The Chicago Transit Authority’s board approved a 2026 budget without a fare increase, while board members questioned when the agency would receive its first chunk of new state transit money still needed to fund dream projects such as overnight Orange Line service.

The board’s Wednesday budget vote closes the door on a potential fare increase after the Regional Transportation Authority walked back its 10% fare hike requirement last week for CTA, Metra and Pace. The RTA did so after the state legislature passed a $1.5 billion transit bailout last month, sparing the agencies from drastic service cuts.

Without the CTA’s 25 cent fare hike for bus and train tickets, the agency expects to lose nearly $30 million in additional revenue next year, according to budget figures shared at the board me

See Full Page