OVERVIEW OF THE RTA
Originally established in 1974 by a referendum in the six-county Northeastern Illinois region, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) provides funding, planning and fiscal oversight for regional bus and rail operations. The RTA is authorized to impose taxes in the region and issue debt, and is responsible for the allocation of federal, state and local funds to finance the operating and capital needs of public transportation in the region. The RTA system, which is comprised of the three operating agencies — the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) rapid transit and bus, Metra commuter rail and Pace suburban bus — carries over two million trips every day, and its service area spans approximately 3,700 square miles.

The CTA, Metra, and Pace have responsibility for setting fares and providing service within the six-county region and are governed by their own boards of directors. The CTA provides bus and rapid transit rail service in the City of Chicago and neighboring suburbsÍž Metra provides commuter rail service throughout the regionÍž and Pace provides bus service in the suburbs and between the suburbs and the City of Chicago, as well as paratransit service in the entire region.
 

Call for Projects Timeline

April 8, 2009
Call for Projects launched

June 12, 2009
Applications are due
to the RTA by 3:00 P.M. CST

August 20, 2009
Preliminary Programs of Projects
presented to the RTA Board of Directors

August 20- September 30, 2009
Public comment period

October 15, 2009
Programs of Projects presented to the RTA Board of Directors for approval

December 2009
RTA Board of Directors considers approval of funding for the Community and Subregional Planning programs
© 2009 Regional Transportation Authority | Programs