Chicago's Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has reversed its plan to implement fare increases for CTA, Metra, and Pace in 2026, following criticism from lawmakers instrumental in passing a historic $1.5 billion transit funding package.
The RTA had insisted that the three agencies include the planned fare hikes despite lawmakers approving the spending package. However, lawmakers have since passed a bill prohibiting fare hikes for the first year after June 1, when the law is expected to take effect.
This change has left confusion about whether the fare increases would go ahead as planned, but RTA Director of Communications Tina Fassett Smith has confirmed that no service cuts or fare increases will occur in 2026 pending a decision by the RTA Board this Thursday. Instead, transit riders can expect operational improvements to service quality and experience.
The RTA had initially cited "inflationary cost growth" as a reason for the planned fare hike, which was part of an effort to push back potential service cuts to the second half of 2026. However, lawmakers have since called for restraint on fare increases until the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) takes over from the RTA.
State Senator Ram Villivalam has urged caution against increasing fares at this time, while State Representative Eva-Dina Delgado suggests that any future fare increase should be left to NITA. The new authority will have 20 board members appointed by the governor and Chicago's mayor, giving it the ability to set fares for CTA, Metra, and Pace.
The RTA is holding a special meeting on Thursday to address the transit bill, marking an end to the uncertainty surrounding fare increases in the region.
The RTA had insisted that the three agencies include the planned fare hikes despite lawmakers approving the spending package. However, lawmakers have since passed a bill prohibiting fare hikes for the first year after June 1, when the law is expected to take effect.
This change has left confusion about whether the fare increases would go ahead as planned, but RTA Director of Communications Tina Fassett Smith has confirmed that no service cuts or fare increases will occur in 2026 pending a decision by the RTA Board this Thursday. Instead, transit riders can expect operational improvements to service quality and experience.
The RTA had initially cited "inflationary cost growth" as a reason for the planned fare hike, which was part of an effort to push back potential service cuts to the second half of 2026. However, lawmakers have since called for restraint on fare increases until the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) takes over from the RTA.
State Senator Ram Villivalam has urged caution against increasing fares at this time, while State Representative Eva-Dina Delgado suggests that any future fare increase should be left to NITA. The new authority will have 20 board members appointed by the governor and Chicago's mayor, giving it the ability to set fares for CTA, Metra, and Pace.
The RTA is holding a special meeting on Thursday to address the transit bill, marking an end to the uncertainty surrounding fare increases in the region.
The fact that lawmakers stepped in and stopped those ridiculous fare hikes is just what we needed. I mean, $1.5 billion for transit funding is already a huge win, but to have them also protect riders from unnecessary price increases is just genius 
. Now we can focus on improving service quality instead of nickel-and-diming people. And yay for NITA taking over - it's gonna be so cool to see a new authority that actually cares about the community! 
I'm loving this development, let's get those buses and trains running smoothly in 2026 without any hiccups 
just got word that the Chicago RTA cancelled those planned fare hikes 
big relief for commuters! apparently lawmakers were all like "no way Jose" and passed a new bill that puts a hold on fares for now. can't say I blame 'em, who wants to raise fares in the middle of inflation? anyway, it's looking like we might see some operational improvements instead...more trains, less delays, maybe even some new bus routes 
let's keep our fingers crossed that they follow through on these plans! 
this whole thing just got super confusing... so like, lawmakers were all "no way, we're not increasing fares" and the RTA was all "but our costs are gonna sky rocket" 
and now it's like they've decided to table everything pending a meeting on Thursday 
. I mean, i get why lawmakers wanted to block the fare hikes - they're trying to be all chill about the new transit authority taking over, but at the same time they're still worried about costs rising 
. It's all super murky, like can we really trust that no service cuts will happen in 2026? 
still on the fence about this whole thing...
The new NITA authority is gonna shake things up and make some tough decisions. Fingers crossed they prioritize people over profits! 
. The whole thing just feels like a big mess. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to increase fares and then backtrack on it? It's not exactly the most efficient system, you know? But hey, at least they're making operational improvements, which is a step in the right direction 
.