Chicago Transit Authority

We're beautifying our system while investing in the local workforce. Under an initiative led by CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen, the CTA is installing landscaped garden boxes at nine of its busiest stations, beginning this week at the Garfield Green Line station. Acting President Leerhsen joined the crews for some of the landscaping work.   Partnering with the city’s Greencorps program, this effort provides essential hands-on job training for individuals re-entering the workforce. It forms a key pillar of our $6.5 million Refresh & Renew program, which will upgrade 28 rail stations and 14 bus turnarounds this year.   Find full program details at https://lnkd.in/gYjEC_gY. #ChicagoTransitAuthority #TeamCTA #RefreshRenew #WeMoveChicago

Starting this school year, getting around the Chicago region will cost less for K–12 students. CTA and Pace 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://lnkd.in/gNAxSJTF. #ChicagoTransitAuthority #TeamCTA #StudentFares 

The CTA Chicago Youth Works 2026 Summer Extern Program, in partnership with Southside Occupational Academy (SOA) High School, entered its third year. This summer, from June 23–July 15, 36 students from Southside High School engaged in programming over 4 weeks, which included a CTA/SOA Kick-Off Meet and Greet Celebration, a SOA Beautification Project at CTA 74th St Garage, CTA Board Day, with a SOA student attending as a guest speaker, a SOA Capstone Pop-Up Shop at CTA Headquarters and a CTA/SOA End of Program Celebration. Southside Occupational Academy High School is a Transition Center for students with disabilities aged 18–22. Southside provides individualized education and training to students in the areas of Applied Academics, Independent Functioning, and Vocational and Social Learning Skills. Southside also offers each student the opportunity to learn in various contextualized environments in the school through developed instructional labs in the areas of retail, grocery, office, culinary, hospitality, laundry, dish room, carpentry, and daily living. #ChicagoYouthWorks #CTA #WorkforceDevelopment #YouthDevelopment #CommunityPartnerships

CTA proudly supported Chicago's youth at the 2026 Bud Billiken Parade this past Saturday!   Dozens of CTA employees, including Acting President Nora Leerhsen, marched and rode alongside family and friends, celebrating the nation's oldest African American parade and its mission of sending schoolchildren back to school with pride, joy, and community support.   The Bud Billiken Parade is a Chicago institution, and CTA is honored to be part of a tradition that puts children and education front and center. Congratulations to everyone who marched, and to every student gearing up for a great school year ahead. #ChicagoTransitAuthority #TeamCTA #BudBillikenParade

The 2026 Elevating Culture Near Transit application is now open!! Grab your collaborators and go to https://lnkd.in/gkN5ehUg to get started!! We’ll still be hosting the final information session tomorrow, register at bit.ly/4f9a9Gp. Lots of information on #ETOD, Elevated Chicago, creative placekeeping, using Grant Central, and more are available in our info resources folder at: https://lnkd.in/gbrxE55V The application closes Monday, September 14th at 11:59 pm CT.  #ElevatedChicago #ArtsAndCulture #CreativePlacekeeping #ChicagoArtists #CommunityDevelopment #CallForArtists MacArthur Foundation Agape Collective

Last Friday, we celebrated a major milestone at the Austin Green Line station with Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson! With a new ADA-accessible ramp, elevator, and upgraded stairs, Austin is now officially the 110th accessible station in our network.   Public transit connects us to opportunity, and this reopening reflects a shared commitment to ensuring every resident and visitor can navigate Chicago safely and with dignity.   #ChicagoTransitAuthority #AustinGreenLine #GreenLine #Accessibility #WeMoveChicago

Meet Jose, a CTA bus operator who goes above and beyond to make sure service is top-notch! We greatly appreciate all the dedicated bus operators whose hard work and commitment helps keep Chicago moving. #ChicagoTransitAuthority #BusOperator #PublicTransit #TransitHeroes #KeepingChicagoMoving #CustomerService 

Professional service business owners: this series is for you. CTA's Diversity Programs invites professional service business owners to participate in the Small Business Educational Series, a nine-week workshop designed to help you strengthen your business, build capacity, and compete with confidence. Location: CTA Headquarters, Bid Room, 2nd Floor 567 W Lake St Chicago, IL 60661 Dates: Every Tuesday, September 22–November 17 Time: 5–6:30pm Application Deadline: August 28, 2026 Register Now at: https://lnkd.in/gpbBrVUU Seats are limited. Secure your spot today. #ChicagoTransitAuthority #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #ProfessionalServices #Entrepreneurship 

On July 17, 2026, 57 individuals were recognized at the CTA Second Chance Program Completion Ceremony. Held quarterly, the ceremony celebrates participants' achievements and honors their hard work, growth, and dedication. Honorees were recognized for transferring into apprentice positions, securing permanent employment with CTA, or successfully completing the program. Each achievement represents an important milestone on their path to professional success. The Second Chance Program team was joined by representatives from the Mayor's Office of Reentry, the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), the Mayor's Office of Health and Human Services, DFSS delegate agency partners, CTA staff and leadership from Training and Workforce Development, Vehicle Maintenance and Rail Station Management. Deputy Chief Operating Officer Rovaughn Graham, WSO, TSSP, PTSCTP delivered the keynote address, and representatives from the Mayor's Office of Health and Human Services provided the closing remarks in recognition of the honorees' accomplishments. Please join us in recognizing these dedicated individuals for this outstanding achievement. #SecondChanceProgram #WorkforceDevelopment #CareerSuccess #ChicagoTransitAuthority #Chicago

Yesterday, 100 aspiring construction workers and other community residents from the Red Line Extension (RLE) project footprint joined CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen at the RLE Community Office in Roseland for a CTA Workforce Connections event to explore career and apprenticeship opportunities in the trades.    Hosted monthly, these events connect residents with CTA workforce representatives, training programs, and career resources for the historic RLE project and future CTA construction projects.    Mark your calendar for upcoming events, which are held on the first Tuesday of every month from 9am until 3pm at the RLE Community Office (401 W. 111th Street): Sept. 1, Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 1. #ChicagoTransitAuthority #RLE #Transit #Construction #TransitCareers #CareerResources #ChicagoCareers #Chicago