdated fixtures and equipment, repairs to utility and plumbing lines, and more.

Work also includes smaller cosmetic upgrades such as painting and replacing sheet metal or damaged signage, lighting upgrades, cleaning, repair of surfaces (e.g., columns, walls, railings, fencing/gates, platform fixtures, etc.), and power washing.

To complement Refresh & Renew, the CTA will also launch its seasonal power washing teams to tackle the grime accumulated during the winter months. This separate group of personnel is dispatched overnight and tasked with scrubbing and power washing the surfaces of CTA’s stations.