The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is initiating a Safety Management Inspection (SMI) of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) State Safety Oversight (SSO) program for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) rail transit
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) rolls out enhanced transit signal priority on Line 5 Eglinton and Line 6 Finch West, plus extends Finch West service hours. Also, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) releases an updated package of service proposals and a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) submits a revised security enhancement plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches a priority seating pilot program.
Rail infrastructure upgrades are nearing completion for the revival of Northlander service in Ontario, Canada. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra post ridership gains in 2025; San Francisco Bay Area Transportation District (BART) launches free Wi-Fi at five stations in time for the Super Bowl; and Alstom completes base-order delivery of automated people-mover vehicles to Denver International Airport (DEN).
POTUS 47 appoints a second Presidential Advisory Board (PEB) to help settle an ongoing contract dispute at MTA Long Island Rail Road in New York. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) advances an Innovation Studio pilot project; and Trinity Metro’s TEXRail breaks a ridership record in December.
Ridership records are set for New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) commuter railroads and California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Regional Transit District (SMART). Also, the fiscal year 2025 audit for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) receives a “favorable opinion from independent auditors”; and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) advance transit-oriented development (TOD) projects.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) shortlists three Commuter Rail operator teams. Also, Alto, Canada’s planned Toronto-Québec City HSR (high-speed rail) system, “could see dozens of daily trains”; crime is at a 16-year low on New York MTA subways; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) unveils a “security surge” plan; and New Jersey Transit (NJT) encourages holiday giving through the digital “Chance For Change” program.
The Regional Transportation Authority (Chicago, Ill.) on Dec. 18 voted to adopt the 2025 Regional Transit Operating Budget and 2026-2030 Capital Program following the signing of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Dec. 16 signed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, SB2111, into law, “marking a landmark action in modernizing Illinois’ transit system.” The law creates a new regional authority to oversee the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace, “while delivering significant investments in public transit, capital projects, and tollways across the state—all without raising statewide taxes.”
The Chicago Transit Board on Nov. 12 unanimously approved a balanced $2.23 billion operating budget for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which, the agency says, “holds the line on fares, avoids layoffs, enhances existing services, expands vehicle cleaning measures, and more.” The operating budget is $75 million—or 3.2 percent—more than the 2025 budget.
Société de transport de Montréal (STM) in Canada seeks an end to the Metro and bus strikes. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will offer 24-hour rapid transit service to Midway Airport; Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in North Carolina is providing mobile transit passes to community members with SNAP and WIC benefits; and the government of Canada’s Budget 2025 proposes a renewal of the Canada Strong Pass for the holiday season.
