Public Transportation Industry Celebrates Pride 2026

Public transportation agencies across the U.S. celebrated Pride Month, June, with special events, wrapped buses and trains, and expanded service.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) unveiled a new design for its 2026 Pride Train. This year marks the ninth year the Pride Train has made its voyage on the Red Line.

The new exterior design uses diagonal stripes of color that cover the entire eight-car train. Inside, each of the railcars are filled with welcoming messages, as well as new car cards that provide local historical facts and information about the local LBTQ community.

The CTA became the first major U.S. transit agency to unveil a Pride Train when it introduced the concept in 2017.

Also in the Chicago area, Metra provided additional service on the Union Pacific Northwest Line and Union Pacific West Line on June 28 to accommodate those attending Chicago’s 55^th Annual Pride Parade.

For the second year, Metra employees celebrated the parade aboard Metra’s own parade float.

In addition to the extra parade-day service on two UP lines, Metra expanded Sunday service on the Rock Island, UP North, and BNSF lines.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) celebrated Pride Month by again walking in Boston Pride. The agency’s Pride in Transit bus and trolley are also running in service.

Throughout June, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrated Pride Month with a specially wrapped train, bus, and Metro Access vehicle. The vehicles were in service throughout the system during June, and the Pride bus and Metro Access vehicle participated in the Capital Pride Parade alongside nearly 100 Metro employees.

In San Francisco, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) had a contingent in the annual Pride Parade and Celebration, June 27 and 28. The city’s parade is one of the largest in the country.

In Minneapolis, MN, Metro Transit celebrated Pride month with a new Pride bus wrapped by local artist Alexis Politz, whose design features the Twin Cities.

The bus was in service all month around town and took part in the Pride Parade June 28.