The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors approved Invest in Transit, the 2018-2023 Regional Transit Strategic Plan. The RTA has a key role in developing a strategic plan every five years and leading the region’s work in meeting the needs of transit riders in an increasingly challenging environment. It describes the funding uncertainty that the RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace (the Transit Agencies) currently face and the actions that stable and dedicated funding streams would allow us to take to provide vital public transit into the future. Invest in Transit’s three goals describe the key areas of focus for the Transit Agencies over the next five years. For each goal, Invest in Transit lays out a series of strategies for taking action over the next five years.

Deliver value on our investment: This goal focuses on the positive impacts of transit investment and the importance of increasing funding. Strategies include seeking additional funding, being clearer about how the Transit Agencies will spend the funds, and demonstrating positive outcomes of transit investment.
Build on the strengths of our network: This goal focuses on the service improvements and infrastructure investments that the Transit Agencies would like to make in key transit markets throughout the region. Strategies include making targeted operational improvements in six areas and addressing regional policy issues related to land-use around transit stations.

Stay competitive: This goal focuses on the vital role that transit plays as part of the region’s mobility network and strategies for adapting to the evolving needs of riders. Strategies include improving bus reliability, investing in technology, and pursuing regulation of private mobility services where high volume transit is successful.