On August 21, Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority voted to shift $74 million in discretionary funding from Metra and Pace (the region’s bus system) to the Chicago Transit Authority. While the money move won’t prevent the impending “doomsday” cuts, it will delay them until the middle of 2026. 

The RTA, which oversees the three agencies, is facing a $770 million deficit largely due to the end of federal funding related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although legislation to reform the RTA and provide funding passed through the state Senate, it failed to reach the House floor before the May 31 deadline. While it’s possible that the legislature could still address the budget shortfall during an upcoming special session, the RTA has begun cutting its budget to the amount it anticipates receiving next year from the state.

If the state does not come through with additional funding, drastic cuts are expected to impact bus, transit and commuter rail services in Chicagoland. Four of the CTA’s eight rail lines could be suspended, resulting in the closure of 50 stations. Metra would need to reduce service by 40 percent, which would eliminate early-morning and late-night trains.