Northern Illinois Transit Authority - NITA

09/09/2026

🔔 The NITA Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 10. View the agenda and watch at https://nita.illinois.gov/about-nita/boards-and-committees/meeting-materials

Note: There are a few *first meeting* items on the agenda before public comment. We appreciate everyone's patience!

09/07/2026

NITA wishes everyone a Happy Labor Day! We are thankful to those who keep our system moving every day. 🚉

09/03/2026

🗞️ ICYMI: The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) officially begins operations as the nation’s second largest transit authority.

Work is already underway for better connections between regional buses and trains, more frequent and reliable service, stronger coordination around public safety, and a more accessible transit system.

"NITA is driving Illinois forward with a transformative vision that will deliver a reliable, safe and unified public transportation system for the entire region." – Governor JB Pritzker

Read more in the new NITA blog: https://nita.illinois.gov/blog/2026/09/01/northern-illinois-transit-authority-begins-new-era-for-regional-transit

09/02/2026

After more than 20 years at the agency, including 12 as Executive Director, Leanne Redden is retiring as RTA transitions to NITA.

During her time leading the RTA, Leanne secured historic state and federal transit funding, worked to launch Bus on Shoulder, strengthened regional planning and helped lay the groundwork for the NITA Act. "I leave the transit system in the strongest position it has ever been in and proud of a career spent connecting people to opportunity. I'm grateful beyond words, and I can't wait to see what NITA accomplishes next.”

Thank you, Leanne, for more than two decades of leadership and service to our region. 🤝🩵
https://nita.illinois.gov/about-rta/press-releases/leanne-redden-rta-executive-director-announces-retirement

09/01/2026

A new era for Chicagoland transit. 🚇✨

Beginning today, NITA is officially your regional transit agency, coordinating affordable, reliable, safe transit across the CTA, Metra, and Pace.

For riders, the transition to NITA will not bring a change in who operates your bus or train, and all ADA Paratransit Certification, Ride Free and Reduced Fare programs, and the Access Program for riders experiencing low incomes will continue under NITA.

Learn more about what this transition means in a press release: https://nita.illinois.gov/about-rta/press-releases/northern-illinois-transit-authority-begins-new-era-for-regional-transit.

You can also visit our new website at nita.illinois.gov. 📲

08/21/2026

Get a free ride to your first day of school this Monday, August 24 by taking the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, or Pace Suburban Bus! 🚌

In addition to this special offer, for the remainder of the school year student fares on CTA and Pace will now be standardized at 75¢ per ride and Metra will continue to offer its reduced fares to K-12 students at all times.

Learn more: https://www.rtachicago.org/about-rta/press-releases/with-new-funding-from-the-northern-illinois-transit-authority-act-transit-agencies-team-up-to-make-student-fare-policies-more-coordinated-and-affordable

08/14/2026

Starting this school year, getting around the Chicago region will cost less for K–12 students. Chicago Transit Authority and Pace Suburban Bus student fares will be standardized at 75 cents per ride, any time of day, year-round, while Metra will continue offering reduced student fares at all times. 🚌🎒

Supported by additional funding provided through the NITA Act, the new policy is an early example of how NITA will make transit more seamless and affordable for everyone.

Learn more about student fare eligibility from CTA at https://www.transitchicago.com/fares/, Metra at https://www.metra.com/fares, and Pace at https://www.pacebus.com/fares.

08/06/2026

A new regional transit coordination study analyzed more than 140,000 scheduled transfers between CTA, Metra, and Pace to establish a baseline for improving interagency connections. The findings will help inform NITA's future regionwide service planning process, with the goal of creating a more coordinated, reliable, and rider-focused transit network. 🚇

Read more about the study and what's next for regional transit:

A new regional transit service coordination study will help bridge between current service planning practices and the first Northern Illinois Transit…

07/31/2026

The NITA Act went into effect June 1st and riders are already seeing improvements to transit service across the Chicago region. 🚌

Learn how the NITA Act is delivering a more accessible, reliable and rider-focused transit system for northeastern Illinois now: https://www.rtachicago.org/about-rta/press-releases/nita-act-advances-to-next-phase-transit-riders-to-see-public-safety-service-improvements-this-summer

07/29/2026

Getting to Lollapalooza this weekend is easy with Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace Suburban Bus! 🎶🚉

In support of the busiest weekend of the year, CTA and Metra will add service and capacity to existing bus and train routes to safely transport the tens of thousands of festival-goers to Grant Park. See schedules, routes, and information on transit passes now by visiting https://metra.com/newsroom/public-transit-is-the-best-choice-for-music-fans-headed-to-lollapalooza.