NITA begins oversight of Chicago-area transit

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) today began operating as the authority governing the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) elevated rail and bus services, the Metra commuter-rail system and Pace bus network.

The NITA Act was signed into law in December 2025, the new authority replaces the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and marks a new approach to how public transit is funded and coordinated across the greater Chicago area, NITA officials said in a press release.

The NITA Act pairs new financial investment with a new approach to planning, oversight and service delivery, they added. The legislation provides about $1.5 billion annually to stabilize and strengthen the transit services. This includes about $1.2 billion in new annual operations funding for northeastern Illinois in 2027, the first full year of new revenue.

Since the NITA Act was signed, $132 million has already been directed for near-term improvements across the three transit systems, including expanded service, efforts to address rail slow zones, new security resources and expanded affordable fare access.

The new authority aims to deliver more frequent and reliable service, simpler fare structures and payment options, stronger coordination around public safety, better access to real-time information and a more accessible transit system, NITA officials said. New public safety measures to be launched under NITA include a transit ambassador program and a new NITA office of transit safety and experience, which will oversee safety responses across CTA, Metra and Pace services.

Services provided by the RTA, such as accessible transit services and reduced fare programs, will continue under NITA, and train and bus operators will remain the same.