Telling the Story: How Chicago Is Building the Case for Transit Investment

LEANNE REDDEN
Executive Director
Chicago Regional Transportation Authority
Vice Chair, APTA

Public transit agencies nationwide are navigating a critical moment—not just of financial uncertainty, but of opportunity. In Chicago, where the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) oversees CTA, Metra, and Pace, we’re staring down a $771 million annual budget gap beginning in 2026.

We are hopeful that a solution will not only fill that gap but bring a larger annual investment to help transit in our region thrive and not just survive. While the fiscal cliff is real and urgent, it has also taught us that one of the most powerful tools we have as an agency is the story we tell.

Over the last two years, we’ve worked relentlessly to reframe the value of our transit system—not just in terms of economic output, but in the lived experiences of the people who rely on it every day. Riders don’t talk in budget terms. They talk about missing a shift because the bus didn’t come or being able to beat traffic to get home in time for dinner. And there are millions of stories from those who would be left behind or would benefit immensely depending on funding decisions. These are the stories we’ve elevated to build both public and political will.

That strategy—centered on facts, people, and action—has helped unite a broad base of support. In 2024, we highlighted six stories from across our region in a series of short films to bring attention to our Transit is the Answer strategic plan. We followed that up with a brief but powerful report on the economic impact of both cutting service and, alternatively, in investing it. We’ve centered rider outcomes throughout with a focus on transit that is faster, cleaner, safer, more affordable, and easier to use.

Timed with the start of a pivotal legislative session, the RTA launched the Save Transit Now campaign to engage riders directly in the fight to protect and improve the system. In just a few weeks, more than 10,000 letters were sent to state legislators through the campaign platform. At the same time, we’ve brought together more than 30 organizations—ranging from environmental advocates and disability rights groups to chambers of commerce—under the Transit is the Answer coalition. This effort has built powerful momentum behind our ask: $1.5 billion in sustainable annual funding and a reform to deliver faster, more reliable, more equitable transit across the region.

There’s a larger lesson here. Transit agencies need to meet people where they are—with plain language, bold visions, and meaningful opportunities to participate. And when we do that, we don’t just raise awareness, we build pressure, loyalty, and momentum.

As Vice Chair of APTA, I’ve seen these dynamics play out in cities across the country. Transit must compete in a crowded political and cultural environment. To win, we must tell a clear, compelling story of value and urgency—and ensure our riders are part of telling it. But we also need to show the broader impact. Transit supports not just mobility, but jobs, development, and economic competitiveness. In northeastern Illinois, the transit system drives $16 billion in annual economic activity, supports more than 120,000 jobs, and contributes $1 billion in tax revenue. These benefits ripple through communities—spurring growth in small businesses, real estate development near stations, and access to education and healthcare.

We know transit delivers: a $5 return for every $1 invested, lower emissions, reduced congestion, and expanded access to opportunity. But to continue delivering, we must secure the funding and flexibility to evolve. The economic benefits extend far beyond daily riders. Operating and expanding the system supports thousands of jobs in construction, operations, and manufacturing. In fact, 77 percent of federal transit funding flows directly to the private sector—fueling innovation and strengthening local economies. From the companies building railcars and buses to the workers upgrading tracks and stations, investment in transit is investment in America’s workforce.

Our experience in Chicago shows that even in crisis, transit can lead—when we put riders at the center of the message and recognize the essential role the system plays in driving regional growth.