The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) released its proposed 2027 Regional Transit Operating Budget and Five-Year Capital Program for public comment ahead of consideration by the NITA Board in December.

The proposal marks the agency's first budget since beginning operations September 1 to oversee the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace.

The budget outlines $5.04 billion in annual operating expenses for northeastern Illinois' transit system, including $1.3 billion in expected new funding under the NITA Act.

It also includes a $9.73 billion capital program for 2027 through 2031, with investments in vehicles, stations, tracks, bridges, signals, facilities, and technology. The capital program includes $990 million in new funding from the NITA Act, along with federal and state sources.

The proposed budget would create 439 jobs across the regional transit network, which currently employs more than 17,000 people.

“NITA is ready to lead a more connected, more reliable, safer regional transit system, and this budget puts that commitment into action,” said NITA interim Executive Director Jamie Rhee. “We are bringing agencies together, setting regional priorities and holding ourselves and our operating agencies accountable for results that riders, frontline workers and the taxpayers can see and experience.”

Expanding Service, Improving Safety

According to NITA, the proposed operating budget maintains and expands service across CTA, Metra, and Pace while funding additional safety programs and fare integration efforts.

The regional transit system recorded 65 consecutive months of year-over-year ridership growth from April 2021 through August 2026. A June 2026 survey also found that rider satisfaction increased to 80%, compared with 74% a year earlier.

NITA's “What Moves You?” budget survey received 4,368 responses in English and Spanish. Respondents identified more frequent and reliable service as their top priority, followed by improvements in safety, cleaning, and connections between transit services.

Among the proposed service and safety improvements are:

• Expansion of CTA's Frequent Bus Network and the addition of six bus routes to its 24-hour Owl service.
• New Sunday service on select suburban Pace routes.
• Expanded service on Metra's Rock Island Line.
• Funding for the NITA Ride Safe coordinated safety reporting app, scheduled to launch in November 2026, and a Transit Ambassador program planned for summer 2027.
• Additional health and human services support and coordinated law enforcement and social-service responses.
• Establishment of NITA's Office of Transit Safety and Experience.
• A fare gate pilot program aimed at reducing fare evasion.

The budget also proposes no fare increases in 2027, free transfers between CTA and Pace, permanent expansion of the Access Program, streamlined student fares, and new Reduced Fare passes.

Additional funding would support improved signage, real-time arrival and elevator status information, station cleaning, bus shelters, operator facilities, and maintenance.

NITA said the proposed budget identifies $60.1 million in efficiencies, exceeding the amount required under the NITA Act by $13.3 million.

Capital Program Targets Infrastructure, Fleet Modernization

NITA's proposed $9.73 billion Five-Year Capital Program focuses on reducing the region's state-of-good-repair backlog, improving accessibility, upgrading infrastructure, and supporting the transition to zero-emission transportation.

The program includes a new capital funding source established under the NITA Act through a share of interest earned on Illinois' Road Fund and State Construction Account. The source is expected to generate approximately $180 million annually, totaling $990 million over five years.

The program also funds regional signage improvements, enhanced access to suburban bus stops through a partnership with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and bus shelter improvements across the six-county region.