Public transit isn’t just about trains and buses getting people from point A to point B. It’s about the daily life of our city and region: connecting workers to jobs, easing traffic, attracting investment, and making neighborhoods stronger.

As of 2025, 11 transit agencies serve Chicagoland, but the big three — CTA, Metra, and Pace — remain the backbone. Together, they carried more than 33 million rides in May 2025 alone.While still climbing back from the pandemic, ridership has now grown for three straight years.

Today, about one in four commuters rely on transit in some way. That makes Chicago one of the most transit-dependent regions in the country — and one of the most economically impacted. The reach goes far beyond those who tap a Ventra card each day.

This blog was developed by Bridget Harney, Regional Research Senior Manager, drawing on her analysis for our regional partners at the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP). Her work ensures that decision-makers across the region have access to clear, data-driven insights to guide strategy and collaboration.

The Direct Impact: Jobs & Paychecks

Transit itself is a major employer. More than 17,000 people work for CTA, Metra, Pace, or the Regional Transit Authority. From train operators and bus mechanics to janitors, instructors, flaggers, and switch workers, it’s one of the most diverse and essential workforces in the metro.

Those jobs matter: in 2024, transit employees collectively earned nearly $1.4 billion, making public transit the 6th largest employer in the region. That’s not counting construction crews and contractors who also benefit from ongoing capital projects.

On the revenue side, fares, ads, rent, and other sources generated $777 million last year, and with public funding added in, total resources topped $3.7 billion.

The Indirect Impact: A Huge ROI

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and MIT found that Chicago’s transit system delivers one of the highest returns on investment in the nation: nearly $13 in economic output for every $1 invested.

That return shows up in everyday ways:

• Access to Jobs: 98% of Chicago’s jobs are within a half mile of transit. The RTA estimates transit connects 4.2 million jobs across six counties, serving 8.5 million people — one of the country’s largest economic marketplaces.
• Less Traffic: Congestion costs Chicago $7.3 billion annually in wasted fuel, lost productivity, and road wear. Transit is the release valve.
• Attracting Talent & Business: Nearly 85% of new commercial buildings in recent years were built within walking distance of transit stations. Employers and workers alike look for that kind of connectivity.
• Family Budgets: Owning and maintaining a car is expensive. Transit offers households a lower-cost alternative, freeing up income for housing, childcare, or savings.
• Property Values: Homes and businesses near transit typically rise in value, strengthening the tax base — though it’s important to balance that with affordability protections.
• Cleaner Air: Transit is greener. Buses emit 33% less than cars, and trains produce 75% fewer emissions per passenger. Less traffic also means more walking, biking, and healthier neighborhoods.

What’s at Stake

The benefits are clear. But the system also faces a $771 million funding cliff. Without new solutions, Chicagoland could see 40% cuts in service: 74 bus routes lost, 50 “L” stations closed, 70 miles of rail eliminated, and 3,000 jobs gone. That kind of contraction would ripple through the economy, adding up to $35.4 billion a year in losses.

The choice is stark: invest now, or risk losing one of our greatest competitive advantages. Transit is not just a way to get to work or school — it’s an engine of growth, opportunity, and sustainability across all 77 communities.

The More You Know

Looking to dig deeper or get involved? Here are easy ways to plug in:

• RTA Board Briefing (watch on demand):
  The RTA Board recently discussed the looming transit funding cliff and potential paths forward. Watch the meeting online to get the full context and next steps.
• CTA Budget Town Halls (in person): Share feedback on service, funding, and priorities. Both sessions run 5:30–7:00 p.m.
  Thu, Sept 25 — Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd.
  Learn more about format, accessibility, and how to submit comments if you can’t attend.
• Transportation Tuesdays Webinar (virtual):
  Tue, Sept 30 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) — What’s next for the transit fiscal cliff?
  A conversation with Leanne Redden (RTA Executive Director) and Jody Holton (Chief Planning & Strategy, SEPTA) on how peer regions are tackling similar challenges. Register now (free).

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