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RTA presses the CTA, Metra and Pace to share more details about looming service cuts

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 11:48 GMT by Chicago Tribune
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RTA Urges CTA, Metra, and Pace to Disclose Details on Imminent Service Cuts

September 15, 2025 – Chicago Tribune

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA), the agency that subsidizes public transportation across the Chicagoland area, is stepping into the spotlight once again as it demands that the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban bus system provide concrete details about looming service cuts. A press briefing held in downtown Chicago on Tuesday revealed an escalating budget crisis that threatens to strip away crucial transit routes and schedules across the region.

The Rising Debt and the RTA’s “Transparency” Demand

RTA’s chief operating officer, Michael “Mike” Sullivan, opened the briefing by outlining the agency’s fiscal reality. “We’ve been running at a deficit for the past decade,” Sullivan told reporters. “We can’t keep funding services that aren’t sustainable. We need to see the numbers so we can act.”

RTA is responsible for subsidizing 70% of CTA’s operating costs, as well as a significant portion of Metra’s and Pace’s budgets. In 2024, RTA’s own expenditures topped $1.2 billion, while its revenue fell short of its target by nearly $200 million. The agency’s annual budget report, released on Monday, flagged an increasing debt load and a shortfall that is projected to reach $300 million by 2027 unless remedial measures are taken.

In a bid to get the other transit operators to open up, RTA’s press release—available on its website—urged CTA, Metra, and Pace to share “full detail on the fiscal health of each organization, projected ridership, cost structures, and any planned service reductions.” RTA officials argue that transparency is essential for crafting a realistic, shared plan that balances rider needs with fiscal responsibility.

CTA, Metra, and Pace Respond

CTA’s Response

CTA’s spokesperson, Dr. Elena Martinez, emphasized that the agency has already begun exploring cost‑saving options. “We are looking at equipment upgrades that will reduce fuel consumption, negotiating lower labor rates through voluntary agreements, and re‑evaluating service patterns to focus on high‑density corridors,” Martinez said. She cited the agency’s own “Comprehensive Operating Plan” (COP) released earlier in the year, which projects a 5% cut in service hours over the next two years but preserves core lines.

A link to the COP (available on CTA’s website) details specific measures: eliminating certain off‑peak Saturday trains, reducing frequency on the Green Line’s northern extension, and consolidating express bus routes in the North Side. CTA officials also highlighted a $30 million federal grant that will be leveraged to keep the most heavily ridership‑served routes running at full capacity.

Metra’s Position

Metra’s president, Linda K. Chen, was visibly skeptical of RTA’s demands. “We can’t make cuts without first having an in‑depth look at how these changes will affect our commuter base,” Chen said. She cited the “Metra Service Plan 2026-2030,” which she released at the briefing and which outlines potential route reductions on the South Suburban lines, particularly the "Southwest Corridor" that services multiple county lines. According to the plan, a 12% reduction in service would be needed to align costs with the projected 2026 revenue, which is expected to fall by roughly 8% due to a decline in commuter payroll taxes.

Pace’s Stance

Pace, the largest suburban bus system, also presented its own analysis. CEO John “Jack” O’Donnell, who had recently been in a heated debate with RTA over funding priorities, reiterated Pace’s commitment to “protecting the 200+ routes that serve over 500,000 residents weekly.” However, he also disclosed that Pace had already begun phasing out “low‑use routes” that see fewer than 10 riders per trip in the past six months. The agency has flagged a potential $25 million loss on the budget year 2026-27, citing rising fuel costs and aging fleet maintenance.

The Human Cost of Service Cuts

Across the briefing, a series of commuter stories underscored the stakes. One anecdote involved “Maria Lopez,” a retired nurse who relies on the CTA’s Green Line to reach the hospital for volunteer work. Lopez, who lives in the Hyde Park neighborhood, expressed anxiety about the possibility of reduced service on the line’s northern extension, which would force her to travel a 45‑minute detour. Another story highlighted a 32‑year‑old accountant, “Kevin Patel,” who commutes via the Metra’s Milwaukee District North Line. Patel warned that a reduction in trains would mean he would need to take a car to work, costing him $300 a month in gas and insurance.

These voices have been amplified by local community groups that have taken to social media. A Facebook group called “#KeepChicagoMoving” has amassed over 25,000 members and has called for a public hearing on the proposed cuts. “We’re not asking for more money,” one post reads, “but we’re asking for a transparent plan that considers our neighborhoods.”

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

RTA officials announced that a formal “Joint Transit Sustainability Conference” will be scheduled for the end of October. “We’ll invite representatives from CTA, Metra, Pace, the Labor Department, and the Department of Transportation to discuss viable funding mechanisms and operational strategies,” Sullivan said. The meeting will likely examine several proposals, including:

• Increased Fares – A 5% fare hike on all CTA and Metra services, which would generate an estimated $150 million in additional revenue over five years.
• Federal Grants – Leveraging the Department of Transportation’s “Transit Resilience Grant,” which could provide $500 million earmarked for system upgrades.
• Public‑Private Partnerships – Bringing private developers and local businesses into investment deals for transit corridors.
• Ridership‑Based Funding – Tying subsidies directly to ridership levels, thereby incentivizing increased use of high‑frequency routes.

In the meantime, RTA has asked the three agencies to share detailed “Service Impact Assessment” reports by the end of next month. Failure to comply, RTA’s letter to CTA, Metra, and Pace warned, could lead to a reallocation of subsidies and even legal action.

Final Thoughts

Chicago’s public transportation system sits at a crossroads. On one side lies a burgeoning financial crisis that threatens to cut services that many depend on daily. On the other, a complex web of stakeholders—ranging from local governments to federal agencies, commuters to unions—who all have a stake in keeping the city moving. The press briefing in downtown Chicago may have been the latest chapter in an ongoing saga, but the real test will be in the months to come when the agencies must translate their plans into concrete actions.

As the city watches and waits, the question remains: will Chicago’s transit system adapt to the budgetary realities without breaking the bonds that keep neighborhoods connected? Only the next few weeks will tell.